IMSA announces the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada

The International Motor Sports Association partners with Porsche NA and Porsche Cars Canada for new series

BRASELTON, Ga (March 28, 2011) – The International Motor Sports Association today announced the 20th and newest racing series to take on the historic mantle of Porsche GT3 Cups – the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada.

The new series is a partnership between IMSA, Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA) and Porsche Cars Canada Ltd. (PCL), with three events comprising the inaugural season: May 14-15 at Calabogie Motorsports Park (Calabogie, Ontario), June 3-5 at Circuit ICAR (Mirabel, Québec) and ending the season with their American counterparts at the Mobil 1 Presents the Grand Prix of Mosport July 22- 24.

The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada will be contested exclusively in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car – one of the world’s most successful race cars. Developed for Porsche one-make cups worldwide, the 911 GT3 Cup car is based on the production 911 GT3 RS road car. Its engine is largely identical to the production engine of the 911 GT3 RS, with the same output of 450 bhp and the same maximum engine speed of 8,500 rpm.

“Canada has always been a part of the Porsche motorsport family,” said Joe Lawrence, President and CEO of Porsche Canada. “Canada was the stage for one of the most competitive one-make Porsche series in the 1980s and Mosport has hosted the American IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama nearly every year. It’s great to once again have a Canadian series and Porsche Canada looks forward to playing a more active role in the worldwide Porsche motorsports community.”

“I’m thrilled that we were able to put together the 20th Porsche brand trophy series in conjunction with Porsche Canada and the International Motor Sports Association,” said Jens Walther, President of Porsche Motorsport North America. “The fact that there is enough interest to start their own Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge is not only a testament to the reputation of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race car, but of Porsche Canada’s commitment to the 911 market and IMSA's willingness to meet the demand of the Canadian motorsports market.“

"This is a great opportunity to promote driver development and provide veteran drivers a professional racing experience in Canada,” said IMSA Vice President of Operations Scot Elkins. “We look forward to working with PMNA and Porsche Canada to build this new racing series."

-source: imsa