AUS: Porsche GT3 Cup Australia 2011 calendar

2011 PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE AUSTRALIA SERIES PRESENTED BY MISSION FOODS ANNOUNCED

THE PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE AUSTRALIA SERIES presented by Mission Foods will make its first visit to Goulburn's Wakefield Park Raceway in 2011, bringing the sights and sounds of close Porsche racing back to the New South Wales Regional centre for the first time in several years.

The trip to Wakefield Park is the major change in a 2011 calendar that features a return to several now-traditional GT3 Cup Challenge circuits and a new spectacular season finale' at Phillip Island.

Wakefield Park hosted a round of the Porsche Carrera Cup several seasons ago, however will next year once again be inundated by a big field of the German supercars ready to go to battle on the tight, twisty 2.2km layout.

After the season opener in New South Wales, the series moves to Mallala in early May for its fourth visit to the regional circuit, North of Adelaide.

From the rural plains of South Australia to Sydney's urban sprawl, Eastern Creek will host the third round as the series begins its East-coast swing to finish the year.

Sandown raceway returns for the fourth round, after hosting the finale' this year, whilst the hugely popular Event at Morgan Park in Queensland will be the scene of round five.

This year's Morgan Park round featured competitive racing and the extended National circuit received rave reviews from the interstate competitors, as well as the large brigade of Queensland-based series regulars.

For the first time, the series finale' will be held at the high speed Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Victoria, with the 4.46km circuit set to return to the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge calendar after a notable absence in 2010.

Designed to be as well-balanced as possible for regular competitors who travel to each round, the six-round 2011 calendar features two Events each in Victoria and New South Wales, and one each in Queensland and South Australia.

GT3 Cup Challenge officials will announce the sporting regulations and race format changes in due course, with some changes anticipated after several months canvassing competitor feedback.

"We're very excited about the 2011 calendar for another exciting year of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia Series presented by Mission Foods," Category Manager Jodi Zylstra said.

"If Wakefield Park produces the kind of action we have seen on other shorter tracks over the past few years, like Mallala and Morgan Park, we should be in for quite a show.

"I know our New South Wales based competitors are looking forward to racing there and also going back to Eastern Creek. It's about half way between Melbourne and Queensland, where a lot of our cars are based, so we are expecting a big grid and some great racing."

Zylstra said that ending the year at one of the nation's best circuits offered something special to competitors looking to end the year on a high.

"We have not raced at 'The Island' for a season, so everyone is keen to head back. It's one of the great drivers tracks and it's almost as if it was built for Porsches.

"It will be a great way to cap off our season by having a big weekend at Phillip Island before our end of year function that night.

"Overall we are very pleased with the calendar and we are looking forward to again working with the Shannons Nationals and other 'core' categories to help grow and build the series further."

2011 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia Series presented by Mission Foods

Round 1 - Wakefield Park, NSW (1-3 April)
Round 2 - Mallala Raceway, SA (30 April - 1 May)
Round 3 - Eastern Creek, NSW (15 - 17 July)
Round 4 - Sandown, VIC (12 - 14 August)
Round 5 - Morgan Park, QLD (23 - 25 September)
Round 6 - Phillip Island, VIC (5 - 6 November)

-source: pcc aus