Porsche to build on Bathurst success

SUCCESS in the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour has spurred Porsche on to contest the remainder of the 2017 Intercontinental GT Challenge.

The Intercontinental GT Challenge, the only global series exclusively for GT cars, is aimed at manufacturers who are encouraged to use local teams to represent them in four of the most important GT3 races on the motorsports planet.

Last year the concept won over several brands, with Audi winning the first title. Laurens Vanthoor, now a Factory Porsche driver, won the drivers' title.

Porsche supported two teams on the Mountain this February: Walkinshaw GT3 and Competition Motorsports. While the former was particularly unlucky and had to retire their leading car early in the race, the #12 Porsche 911 GT3 R of David Calvert-Jones, Patrick Long, Marc Lieb and Matt Campbell crossed the finish line in second position.

This means that Porsche heads to the Total 24 Hours of Spa second in the manufacturers standings of the Intercontinental GT Challenge, seven points behind leader Ferrari. Porsche will support two squads entering the classic Belgian race in the Porsche 911 GT3 R: KÜS Team75 Bernhard and Herberth Motorsport.

Following the annual 24-bour classic, an 8 hour event at Laguna Seca and the Sepang 12 Hour will complete the season.

Keeping with the theme of the series, local specialists will be chosen to defend the famous Porsche colours, in their bid to become this year’s manufacturers champion of the Intercontinental GT Challenge.

The Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour will return as the opening round of the 2018 Intercontinental GT Challenge next February 2-4.

Entries opened for the race earlier this week, with several leading teams confirming their intent to return.

Ticket sales also commenced on Monday, available at 2017 prices for a limited time.