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The Porsche Pirelli Supercup, the fastest, most enduring and most competetive category of one-make motor racing in the world - is coming to the 1999 Qantas Australian Grand Prix.
It will be the first trip outside Europe for the series, which is run entirely in conjunction with Formula One and in 1999 will be the main support event to the FIA Formula One World Championship.
The potent Porsches produce 370 horsepower and accelerate from 0 -100km/h in approximately 4.5 seconds on their way to a top speed of 280km/h.
They will be on track every day of the Qantas Australian Grand Prix program at Albert Park from March 4 – 7, with practice sessions on the Thursday, qualifying and a race on Friday, another qualifying session on Saturday, and a final, fat-out sprint race on Sunday morning just before the Formula One race.
Twenty-eight brand new, 911 GT3 Cup cars are being air-freighted to Australia for an international field of drivers. Star local drivers are expected to be slotted in to some cars, with the names to be announced closer to the Grand Prix. Prominent guest drivers – actors, pop stars or athletes – also are often invited to compete in the Supercup.
All cars are absolutely identical technically, from their Pirelli tyres to their computerised engine management systems, which will be allocated at random.
Lightweight Kevlar panels, including an adjustable rear wing and a deeper front spoiler, distinguish the 911 GT3 Cup cars from regular 911 Carrera models.
The Porsche Pirelli Supercup is not a series for 'Gentlemen' racers - it is tough racing for 'dream' sports cars, with ex-Formula One drivers competing against GT and touring car pros, up-and-coming 'hot-shots' and gifted amateurs.
This year, drivers from 14 countries competed in the Porsche Pirelli Supercup. At the final round, 15 drivers qualified within one second! And sometimes the 12 best cars finish within a second of each other!
New world driving champion Mika Hakkinen was a dual Porsche Supercup winner at Monaco and Budapest in 1993, while Ralf Schumacher finished third in the Budapest Supercup race in 1995. Other former Formula One drivers who have competed in Porsche Pirelli Supercup include Jacques Laffite, Bruno Giacomelli, Jochen Mass, Patrick Tambay, Jan Magnusen, Thierry Boutsen and Stefan Johansson. Scotsman Allan McNish, winner of the Le Mans 24-hour sport car classic for Porsche in 1998, has been a Supercup racer too.
Motorcycle aces have also driven the VIP Carreras in the Porsche Supercup. They include 500cc Motorcycle World Champion Kevin Schwantz, Luca Cadalora, Loris Capirossi and Giacomo Agostini.
Past Supercup celebrities include, Formula One team owner Eddie Jordan, tennis ace Henri Leconte singer/songwriter Chris Rea and ex-World Rally Champion Walter Rohrl.
The Chief Executive of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, John Harnden, said the Porsche Pirelli Supercup was a "fantastic addition to the program as the exotic sports car category for the 1999 Qantas Australian Grand Prix."
"The Porsche Pirelli Supercup has developed over a number of years into a very competitive series and has now become the primary support event to Formula One – that speaks for itself," Mr Harnden said.
"The slogan for the 1999 Qantas Australian Grand Prix is Formula One With The Lot, and the Supercup is an integral part of presenting just that – an event with the premier form of motor sport, Formula One, and much, much more. The Lot!".
The Managing Director of Porsche Cars Australia, Michael Winkler, said bringing the 1999 Porsche Pirelli Supercup to Melbourne was Porsche's contribution to the Australian Grand Prix as the opening round of the 50th anniversary year of Formula One.
"It is also Porsche's way of thanking the thousands of Australians who contributed to the success of our recent 50th Anniversary celebrations," Mr Winkler said.
"The Porsche Pirelli Supercup is the world's fastest and most exciting one-make racing series and Australians are amongst the world's greatest Porsche enthusiasts. It will be a big hit."
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