The first of twelve championship rounds takes off on the Grand Prix circuit of Bahrain, opening the new racing season of the Porsche Michelin Supercup. Thirty drivers from twelve countries roll to the start. Spearheading the field is current champion Alessandro Zampedri (Italy). Like last season, the former Indy race driver competes for the Lechner Racing School Team. Current vice-champion Patrick Huisman (Netherlands) also returns to the Porsche Michelin Supercup for 2006. For this season, the four-time champion and record-winner signed on with the Farnbacher Racing team.

After securing three victories last season, David Saelens (Belgium) is regarded as one of the 2006 favourites. Together with Germans Uwe Alzen and Christian Menzel, he makes up a trio of touring car specialists who proved their talent in top series like the DTM. Moreover, Alzen won the Porsche Supercup back in 1994 after claiming the national Carrera Cup in 1992. Menzel travels to Bahrain as the reigning champion of the Carrera Cup Deutschland. In 2004 the German finished as runner-up in the Porsche Michelin Supercup.

After seven years as Formula 1 test and race driver, Luciano Burti switched to touring cars in 2005 and contested the Stock Car V8 Championship in his homeland Brazil. The 31-year-old now takes up the Porsche Michelin Supercup challenge. Another competitor with a wealth of racing experience is Duncan Huisman (Netherlands): Patrick’s younger brother won the Dutch Touring Car Championship three times and the Belcar Championship once. In 2005 Duncan secured runner-up honours at the Dutch 911 GT3 Cup Challenge. Damien Faulkner from Ireland comes to the Persian Gulf as champion of the Carrera Cup Great Britain. Another well-known Porsche specialist to compete on Bahrain’s demanding international circuit is Nicolas Armindo from France. The 23-year-old gave an impressive performance last season in the Carrera Cup Deutschland, finishing the season as vice-champion.

Last year’s Bahrain winner, Richard Westbrook from London, joins the circle of favourites for 2006. He turned the fastest qualifying lap here in 2m:04.269s, achieved the lap record with 2m:05.650s and won the race ahead of Patrick Huisman. Christian Menzel crossed the finish line in third.

Exclusive to the Porsche Michelin Supercup is the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup featuring the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake PCCB. With 400 hp, a sequential six-speed gearbox and weighing just 1,120 kilogrammes, this racing sportscar is a challenge for even the most experienced driver. Twelve laps make up the sprint on the 5.4 kilometre Bahrain International circuit. Air temperatures of over 40 degrees celcius placed competitors under stress last year in their closed 911s. No matter in which temperatures the race will take off, temperatures are guaranteed to be cooler this Friday evening when spectators get the unique chance to witness the Porsche 911s during a “night practice“ in a fascinating atmosphere. Afterwards, the pitlane will be opened for fans to experience the Porsche racing vehicles at close quarters.

The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (based on the 997 model) for the 2006 makes cups

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8th March, 2006
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Audi Names Driver Teams for Le Mans
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Precious Metal - The Peugeot 407 Coupe
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Ford Announces New Racing Manager
7th March, 2006
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GM to Sell 17.4% Equity Stake in Suzuki
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New Saab 9-5 Flagship
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Ford Unveils Tough Truck Concept in Brisbane
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New Volkswagen Passat At Brisbane Motor Show
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Japan's Mazda RX-8 'True Red Style'
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