MOTORSPORT: Porsche for 2017 Supercars
Porsche Cayenne will be this year's touring car safety car, course car and medical carPorsche will enter the 2017 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship ... not as a competitor but the supplier of safety, course and medical cars.
Following the end of Lexus Australia's two-year contract, we understand Porsche Cars Australia (PCA) beat at least two other brands – excluding Alfa Romeo, which showed early interest with its new Giulia – to become the championship's official on-track support vehicle supplier, with its Cayenne.
The exclusive deal offers guaranteed television time through the 14-round championship and gives the rights-holder the chance to host guests and cycle about 2500 people through the cars in on-track rides.
Previous-generation Cayenne and Panamera models have served duty as medical cars before and the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia championship continues to be the primary support category of the Supercars championship, which for 2017 kicks off in Adelaide this weekend with the Clipsal 500.
“We are proud to be able to lead the way for the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship with the supply of the series’ Safety Car, Medical Car and Course Car throughout 2017,” said PCA Director of Public Relations and Motorsport, Paul Ellis.
“All Porsches are at home on the racetrack and each of these Cayennes will be more than capable to fulfil the task at hand – and will no doubt put a smile on the face of those tasked with driving them.
“This partnership reaffirms the strength of the relationship between Porsche and the Supercars Championship."
Porsche's Cayenne S Diesel, powered by a 283kW/850Nm 4.2-litre turbo-diesel V8, will feature at each of the 15 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship events as the Safety and Medical Cars. The Cayenne Diesel Platinum Edition will be the Course Car.
"We are proud and excited that Porsche has chosen to partner with Supercars for 2017 to showcase their high-performance range," said Virgin Australia Supercars Chief Executive Officer, James Warburton.
"We are absolutely delighted these ultra-high performance vehicles will be an integral part of our championship in 2017."
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