The Porsche Supercup (officially known as Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, known as Porsche Michelin Supercup prior to 2007) is an international one-make

sports car racing Sports car racing is a form of motorsport road racing which utilises sports cars that have two seats and enclosed wheels. They may be purpose-built prototypes or grand tourers based on road-going models. Broadly speaking, sports car racing is ...

series supporting the

FIA FIA is the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (English: International Automobile Federation), the world's governing body for all forms of motor sport where four or more wheels are used. Fia or FIA may also refer to: People * Fia Backst ...

Formula One World Championship Formula One (also known as Formula 1 or F1) is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The World Drivers' Championship, ...

organized by Porsche Motorsport GmbH. Porsche Supercup drivers compete in identical

Porsche 911 GT3 The Porsche 911 GT3 is a high-performance homologation model of the Porsche 911 sports car. It is a line of high-performance models, which began with the 1973 911 Carrera RS. The GT3 has had a successful racing career in the one-make national ...

Cup cars. On average, 24 race cars take part in each race. Most circuits visited by the series are European, although circuits in

Bahrain Bahrain ( ; ; ar, البحرين, al-Bahrayn, locally ), officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, ' is an island country in Western Asia. It is situated on the Persian Gulf, and comprises a small archipelago made up of 50 natural islands and an ...

United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates (UAE; ar, اَلْإِمَارَات الْعَرَبِيَة الْمُتَحِدَة ), or simply the Emirates ( ar, الِْإمَارَات ), is a country in Western Asia (The Middle East). It is located at th ...

, the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

and

Mexico Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...

have been included in the calendar as well.

History

Since 1993 the Porsche Michelin Supercup has run as support to the

. The number of races has grown from the original nine to total 13 in 2006, although decreasing to 11 in 2017 and eight in 2020.

Regulations

Two sets of

slick tyre A racing slick or slick tyre is a type of tyre that has a smooth tread used mostly in auto racing. The first production slick tyre was developed by M&H Tires in the early 1950s for use in drag racing. By eliminating any grooves cut into the tre ...

s may be used per car each weekend. The number of

wet tyre Rain tires or wet tires ("tyres" in British English, commonly shortened to wets) are special tyres used in motorsport in wet weather as opposed to a slick tyre used in dry conditions. They are very similar in many ways to the tyres found on norma ...

s is unlimited. The tyres are identical for all competitors and are not permitted to be pre-warmed or chemically treated. The in-race pit stop is also allowed if in case of ''force majeure'' like tyre puncture, body damage, weather conditions changing and others but in-race pit stop is not mandatory due to shorter race duration and also refuelling is not permitted during race only.

Racing flags

These are the racing flags that usually used in every Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup race weekends:

Racing cars

Chassis

Porsche Supercup cars adhere to a rear-engined

rear-wheel-drive Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is a form of engine and transmission layout used in motor vehicles, in which the engine drives the rear wheels only. Until the late 20th century, rear-wheel drive was the most common configuration for cars. Most rear-wheel ...

design. A

roll cage A roll cage is a specially engineered and constructed frame built in (or sometimes around, in which case it is known as an exo cage) the passenger compartment of a vehicle to protect its occupants from being injured or killed in an accident, pa ...

serves as a

carbon-fibre Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (American English), carbon-fibre-reinforced polymers (Commonwealth English), carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics, carbon-fiber reinforced-thermoplastic (CFRP, CRP, CFRTP), also known as carbon fiber, carbon compo ...

space frame In architecture and structural engineering, a space frame or space structure ( 3D truss) is a rigid, lightweight, truss-like structure constructed from interlocking struts in a geometric pattern. Space frames can be used to span large areas with ...

chassis A chassis (, ; plural ''chassis'' from French châssis ) is the load-bearing framework of an artificial object, which structurally supports the object in its construction and function. An example of a chassis is a vehicle frame, the underpart ...

and is covered by a multiple-gauge

sheet metal Sheet metal is metal formed into thin, flat pieces, usually by an industrial process. Sheet metal is one of the fundamental forms used in metalworking, and it can be cut and bent into a variety of shapes. Thicknesses can vary significantly; ex ...

body. They have a closed cockpit, fenders, a rear wing, and an aerodynamic splitter. Each team may purchase cars and engines from other teams. The car has a front

MacPherson strut The MacPherson strut is a type of automotive suspension system that uses the top of a telescopic damper as the upper steering pivot. It is widely used in the front suspension of modern vehicles, and is named for American automotive engineer Ear ...

suspension Suspension or suspended may refer to: Science and engineering * Suspension (topology), in mathematics * Suspension (dynamical systems), in mathematics * Suspension of a ring, in mathematics * Suspension (chemistry), small solid particles suspend ...

, and a rear

Multi-link suspension A multi-link suspension is a type of vehicle suspension with one or more longitudinal arms. A wider definition can consider any independent suspensions having three control links or more multi-link suspensions. These arms do not have to be of eq ...

Brake disc A disc brake is a type of brake that uses the calipers to squeeze pairs of pads against a disc or a "rotor" to create friction. This action slows the rotation of a shaft, such as a vehicle axle, either to reduce its rotational speed or to hold ...

s must be made of steel and may not exceed diameter. The only aerodynamic components on the vehicles are the front splitter,

rear wing A spoiler is an automotive aerodynamic device whose intended design function is to 'spoil' unfavorable air movement across a body of a vehicle in motion, usually described as turbulence or drag. Spoilers on the front of a vehicle are often ca ...

, solid polycarbonate glass window in the windows only, and side skirts. The use of rear diffusers,

vortex generator A vortex generator (VG) is an aerodynamic device, consisting of a small vane usually attached to a lifting surface (or airfoil, such as an aircraft wing) or a rotor blade of a wind turbine.canards, wheel well vents, hood vents, and undertrays are prohibited. Porsche Supercup cars are required to have at least 1 working windshield wiper installed on the car for all tracks as a part of the road racing rules package.

Evolution of Porsche Supercup cars

911 Cup (Type 964)

For the inaugural 1993 Porsche Supercup season the 964 Cup (used in Carrera Cup from 1992) based on the 964 Carrera RS (itself based on the earlier 1990 964 Carrera Cup) was the vehicle of choice. Compared to the road car the Cup race car features a similarly stripped-out interior and retains the catalytic converter, 18 inch magnesium wheels and ABS but was lowered by 20mm, featured a full roll cage and no passenger seat.

911 Cup 3.8 (Type 993)

Emmanuel Collard Porsche Supercup 1995 Silverstone

Based on the 993 Carrera 2 and used in the Porsche Supercup for seasons 1994–1997. Updated in 1995 with aero parts from the new Carrera RS, followed by a five-horsepower increase to at 6,200 rpm in 1996. 216 units were produced in total.

911 GT3 Cup (Type 996)

Dominique Dupuy Porsche Carrera Cup France 1999

Raced in the Porsche Supercup seasons 1998–2001. Basis for the upcoming 996 GT3 road car, featuring a 3.6 litre boxer engine on basis of the GT1 block. For the 1999 season the engine output was increased to and at 6,250 rpm. The car managed the 0- sprint in four seconds, with a top speed of . For the 2001 season the GT3 Cup received modified aerodynamics including an enlarged rear wing and improved cooling.

911 GT3 Cup (Type 996 II)

13 Matthew Turnbull (VIC), Porsche GT3 Cup

Raced in the Porsche Supercup seasons 2002–2004. For 2002 the GT3 Cup received several changes based on the 996.2 Carrera and Turbo models, including Turbo-style headlights. The new body significantly improves aerodynamics and cooling. Engine output is increased to and , further changes include improved transmission cooling, a lightened exhaust system and other light-weighing measures across the car. For the 2004 season the car received further upgrades. Engine output is once again increased slightly, to at 7,200 rpm and at 6,500 rpm. Gear ratios of fourth, fifth and sixth gears have been shortened. An 89-litre fuel tank improves endurance racing capabilities. In the interior changes are made to enable the use of the

HANS device A HANS device (head and neck support device) is a type of head restraint, a safety device in motorsports. Head restraints are mandatory when competing with most major motorsports sanctioning bodies. They reduce the likelihood of head or neck inj ...

911 GT3 Cup (Type 997)

Raced in the Porsche Supercup seasons 2005–2009. The 997-based Cup car features significantly improved aerodynamics and lightweight

CFRP CFRP may refer to: * Carbon fiber reinforced polymer, a material * CFRP-FM CHLC-FM is a Class B FM station broadcasting on the frequency of 97.1 MHz using an omnidirectional antenna. The station has a hot adult contemporary format. CHLC- ...

parts, including doors, rear body panels, engine deck lid and rear wing. Parts of the suspension are adopted from the GT3 RSR.

911 GT3 Cup 3.8 (Type 997 II)

Raced in the Porsche Supercup seasons 2010–2012. Based on 997.2 GT3 RS, the car features a new 3.8 litre engine, an enlarged rear wing adopted from 911 GT3 Cup S measuring , additional Unibal joints on the track control arms and front and rear sword-shaped anti-roll bars with seven position settings each and a steering wheel mounted Info Display with 6 switches. The vehicle was unveiled at the 2009

Frankfurt Motor Show The International Motor Show Germany or International Mobility Show Germany, in German known as the ''Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung'' (''IAA'' – International Automobile Exhibition), is one of the world's largest mobility shows. It cons ...

and deliveries began in the same year. The base MSRP of the European model was €149,850 (before tax).

911 GT3 Cup (Type 991)

2014 Porsche Carrera Cup HockenheimringII Connor De Phillippi by 2eight 8SC2840

Based on the Porsche 911 GT3 type 991, this 911 GT3 Cup was used in the Porsche Supercup for the seasons 2013–2016. The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Type 991 features the new gearbox paddle-shifters for the first time.

911 GT3 Cup (Type 991 II)

Raced in the Porsche Supercup from the 2017 season until the end of the 2020 season. Based on the latest 911 GT3 road car it features a larger 4.0-litre flat-six boxer engine, improved aerodynamics and an enlarged escape-hatch in the roof and is priced at €189,900 excluding taxes.

911 GT3 Cup (Type 992)

The standard Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 992) raced in the Porsche Supercup starting for the first time in the 2021 season and is expected to race for the next few seasons. Based on the latest 911 GT3 road car, the 911 GT3 Cup Type 992 engines will remain same as 911 GT3 Cup (Type 991 II) but the power output will increased slightly from .

Transmission, gearbox and clutches

For the transmission gearboxes, all Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup cars currently utilize a

semi-automatic transmission A semi-automatic transmission is a "theoretical" multiple-speed transmission where part of its operation is automated (typically the actuation of the clutch), but the driver's input would be required to launch the vehicle from a standstill and to ...

with a 6-speed gearbox (including reverse gear) operated by paddle shifters and supplied by in-house Porsche since the 2013 season. From 1993 to 2012, all Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup cars used

sequential manual transmission A sequential manual transmission, also known as a sequential gearbox, or a sequential transmission, is a type of non-synchronous manual transmission used mostly for motorcycles and racing cars. It produces faster shift times than traditional ...

with a 6-speed gearbox operated by a conventional sequential shifter. The clutch of all Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup cars is a sintered metal-plate clutch operated by foot-pedal and provided by

ZF Sachs ZF Sachs AG, also known as Fichtel & Sachs, was founded in Schweinfurt in 1895 and was a well-known German family business. At its last point as an independent company, the company name was Fichtel & Sachs AG. In 1997, the automotive supplier wa ...

. The mechanical limited-slip differential is also allowed and constant velocity joint tripod driveshafts are also used. All Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup cars drivetrain is currently rear-engine with rear-wheel-drive layout.

Cockpit and safety components

For the safety equipment, all Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup cars seating utilizes racing bucket driver's seat with 6-point seat belts. The steering wheel of all Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup cars are made exclusively in-house by Porsche Motorsport GmbH. All Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup cars are also equipped with

Cosworth Cosworth is a British automotive engineering company founded in London in 1958, specialising in high-performance internal combustion engines, powertrain, and electronics for automobile racing (motorsport) and mainstream automotive industrie ...

Omega Intelligent Colour Display units since 2013 until 2020 season until it was replaced by all-new larger in-house Porsche Motorsport display units from 2021 season onwards. The fire extinguisher of all Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup cars are included in the bottom right-hand side underneath. The interior rear-view mirror is still currently used since 1993 until present. The cockpit of all Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup cars are fully protected by doors, windshields and roofs (shielded by polycarbonate glass for windscreen, side windows and rear windows including also windshield wipers for rain weather only in the windscreen) because of current coupé-type car.

Championships

Driver championship

Points are assigned to the first 15 finishers of each race and all races count towards the championship. To receive points, a driver must compete in multiple races per season. Since 2008, there have been two bonus points awarded for the driver who secures pole position in qualifying. In the case of a tie, Porsche Supercup will determine the champion based on the most first-place finishes. If there is still a tie, Porsche Supercup will determine the champion by the most second-place finishes, then the most third-place finishes, etc., until a champion is determined. Porsche Supercup will apply the same system to other ties in the rankings at the close of the season and at any other time during the season.

Team championship

The points of the two best drivers of each team are added up. At the end of the season

Porsche Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, usually shortened to Porsche (; see #Pronunciation, below), is a German automobile manufacturer specializing in high-performance sports cars, SUVs and sedans, headquartered in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany ...

rewards the three best placed teams with prize money.

Prize money

In 2006 and 2007,

Porsche AG Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, usually shortened to Porsche (; see #Pronunciation, below), is a German automobile manufacturer specializing in high-performance sports cars, SUVs and sedans, headquartered in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany ...

pays around 820,000

euro The euro ( symbol: €; code: EUR) is the official currency of 19 out of the member states of the European Union (EU). This group of states is known as the eurozone or, officially, the euro area, and includes about 340 million citizens . ...

s to drivers and teams. Per race the winner receives 9,000

s, the runner-up 7,500 euros and the third placed driver 6,500 euros. For a 15th place 1,400 euros are paid. Additionally, the 2006 or 2007 champion receives a Porsche road car. The driver with the fastest laps will be given a premium watch from Porsche Design. In 2015, Porsche says it pays "more than 730,000 Euros in prize money to drivers and teams. In addition, the overall winner receives a special prize. The winner of the rookie classification receives an additional prize of 30,000 Euros providing he/she reregisters for the following year’s Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup."

Champions

Dutch driver

Patrick Huisman Patrick Huisman (born 23 August 1966) is a Dutch auto racing driver. He won the Porsche Supercup one-make sports car series four times between 1997 and 2000, and resulted second in 2005, third in 1996 and 2006, and fourth in 1995, 2003, 2006, 2007 ...

is the most successful driver in the championship, having won four straight titles between 1997 and 2000. Huisman's record is followed by

René Rast René Rast (born 26 October 1986 in Minden) is a German professional racing driver and the 2017, 2019 and 2020 DTM champion. He previously drove for Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler in Formula E from 2019 to 2021 before Audi left the sport at the end o ...

and

Michael Ammermüller Michael Ammermüller (born 14 February 1986) is a racing driver from Germany. After competing in various junior formulae, he became a test and reserve driver for the Red Bull Racing Formula One team in the 2007 season. Following this, he repr ...

with three titles and

Jeroen Bleekemolen Jeroen Bleekemolen (born 23 October 1981 in Heemstede) is a Dutch professional racing driver. In the Chrysler Viper GTS-R he drove in the FIA GT Championship, with great success. He competed in the very competitive German Formula Three Champion ...

Richard Westbrook Richard Westbrook (born 10 July 1975) is a British professional racing driver noted for his success in racing Porsche and International sports cars. As a junior, he attended St Joseph's College, Ipswich. He has won both the Porsche Supercup i ...

, and

Larry ten Voorde Larry ten Voorde (born 2 October 1996, in Enschede) is a Dutch racing driver who won the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in 2020 and 2021. Racing record Career summary * Season still in progress. Complete Porsche Supercup results (key Key or The ...

with two titles each. The reigning champion is the Luxembourgish driver

Dylan Pereira Dylan Pereira (born 10 June 1997 in Luxembourg City) is a Portuguese Luxembourger racing driver. He started his career on sim racing (iRacing). A long-time Porsche driver, he is the current champion of the Porsche Supercup The Porsche Supercu ...

Popularity

At the Grand Prix circuits during 2006 an average of 125,000 spectators witnessed the action from the grandstands at each round. According to

races attracted 22 million TV viewers worldwide, most of them in Europe where

Eurosport Eurosport is a group of pay television networks in Europe and parts of Asia. Owned by Warner Bros. Discovery through Warner Bros. Discovery Sports#Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe properties, its international sports unit, it operates two ...

provides regular coverage.

Porsche Carrera Cup

Porsche also runs many regional and national one-make production racing series around the globe.

References

External links

*
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Online Magazine
;Carrera Cup
The Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain997 CupThe Porsche Carrera Cup AsiaThe Porsche Carrera Cup Asia SeasonThe Porsche Carrera Cup Scandinavia (in swedish)
{{Porsche Stock car racing Recurring sporting events established in 1993