Dickinson, Castro Join Team Hardpoint EBM Effort

Team Hardpoint EBM has entered the inaugural season in Porsche Carrera Cup North America with a pair of entries, with Riley Dickinson and Efrin Castro competing for Pro and Pro-Am class honors, respectively.

Dickinson will pilot the No. 53 Porsche Austin Porsche 911 GT3 Cup and Castro behind the wheel of the No. 65 Fine Fare Supermarkets/GoDominicanRepublic.com Porsche.

The two-car effort plays to the strengths and heritage of Team Hardpoint EBM.

Team Hardpoint founder Rob Ferriol got his racing start in the IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA, the precursor to the Carrera Cup North America, while Earl Bamber Motorsport was a successful Porsche Carrera Cup Asia team founded by brothers Will Bamber and Earl Bamber.

Ferriol and Earl Bamber currently co-drive a Porsche 911 GT3 R for Team Hardpoint EBM in IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GT Daytona competition.

“This is yet another exciting chapter for Team Hardpoint EBM and we’re ready to get started,” Ferriol said.

“Riley and Efrin are both talented drivers but also good guys, which is important to our culture as we develop Team Hardpoint EBM.

“Porsche’s single make series is where I got my start, and was important to Will and Earl as they formed Earl Bamber Motorsport. With their knowledge and our drivers, we have high hopes for the season.”

Dickinson and Castro come to Team Hardpoint EBM as race winners in Porsche single-make competition.

The 18-year-old is a five-time race winner in the Platinum Class Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA.

Dickinson, who was also the 2020 Hurley Haywood Scholarship award winner, finished third in the season-long championship as a rookie in 2019 and was the runner-up a season ago.

He will participate in the Porsche Junior Program North America for up-and-coming drivers under the age of 24 competing in the Porsche Carrera Cup North America championship.

“This is going to be an exciting year for Porsche in North America, and I’m excited to be a part of it with Team Hardpoint EBM,” Dickinson said.

“Not only does the North American market have its first ever Carrera Cup, but we also have the opportunity to showcase the all-new Porsche 992 GT3 Cup Car.

“As a Texas native who lives in close proximity to Austin, I’m really proud to have Porsche Austin as a partner this season. Having a Texas-based Porsche dealership involved with the first ever Carrera Cup North America is something that is a perfect fit.

“I can’t thank everyone enough at Porsche Austin for their support. It truly means a lot and I’m looking forward to having a great year with them on the car.”

Castro finished as the runner-up in the Gold Cup class for previous generation cars in 2020.

The Dominican Republic-born driver just missed out on the Championship, earning six class wins and 15 podium finishes in the 16-race season.

“I’m looking forward to the Porsche Carrera Cup North America season with Team Hardpoint EBM,” Castro said.

“Last year was successful for me as a driver, but this season is going to be even more challenging. To get to work with Team Hardpoint EBM and the crew, have a great driver like Riley as my teammate, and represent my home in the Dominican Republic through GoDominicanRepublic dot com and Fine Fare Supermarkets is so much fun.

“I’m ready to start this season.”