Porsche Targets Further GT3 Expansion in Australia, Japan

Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific has outlined an ambition to grow its GT3 presence in the Australian and Japanese markets after returning to the grid full-time in both GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS and SUPER GT this year.

The Weissach brand has an expanded footprint in the Asian region this year, as EMA returns to GTWC Australia action after a year away, and Seven x Seven Racing ends an absence in SUPER GT’s GT300 class dating back to the end of 2021.

Porsche is represented by a single car apiece in the two series, with Seven x Seven also contesting a full season in SRO Japan Cup and Super Taikyu, but PMAP managing director Alexandre Gibot says the company is hoping to attract further customers in Australia and Japan in the coming years with a successful 2025 season.

Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific selected driver Dorian Boccolacci was dispatched to join Shane Smollen at the wheel of the No. 911 EMA Porsche 911 GT3 R in GTWC Australia, starting in this month’s opening round at Phillip Island.

Gibot said that having Boccolacci compete in Australia, and the brand’s extensive technical support, is a statement of intent for the brand’s plans in the country.

“In Australia, we didn’t have a full-time presence for many years, for too long, because we didn’t have the right setup with the right partners,” Gibot told Sportscar365.

“We found the right partner to do it with EMA, because they have a good history with Porsche, and they were very keen to return full-time, so everything properly aligned.

“It’s just one car for now, but with a lot of support behind it. There is also the performance support that we have introduced this year; we have hired an engineer specifically to help our customers get the most performance they can from the car.

“It’s just a start and definitely we are looking to convince the Australian paddock that Porsche is back and has the proper support for customers. Having Dorian there is also a sign we are taking the championship seriously.”

Seven x Seven Racing is run by two-time GT300 champion Kiyoto Fujinami, who is also taking on driving duties alongside Tsubasa Kondo, the pair getting their campaign underway with a points finish in last weekend’s Okayama season opener.

While acknowledging strict limitations placed on new entries imposed by the GTA, Gibot expressed hopes for Porsche to match GT3 rivals Mercedes-AMG, Ferrari and Lamborghini in having multiple entries on the GT300 grid in future.

“Everyone at Porsche is very excited to be back in SUPER GT, not just here at PMAP,” said Gibot. “We definitely hope [to add more cars in future]. Some other manufacturers are there with multiple cars, and we would love to do that to.

“But we have to take a humble approach because it’s a completely different environment, there is a lot more factory support than just pure customer racing. There’s also the system with the franchises and licences, but if we show we have great performance and support, then why not have more customers?

“The more cars you have the more chance you have to achieve results. For us winning in SUPER GT would be something very special.”

Gibot also explained that the decision for PMAP to take over responsibility for GT3 activities from the respective local arms of the Porsche road car business was instrumental in getting cars back in GTWC Australia and SUPER GT full-time.

“Historically, since the inception of PMAP [in 2017], it has been internally between the factory and the local road car company,” Gibot said. “But it was never clear who was in charge of what when it came to GT3 and GT4.

“We had a good discussion with our colleagues in Australia, and we agreed in the middle of last year that everything relating to one-make series and GT4 in Australia belongs to Porsche Cars Australia, but the responsibility for GT3 is with PMAP.

“We had the same discussion in Japan. There, everything relating to GT3 and GT4 belongs to PMAP. It means SUPER GT and Japan Cup is handled by us.”