Porsche Mobil1 Supercup celebrates premiere in Abu Dhabi

The overall winner of the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup will be crowned in the Middle East. For the 2009 season finale, the world’s fastest international brand trophy series will race as support to Formula 1 on the new Yas Island Grand Prix circuit in Abu Dhabi and celebrates its premiere in the United Arab Emirates with two races on 31st October and 1st November.

The contract between Porsche and Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management (ADMM) for the support races as part of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in the UAE runs until 2011. Wolfgang Dürheimer, Member of the Executive Board for Research and Development at Porsche AG, and Richard Cregan, CEO of the ADMM, signed the contract in the lead up to the German Grand Prix. After the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup competes this year, the 2009 inaugurated GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East will make guest appearances in 2010 and 2011 on the 5.55 kilometre Formula 1 circuit in the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

“Porsche has been an integral part of Formula 1 events for over 17 years, and we are delighted to now join the action at the new race in Abu Dhabi,” said Wolfgang Dürheimer after signing the agreement on the Nürburgring. Deesch Papke, Managing Director at Porsche Middle East & Africa, added: “Abu Dhabi is one of the largest markets for Porsche in the Middle East. The races in this region where many Porsche customers live, will most certainly contribute to the further enhancement of the Porsche brand.”

All teams contesting this year’s Porsche Mobil1 Supercup as well as the teams that have entered by 11 September for the 2010 season will compete in Abu Dhabi. Due to the Abu Dhabi event, the 2009 calendar now features two more races, making it a total of 13. For both rounds in the Gulf, championship points and full prize money will be allocated. Porsche and ADMM will assist the teams with the logistics and costs so that the extra races do not overstretch the teams’ budgets.

“All team bosses in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup have spontaneously agreed to extend the season,” said Jens Walther, Head of Porsche Makes Cups. “The drivers and teams are looking forward to the new track and the additional races in this interesting region.”