Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge series leader Harri Jones will make his Carrera Cup debut at its Gold Coast finale this month.

Jones enjoys a 92-point lead in the Outright standings with a round to go in his rookie season in GT3 Cup Challenge, having won the Australian Formula 3 Premier Series last year.

Andy McElrea, whose McElrea Racing team fields the 20-year-old in what is the feeder series to Porsche Payce Carrera Cup Australia, says the early step up is designed to blood Jones for a full season in the series next year.

“A year ago, we were excited to get our hands on Harri, the recently crowned F3 champion,” recalled McElrea.

“This year, he has not only lived up to, but exceeded our expectations with a healthy lead in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge with one weekend to go.

“He works in the team and runs our driver development simulator and is clearly a very smart kid and fast learner, but most importantly, blindingly fast, which is why he has earned the opportunity to do a round of the Carrera Cup championship in preparation for his rookie Carrera Cup campaign in 2020.

“We have no doubt he will follow former MR young guns Matt Campbell and Jaxon Evans up the Porsche pyramid and a full-time career in Europe.”

Jones himself, whose car will continue to be backed by HeliMods, said, “I’m absolutely stoked to be given the opportunity to make my Carrera Cup debut on the streets of the Surfers Paradise.

“It’s an iconic event and will give me a taste for what’s to come in 2020.”

Jones wrapped up the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy, a series of longer races within Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge, last month at Sandown.

His Carrera Cup debut will take place at the Vodafone Gold Coast 600 from October 25-27, before he shoots for victory in GT3 Cup Challenge as a whole at The Bend on November 15-17.