Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia has released its six-round 2018 calendar.

As was the case in 2017, GT3 Cup Challenge will run all six rounds of its series on the Shannons Nationals program, meaning that it will open its season at The Bend Motorsport Park in mid-April.

The season will also continue to incorporate the three-race Jim Richards Endurance Championship, a series of one longer race at each of three yet to be specified rounds.

Porsche Cars Australia also confirmed that Michelin would become the control tyre supplier to and naming rights sponsor of GT3 Cup Challenge, extending the partnership it already holds with Carrera Cup Australia.

The series also welcomes a new specification of car in 2018, with the Type 991 GT3 Cup Car which had run in Carrera Cup filtering down to the second tier of Australian Porsche racing.

“GT3 Cup Challenge is set for a fantastic season in 2018,” said Porsche Cars Australia Director of Marketing & Motorsport Toni Andreevski.

“This new partnership with Michelin coincides with the introduction of the first generation Type 991 GT3 Cup car to the series, which was exclusively used in Carrera Cup up to the end of the 2017 season.

“We expect to see a strong field of both the first generation Type 991 GT3 Cup race car and its predecessor, the second generation Type 997 GT3 Cup racer.

“The series will also visit The Bend Motorsport Park for the season opening event, which brings additional interest for the start of the 2018 season.

“Porsche’s Australian motorsport program is going from strength to strength.

“Carrera Cup will feature a sold-out field of over 24 brand new 911 GT3 Cup cars and now we will launch GT3 Cup Challenge with a tremendous new partnership with Michelin.”

Michael branding will feature on the cars’ windscreen banners as part of the new partnership.

“It’s great for Michelin to return to GT3 Cup Challenge as both the 2018 Official Tyre Partner and Title Partner,” said Michelin Australia Marketing Manager Tim Hoare.

“We have a tremendous relationship with Porsche both in Australia and also globally, supplying tyres for each global Carrera Cup series and Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup through to Porsche’s LMP1 program in which, together, the two brands ultimately won three Le Mans 24 Hours and six World Championship titles.

“We’re proud to expand our partnership across both Porsche one-make series within Australia, GT3 Cup Challenge and Carrera Cup. It brings consistency for our brands and drivers within the series.

“GT3 Cup Challenge is a proven hotbed for driver talent and we’re thrilled to be part of the series moving forward.”

Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia 2018 Calendar