Discussions are already underway for Australia to host a combined Porsche Carrera Cup Australia and Asia round next year following the success of the weekend’s collaboration in Sepang.
The two one-make Porsche series hosted their second combined event at the Malaysian Formula 1 venue, which was seen as the return leg after Australia hosted Carrera Cup Asia at Sydney Motorsport Park last year.
The concept has proven successful among competitors from both championships which was further highlighted by a well received event in Sepang last year.
Such has been the success of the concept, series bosses are evaluating the possibility for Carrera Cup Asia heading back to Australia for a round next season.
Calendars for both championships are yet to be formed with Carrera Cup Australia currently in consultation with Supercars regarding its 2018 schedule.
This season the series has hosted five of its eight rounds on the Supercars bill.
“It has been a historic moment for Carrera Cup Australia to have a round outside of our shores and to do it at Sepang with Carrera Cup Asia, who have made us feel tremendously welcome,” Porsche Cars Australia Director of Public Relations and Motorsport, Paul Ellis told Speedcafe.com.
“Carrera Cup Asia have hosted us this year and the original thinking was to revisit the collaboration in 2019, but such has been the level off desire and excitement from teams in both championships, there is certainly a strong interest to pursue the possibility of hosting the Asians again in 2018.
“If something works and the customers like it then we should try to do it.
“Our calendar hasn’t been determined, we are in consultation with Supercars. There are however some rounds that are locked in for example the Australian Grand Prix.
“Now we need to take the interest from Carrera Cup Asia to come to Australia into consideration.”
Head of Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Alexandre Gibot says his competitors are extremely keen to race in Australia again and is open to possible venues, including a return to Sydney Motorsport Park.
“We are in a period of the year where you prepare the calendar for next year, for sure the desire to come to Australia is there from our side and from Australia also,” Gibot told Speedcafe.com.
“They are happy to continue this collaboration and now we need to see how we can make it work for next year.
“We have to sit down and see where is the best place do this.
“We have had very good feedback on this joint event and that is why we need to go in this direction.
“It (the location) is completely open. I know Australia has eight events that are all different, and I think there is plenty of choice and Sydney is one of the options.
“Every event is a highlight, there is the Melbourne Grand Prix, Bathurst, Adelaide, Sydney and Surfers Paradise. There are plenty of unique events, we are considering all locations.
“To race in Australia is something different and to have the atmosphere of the Supercars and the crowd was a good weekend.”
While there is a desire to put a combined event together in Australia next year, the prospect of Carrera Cup Australia returning to Asia in 2019 is also a possibility, although a future trip will be dependent on budgets.
The two championships have shared the costs for the latest event at Sepang.
“It depends on what happens next year,” Ellis added.
“Firstly Australia needs to host the Asians again and whenever that is, it would be nice for us to be hosted by them the following year.
“It all comes down to costs and budgets that need to be generated by Porsche Carrera Cup Australia and by the teams.”
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