This coming weekend the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup competes for the first time as support to the Grand Prix of Turkey. The ninth championship round in Istanbul Park promises to be particularly exciting, thanks to the track’s interesting characteristics and also with the extreme competitiveness of the championship.
The 5.338 kilometre Grand Prix track on the Asian side of the Turkish city is regarded as one of the world’s most modern circuits. With the width of the track measuring up to 21.5 metres, the Supercup pilots have many chances to overtake. Particularly demanding is the roller-coaster nature of the track and the 14 corners, several of which must be taken virtually blind.
With just three rounds still to race, the pilots already have the finish straight in sight. In theory eight drivers could claim the title. Travelling to the Bosporus as leader is reigning champion Richard Westbrook (Great Britain, 125 points). The 32-year-old racing professional has held the championship lead since his win at the third round in Barcelona (Spain). Ranking second behind Westbrook is Damien Faulkner (Ireland) with 109 points. The 30-year-old won the 2006 Carrera Cup Great Britain series and in April this year claimed victory at the season-opening Supercup race in Bahrain. Third in the fight for the coveted title is Uwe Alzen (Germany, 91 points). The 40-year-old Porsche stalwart and Supercup champion of 1994 has secured two wins so far this season (race 2 in Bahrain and at Magny-Cours).
A head-to-head battle ensues behind the leading pack: Currently occupying fourth in the championship is the Supercup champion from 2005, Alessandro Zampedri (Italy, 81 points). Sitting two points behind the Italian is quadruple Supercup champ Patrick Huisman (Netherlands). The Dutchman has climbed the podium in second place three times so far this year. Hot on his tail ranking sixth and seventh respectively are Christian Menzel (Germany, 78 points) and the young Frenchman Nicolas Armindo (72 points). Eighth in the series is the ex-DTM pilot David Saelens from Belgium with 68 points.
The television station “Eurosport 2” broadcasts the championship race live on Sunday, 26 August, from 11.20 hours. Moreover, “Eurosport” shows highlights of the race on Sunday evening in its “Motorsports Weekend” programme.
Drivers classification after eight rounds:
1. Richard Westbrook (Great Britain), 125 points
2. Damien Faulkner (Ireland), 109 points3. Uwe Alzen (Germany), 91 points
6. Alessandro Zampedri (Italy), 81 points
4. Patrick Huisman (Netherlands), 79 points
7. Christian Menzel (Germany), 78 points
5. Nicolas Armindo (France), 72 points
8. David Saelens (Belgium), 68 points
9. Jeroen Bleekemolen (Netherlands), 47