2015 marks the 11th season of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama (one of the largest of Porsche’s 20 single-make Cup Challenges world-wide). The IMSA sanctioned races provide a unique and challenging environment for semi-pro and aspiring professional drivers alike. In fact, a recent champion from the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama, Madison Snow, has advanced to top-level GT competition in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship.
“We have enjoyed a productive, positive and very successful partnership with Porsche for this series and will proudly build upon that through 2017,” IMSA President and Chief Operating Officer Scott Atherton said. “The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama has consistently provided a strong entry point in IMSA competition for young, career-minded GT drivers – with many advancing over the years to the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship. The championship also provides an exciting platform for seasoned drivers who want to improve their skills in a professional environment with great competition in a truly iconic car.”
The 2015 season stops at eight different tracks and starts this weekend at the Sebring International Raceway. Following Sebring, the championship visits seven other venues across North America with two 45-minute rounds at each event to round out the 16-round schedule.
The Porsche GT3 Cup By Yokohama Is Divided Into Two Classes
1. The Platinum Cup features 2014 and 2015 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars based on the seventh, and current, generation of the street car.
2. The Gold Cup is comprised of the previous iteration (model years 2010-2013) of Porsche’s 911 GT3 Cup
In addition, a “Masters Championship” is run in both Platinum and Gold classes. Each class is recognized with its own podium awards ceremony at the end of every race and individual champions at the end of every season.
“Extending our partnership with IMSA is testimony to the true nature of Porsche,” said Jens Walther, president and CEO of Porsche Motorsport North America.”We believe in long-term, mutually beneficial relationships. The affiliation we have forged with IMSA has helped make the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama an integral element of the Porsche one-make Cup lineup of more than 20 Cups worldwide. It has become a remarkable development tool for both experienced and young drivers and teams. That has come through the long-term vision of IMSA, their corporate partners, such as Yokohama, and the teams that have long been the foundation of the series. Without all of them, especially our drivers, this series would not be possible.”