Porsche had released their calendar for the 2023 Michelin Sprint Challenge which sees the category support two Supercars rounds and return to the Bathurst International.
New Zealander Zac Stichbury will aim to hit the ground running in the season-opener at Phillip Island over the weekend of March 3-5, coincidentally where the season concluded last year.
The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 991.2) car, which is again the racer of choice for Pro and Pro-Am classes, is well suited for the fast, flowing nature of the circuit. The same can be said for Class B’s 991.1 generation Porsches.
From here, Round 2 takes the series north to a newly revamped Queensland Raceway on 28-30 April before heading south again, this time to Tasmania.
Here they’ll link up with Supercars to support the Tasmania SuperSprint on 19-21 May before rejoining the series in New South Wales for the Sydney SuperNight on 28-30 July.
The penultimate round takes place at The Bend on 13-15 October before the season concludes at the Bathurst International, where they’ll play support to the GT World Challenge on 09-11 November.
It’s a massive year for the category, at least three of the rounds set to appear on our screens in New Zealand. The significance is not lost on Porsche Cars Australia Motorsport Manager Barry Hay.
“Despite many of the 2023 Speed Series dates not being feasible for our teams logistically [in 2023] – due to their proximity to Carrera Cup rounds – we feel confident we’ve put together an unbelievable calendar with the support of a range of promoters, on some of the country’s biggest events,” he said.
“A real highlight for all our teams, drivers and partners [in 2023] will be not only the two Repco Supercar Championship rounds but returning to the Bathurst International event in November next year for our season finale. Phillip Island and The Bend Motorsport Park circuits are both hugely popular with our drivers and well suited to our 911 GT3 Cup cars.”
Stichbury and co can now begin preparation ahead of the season-opener in just 76 days.
2023 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Calendar
| Rd1 | Phillip Island | March 3-5 |
| Rd2 | Queensland Raceway | April 28-30 |
| Rd3 | Tasmania SuperSprint | May 19-21 |
| Rd4 | Sydney SuperNight | July 28-30 |
| Rd5 | The Bend | October 13-15 |
| Rd6 | Bathurst International | November 9-11 |
