Porsche will compete at the Motul Sepang 12 Hours in Malaysia on December 7-10 following the German manufacturer’s commitment to support teams at each of this season’s four Intercontinental GT Challenge rounds.

It represents a significant development for the event, which last season featured the likes of Audi, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren and Mercedes-AMG, as well as Porsche, in its GT3 ranks.

In 2016 the factory-assisted Manthey Racing squad’s two 991 GT3 Rs finished second and fifth at the Malaysian F1 venue, which is once again preparing to host the Intercontinental GT Challenge season finale. The race will follow blue riband long-distance GT events held in Australia – the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour – Europe – the Total 24 Hours of Spa – and America – the Mazda Raceway California 8 Hours.

The IGTC is the only global series to exclusively feature GT cars. But instead of freighting chassis, spares and personnel around the world, GT3 manufacturers are encouraged to reduce budgets and promote local teams by supporting official factory partners already operating in each region that IGTC visits. Points are then awarded on a manufacturer vs manufacturer basis rather than individual teams.

This model is possible due to the large number of homologated GT3 cars competing worldwide as well as SRO Motorsports Group’s existing presence in each continent’s major GT series.

Porsche currently lies second in 2017’s IGTC standings after its Australian partner, Competition Motorsports, finished runner-up in the opening round at Bathurst in February. Later this month its hopes will rest with KÜS Team75 Bernhard and Herberth Motorsport, which have been selected to represent the brand at the Total 24 Hours of Spa.

Porsche’s Mazda Raceway California 8 Hours and Motul Sepang 12 Hours teams will be announced in due course.

Engineering student, lover of all things technical and lifelong motorsport fan. Employed in the Oil & Gas Industry, developing Major Emergency Management simulations. Owner of the best beard on the site.