Porsche Carrera Cup

One-make race using 911 GT3 Cup cars

There’s a saying that “racing is a laboratory on wheels.” This refers to the way that automakers feed technology developed on the racetrack back into their production cars. Against this backdrop, Porsche was one of the first to create a system known as customer racing, where the company sells its own race cars to customers and runs a race series, making it a viable business. This system has also enabled the world to produce amateur drivers, or gentleman drivers, who, while not professional drivers, are no less skilled. Incidentally, Porsche respectfully refers to the adventurous drivers who compete in the Carrera Cup as “Carrera Cup pilots.”

The Porsche Carrera Cup began in Germany in 1990 as a one-make race for the then-Porsche 911 (Type 964). During the 964 and 993 eras, the cars were based on the Carrera RS, but from the 996 onwards, when the engine changed from air-cooled to water-cooled, race-specific vehicles based on the GT3, commonly known as “Cup Cars,” were used.

In 1993, the Porsche Supercup was launched as a support race for the European Formula 1 Grand Prix. It is still held as a support race for F1 in eight European countries, and the one-make race using the Porsche 911 has attracted worldwide attention.

Started in Japan in 2001

The Carrera Cup began in Japan in 2001, starting as the Porsche Carrera Cup Japan (PCCJ) during the Type 996 era. The race has continued with the Type 997 since 2006, the Type 991 since 2014, and a cup car based on the current Type 992 since 2022, marking its 25th anniversary this year. Also, starting in 2019, the Porsche Sprint Challenge Japan was launched as a step-up category to the Carrera Cup, allowing participants to compete with older Cup Cars and Cayman GT4s. This category is also a good way for those with no racing experience to hone their skills, as they may find it difficult to jump straight into the Carrera Cup.

Currently, the PCCJ allows spot entry for any domestic A-class license holder, regardless of whether they are professional or amateur, to compete in non-international competitions. The series is divided into three classes: the “Pro Class,” “Pro-Am Class,” and “Amateur Class.” Series rankings are determined by the points earned in each class. The Pro Class features both professional drivers and Porsche Japan Junior Drivers, a scholarship program sponsored by Porsche Japan, creating a fierce battle for the skills that only a one-make race can offer. Previous series champions include Ryo Hirakawa, who currently competes in the WEC for Toyota and serves as a reserve driver for Haas F1, as well as other drivers active in Super GT, making this an important step up in the sport. For both pro-am and amateur drivers, racing alongside professional drivers provides an unparalleled opportunity to hone their driving skills and racing tactics.

Support for overseas challenges

Many of the gentleman drivers who compete in the Carrera Cup are accomplished businessmen. They work from morning until night during the week, practice in their free time, and race on the weekends. Their passion and toughness are extraordinary. Sharing time with such people is sure to be an irreplaceable experience. In addition, if a driver wishes to challenge an overseas Carrera Cup series, there is a backup system in place to make that happen. There is no other one-make race held on a global scale like the Porsche Carrera Cup, and it is truly one of the highest levels of racing in which amateurs can compete.

Entry

Pro Class (Pro)

Number: White

Pro class entries are for drivers who have experience as a professional racing driver, or drivers who the PCCJ committee judges to have an equivalent background. There are no race-based or series prizes for the Pro class based on individual rankings.

Pro-am class (ProAm)

Number: Yellow

To enter the Pro-Am class, you must meet all of the following conditions:

(1) You have no past or present experience as a professional racing driver.

(2) The PCCJ Committee has approved your entry into the Pro-Am class or has determined that you have the experience necessary for that class.

Amateur Class (Am)

Bib number: Orange

To enter the Amateur class, you must meet all of the following conditions:

(1) You have no past or present experience as a professional racing driver.

(2) The PCCJ Committee has approved your entry into the Amateur class or has determined that you have the experience necessary to enter that class.

(*) Main careers that qualify for the Amateur class

: (1) If the driver has participated in the PCCJ series between 2022 and 2024: The average overall (overall ranking) points earned during that season (total overall points divided by the number of races completed) must be less than 8 points (rounded up or down to the nearest whole number). If the driver has participated in multiple seasons between

2022 and 2024, this must not have been exceeded in any one season. (2) In cases other than (1) above: Documents verifying all race series and race results participated in during each season between 2022 and 2024 must be submitted to the PCCJ Committee. The PCCJ Committee reserves the right to determine whether or not the driver can be registered in the Amateur class based on the documents and its own independent verification.

License

driver

Participants must hold a valid domestic driver’s permit (A grade or higher) issued by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) or their ASN for the current year, a medical certificate, and have paid the series entry fee. Participation in the F1 Japan Grand Prix support races requires an international driver’s permit (C grade or higher). Employees of Porsche Japan and their affiliates are not eligible to participate.

Entrants

Participants must hold a valid domestic or international license issued by the JAF or their ASN for the current year and have paid the participation fee. However, to participate in the F1 Japan Grand Prix support races, participants must hold an international license.

Age restrictions

18 years of age or older (in accordance with the JAF domestic competition rules – Competition Permit Regulations in effect this year)

Entry conditions for non-domestic participants

Entrants and drivers who hold a valid license for the current year and this series issued by an ASN other than JAF have the right to apply to participate in this series, and if they participate, they will be entitled to earn points as stipulated in these regulations.For all events, foreign entrants/drivers must submit an “Overseas Race Participation Certificate” issued by applying to the ASN to which they belong.

Regulations

Participating vehicles

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 992). This vehicle is certified by the PCCJ Committee. To ensure strict equality, the engine, transmission, and shock absorbers are sealed, and no modifications or alterations are permitted.

Annual cost

MY2025 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 992)

Vehicle price: 37,025,000 yen (tax included)

2025 series entry fee: 4,950,000 yen (tax included)

Other, maintenance costs + tire costs, etc.

2025 Porsche Carrera Cup Calendar

REPORT/Taichi FUJINO

PHOTO/PORSCHE JAPAN

MAGAZINE/ GENROQ June 2025 issue