Sepang International Circuit Lights Up With Porsche Cars Both In Real Life And Virtually

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The Porsche Esports Sprint Challenge Malaysia took place on 10 to 11 August alongside the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA) 2024, delivering an exhilarating weekend of motorsport action.

Hosted at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, the official venue for the Malaysian leg of the PCCA 2024, the event provided a unique opportunity for emerging sim racers to showcase their skills and pursue their passion for motorsport in a competitive environment.

Running alongside the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2024, the Porsche Esports Sprint Challenge Malaysia finale featured the top 10 finalists from all three categories — Junior Dreamers (10–14 years old), Young Dreamers (15–17 years old), and Driven Dreamers (18 years old and above) — battling it out on the virtual Sepang International Circuit.

The event kicked off with a 15-minute warm-up session, followed by a 20-minute qualifying round to set their starting positions for the race, where competitors fought for category titles.

Another noteworthy category was the Inspired Dreamers, open to all participants. This category saw a 9-year-old boy dominate the circuit with blistering lap times, racing against a grid of experienced adult drivers.

Porsche Malaysia, represented by Sime Darby Auto Performance, concluded Rounds 9, 10, and 11 of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2024 from 9 to 11 August 2024. The event saw the Sime Darby Racing Team competing on home turf for the second year in a row.

In Round 9, Mathys Jaubert secured pole position for TORO Racing, but it was 2024 Porsche Junior Alessandro Ghiretti who took the early lead in the #55 Team Jebsen car after the first few corners.

Round 10, held under the Sepang lights, delivered stunning visuals for fans as a record 29-car field thundered around the Malaysian circuit. Ghiretti started on pole, but Dylan Pereira, racing for Team Shanghai Yonda BWT, made an impressive jump from the third row to take the lead within a few corners. Jaubert followed closely behind Pereira, and despite intense battles throughout, the order remained unchanged, with Pereira securing his first win since the season opener.

The weekend's final race marked the debut of the highly anticipated endurance event. Wet conditions added to the challenge, and Ghiretti capitalised on an early mistake by polesitter Jaubert to take the lead. The race saw two Safety Car interruptions — first due to contact between Almeida and Giltrap, and later when Yaqi found the gravel at Turn 1.

Despite the interruptions, the race featured thrilling podium battles, notably between local hero Nazim Azman for the Sime Darby Racing Team, Porsche Holding’s Martin Ragginger, and returning 2021 champion Daniel Lu Wenlong for EBM. Azman initially claimed third place but was penalised post-race for contact during an overtake on Ragginger, which promoted the Austrian driver to the podium.

After the thrilling race weekend at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, fans can look forward to seeing the Sime Darby Racing Team back in action for the next rounds of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia.

Rounds 12 and 13 will return as support races for the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix at the incredible Marina Bay Circuit from 20 to 22 September.