New PCCA era begins with dramatic Shanghai double-header

Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA) kicked off its season with double-header races, debuting the new Porsche 911 Cup (992.2) as the first one-make series to do so. A record-breaking 30-grid lineup took the track supporting Formula One's Chinese Grand Prix, with several local heroes standing on the podium after the end of Round 2.

The 911 Cup (992.2) cars during the pre-season testing in Zhuhai | Credit: PCCA

The new PCCA era with the 911 Cup (992.2)

The championship has been a staple feature of the Chinese Grand Prix since its 2004 debut and returned to the roster following the event's return in 2024. Shanghai has served as PCCA's season opener ever since.

30 drivers from 12 different countries took the Shanghai International Circuit, battling for championship glory across 13 rounds. The PCCA drivers were the first to race the 992.2 cup car.

As a car promised to push the boundaries of its successful predecessor, the new model received a 10-horsepower increase from the 992.1 and the inclusion of the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) for the first time.

Teams and drivers were given two days of 12 hours of pre-season testing at Zhuhai International Circuit to be acquainted with the new model before they head to Shanghai. Team Porsche Malaysia and PCCA Talent Pool driver Naquib Azlan topped the timing sheet three out of four times.

The 911 Cup (992.2) cars during the pre-season testing in Zhuhai | Credit: PCCA

Series debutant and two-time F1 Academy race winner, Amna Al Qubaisi, spoke fondly of debuting in the series and driving the 992.2: "I’m incredibly grateful to be racing with Team Jebsen in Porsche Carrera Cup Asia this year.

"Driving the new Porsche 911 Cup (992.2) for the first time was an unforgettable experience, and I’m truly excited for what’s ahead, including racing at some new tracks. My passion for motorsport began from watching my father in [the] Porsche Supercup, and ever since, it’s been a dream of mine to follow in the same path, so I’m extremely proud.

"My aim for 2026 is to keep improving and progressing at each round, as there is a lot to learn, and I hope to enjoy every moment."

PCCA Round 1 in Shanghai ends prematurely

The first qualifying session took place on Saturday, 14 March at 09:15 local time. Pro driver Azlan stormed to pole position for both rounds, followed by Marcus Amand and Rodrigo Dias Almeida behind.

Starting seventh overall, Lu Wei was the leading driver for the Pro-Am class, edging out several Pro drivers in the process. Roy Tien Foo Tang qualified 14th, topping the Am class. In 25th overall was Jacky Wu, one of the three Masters drivers, a category reserved for drivers aged 55 years or older.

The race started at 16:55 local time, and the red flag opened up the season after a major crash at Turn 1, after the slow-moving Azlan caught the backmarkers by surprise, leading to the major crash involving three drivers, including Wu.

The scene of the crash as shown during Round 2 of the 2025 season | Credit: PCCA

Nearly an hour into the suspension, the race directors announced that the first round would not be restarted, meaning the drivers were unable to drive their new 992.2 flat out on its first day of racing.

The organisers said: "In accordance with the Championship’s Sporting Regulations, in this situation, 50% championship points will be awarded based on the Official Qualifying classification."

Francis Tjia, one of the drivers involved in the Turn 1 incident, underwent checks at the circuit's medical centre before being helicoptered to Huashan Hospital for a minor surgery. The organisers confirmed that Tjia has undergone a successful operation and is recovering well.

PCCA Round 2: Spectacular racing until the end

The second round of the PCCA began with a cloudy, cool and breezy afternoon in Shanghai. Damage to Azlan's car proved too severe for him to continue, promoting Dias Almeida to pole position and moving every driver a spot ahead of their supposed starting grid.

At 11:00, the lights went out for the second round of PCCA, the first full race of the season. 28 cars safely made it past Turn 1, but it did not take long for the yellow flag to be waved due to a collision at the back of Turn 3. Several drivers

Kang Ling has Marvin Klein lurking close behind as the latter patiently waits to snatch the podium. The third lap began with a contact between Ruiqi Liu and Wei Lu at Turn 2, preventing any drivers from making the corner, although they were able to continue.

Wei Lu collided with Henry Kwong at Turn 3, and the former retired from the race as the safety car was deployed. Kailuo Luo stayed close behind Dias Almeida, ready to jump the Mozambique driver at the restart.

On Lap 6, Joshua Berry of Earl Bamber Motorsport (EBM) pitted to change his front-left tyre. The safety car pitted at the end of the lap, and Dias Almeida controlled the pace of the restart by holding rivals before blasting full throttle at the last corner.

Amand moved past Klein at Turn 3, and the latter made small contact with the former at Turn 6. Battles were taking place in the midfield positions. Dias Almeida was awarded a 10-second time penalty for race start infringement, costing the 21-year-old a victory.

The replay showed Dias Almeida moving slightly before the lights went off, justifying his penalty. Amand was running out of time to get the No.3 car to the podium, but Ling was not making it any easier. On Lap 11, Amand momentarily passed Ling before the Chinese driver retook the place back.

Marcus Amand's No.3 car during pre-season testing | Credit: PCCA

Amand tried to squeeze past Ling at Turn 14, but the Finnish driver ran out of space to properly hold on to the position. Their fierce battle allowed Marco Giltrap to close in and wait for any pieces from the battle.

After 13 laps of intense battle, Dias Almeida was the first to cross the line with the 992.2, before being demoted to eighth after his penalty was applied. Local hero Luo became the first winner with the 992.2. Ling took second place with Amand completing the podium.

The Chinese national anthem was played once more during the Am class podium with Qikuan Cao on top, joined by Tang and Henry Kwong. Due to the limited time for the next session, only two podium ceremonies were featured. The season will resume in April with a Zhuhai double-header on 11–12 April.

The introduction of the 992.2 as the cup car promises to be an exciting new era in Porsche's one-make series worldwide, pushing the drivers to the limits previously thought impossible. The new car will make its debut elsewhere in the Carrera Cup North America, supporting the upcoming IMSA 12 Hours of Sebring from 18–20 March.

More to follow...