Sime Darby Racing Team Set to Compete in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2023

Porsche Malaysia, under the stewardship of Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP), has launched a new racing outfit, dubbed as the  Sime Darby Racing Team. This new team is poised to make its debut in the upcoming Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA) 2023, in partnership with Earl Bamber Motorsport (EBM).

The Malaysian racing outfit will be competing in the PCCA PRO category, using the 992-gen Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car. Embedding the national pride, this 911 car is draped in a special batik-inspired racing livery, finished in red, black and white hues.

The 20th edition of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2023 is set to take place in several racing tracks across the continent. For this year’s edition, the competition will kick-off at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit (SIC), then continues through South Korea, Japan, Thailand and Singapore. The competition’s penultimate round is set to take place at Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific’s headquarters in Shanghai, China.

Former FIA Formula 3 Race Driver Nazim Azman

In-charge of piloting the team’s racecar is the former FIA Formula 3 race driver, Nazim Azman. Aged 22 years old, the young Malaysian driver commented, “It is my pleasure to partner with Porsche Malaysia and Earl Bamber Motorsport to represent the Sime Darby Racing Team at the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2023.”

“As this is my first time racing a GT car for a full season, I believe that this opportunity will widen my horizons and experiences in GT racing. I’d like to thank the team for the support and will strive to do my best to step up in the upcoming race,” Nazim added.

Aiding the team’s effort in motorsporting ventures, Porsche Malaysia has collaborated with Earl Bamber Motorsport, which brings highly-experienced technical partners for the team. Founded by two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner and Porsche Works driver Earl Bamber, the firm will lend technical expertise and support to the Sime Darby Racing Team throughout its PCCA debut season.

Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific MD Alxandre Gibot (left), Malaysian Driver Nazim Azman (centre), & SDAP CEO Christopher Hunter (right), posed with the team's Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car

Commenting on the momentous occasion, SDAP CEO Christopher Hunter said, “Our participation in PCCA this year underlines our long-standing commitment to Porsche’s motorsport DNA. Porsche Malaysia has been at the forefront in customer track driving programmes, and we have had a long history with Earl Bamber Motorsport on track. We are confident about our performance in the upcoming season together with our strong partners, Earl Bamber Motorsport and Nazim.”

“We are also honoured to further support local young technical talent with knowledge transfer in collaboration with Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific to enhance their technical expertise in motorsport,” the CEO added.

Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific (PMAP) managing director Alexandre Gibot said, “We are excited to bring passionate Porsche race drivers from different regions together for the new season of Porsche Carrera Cup Asia. It is truly exciting to see a Malaysia race team represented by Porsche Malaysia as part of this season’s race.”

“We are pleased to have Nazim Azman as part of the PCCA Talent Pool development programme, and we look forward to his training with Porsche racing champions as he embarks on his racing journey,” continued Mr. Gibot.

The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2023 will flag-off at Sepang International Circuit for Round 1 and 2, beginning from Apr 28 to 30, 2023. The series then moves around the region before returning to Malaysia for Round 9 and 10 on Aug 25 to 27, 2023, alongside Round 3 of the Malaysia Championship Series.