Porsche Supercup

The Porsche Supercup (officially known as Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, known as Porsche Michelin Supercup prior to 2007) is an international one-make racing premier series supporting the FIA Formula One World Championship organized by Porsche Motorsport GmbH.
Porsche Supercup drivers compete in identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars. On average, 24 race cars take part in each race. Most circuits visited by the series are European, although circuits in Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, the United States and Mexico have been included in the calendar as well.
History.
Since 1993 the Porsche Michelin Supercup has run as support to the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. The number of races has grown from the original nine to total 13 in 2006, although decreasing to 11 in 2017.
Regulations.
Two sets of slick tyres may be used per car each weekend. The number of wet tyres is unlimited. The tyres are identical for all competitors and are not permitted to be pre-warmed or chemically treated.
The in-race pit stop is also allowed if in case of "force majeure" like tyre puncture, body damage, weather conditions changing and others but in-race pit stop is not mandatory due to shorter race duration and also refuelling is not permitted during race only.
Racing flags.
These are the racing flags that usually used in every Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup race weekends:
Racing cars.
Chassis.
Porsche Supercup cars adhere to a rear-engined rear-wheel-drive design. A roll cage serves as a carbon-fibre space frame chassis and is covered by a multiple-gauge sheet metal body. They have a closed cockpit, fenders, a rear wing, and an aerodynamic splitter. Each team may purchase cars and engines from other teams.
The front suspension is a McPherson suspension strut design, while the rear suspension is a multi-link live axle design utilizing trailing arms. Brake discs must be made of steel and may not exceed diameter. The only aerodynamic components on the vehicles are the front splitter, rear wing, solid polycarbonate glass window in the windows only, and side skirts. The use of rear diffusers, vortex generators, canards, wheel well vents, hood vents, and undertrays is strictly prohibited. While the cars may reach speeds of about on certain tracks.
Porsche Supercup cars are required to have at least 1 working windshield wiper installed on the car for all tracks as a part of the road racing rules package.
Engine.
The cars are powered by gasoline direct-injected flat-six Porsche engines since 1993 with compacted graphite aluminium alloy blocks and DOHC valvetrains actuating four-valves per cylinder, and are limited to of displacement. However, modern technology has allowed power outputs near in unrestricted form while retaining the conventional basic engine design. In fact, before Porsche instituted the gear rule, Porsche Supercup engines were capable of operating more than 8,000 rpm. The current Porsche MDG.G Supercup engines curb weight is roughly at over .
Evolution of Porsche Supercup cars.
911 Cup (Type 964).
For the inaugural 1993 Porsche Supercup season the 964 Cup (used in Carrera Cup from 1992) based on the 964 Carrera RS (itself based on the earlier 1990 964 Carrera Cup) was the vehicle of choice. Compared to the road car the Cup race car features a similarly stripped-out interior and retains the catalytic converter, 18 inch magnesium wheels and ABS but was lowered by 20mm, featured a full roll cage and no passenger seat.
911 Cup 3.8 (Type 993).
Based on the 993 Carrera 2 and used in the Porsche Supercup for seasons 1994–1997. Updated in 1995 with aero parts from the new Carrera RS, followed by a five-horsepower increase to at 6,200 rpm in 1996. 216 units were produced in total.
911 GT3 Cup (Type 996).
Raced in the Porsche Supercup seasons 1998–2001. Basis for the upcoming 996 GT3 road car, featuring a 3.6 litre boxer engine on basis of the GT1 block. For the 1999 season the engine output was increased to and at 6,250 rpm. The car managed the 0- sprint in four seconds, with a top speed of . For the 2001 season the GT3 Cup received modified aerodynamics including an enlarged rear wing and improved cooling.
911 GT3 Cup (Type 996 II).
Raced in the Porsche Supercup seasons 2002–2004. For 2002 the GT3 Cup received several changes based on the 996.2 Carrera and Turbo models, including Turbo-style headlights. The new body significantly improves aerodynamics and cooling. Engine output is increased to and , further changes include improved transmission cooling, a lightened exhaust system and other light-weighing measures across the car. For the 2004 season the car received further upgrades. Engine output is once again increased slightly, to at 7,200 rpm and at 6,500 rpm. Gear ratios of fourth, fifth and sixth gears have been shortened. An 89-litre fuel tank improves endurance racing capabilities. In the interior changes are made to enable the use of the HANS device.
911 GT3 Cup (Type 997).
Raced in the Porsche Supercup seasons 2005–2009. The 997-based Cup car features significantly improved aerodynamics and lightweight CFRP parts, including doors, rear body panels, engine deck lid and rear wing. Parts of the suspension are adopted from the GT3 RSR.
911 GT3 Cup 3.8 (Type 997 II).
Raced in the Porsche Supercup seasons 2010–2012. Based on 997.2 GT3 RS, the car features a new 3.8 litre engine, an enlarged rear wing adopted from 911 GT3 Cup S measuring , additional Unibal joints on the track control arms and front and rear sword-shaped anti-roll bars with seven position settings each and a steering wheel mounted Info Display with 6 switches. The vehicle was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and deliveries began in the same year. The base MSRP of the European model was €149,850 (before tax).
911 GT3 Cup (Type 991).
Based on the Porsche 911 GT3 type 991, this 911 GT3 Cup was used in the Porsche Supercup for the seasons 2013–2016. The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Type 991 features the new gearbox paddle-shifters for the first time.
911 GT3 Cup (Type 991 II).
Raced in the Porsche Supercup since the 2017 season. Based on the latest 911 GT3 road car it features a larger 4.0-litre flat-six boxer engine, improved aerodynamics and an enlarged escape-hatch in the roof and is priced at €189,900 excluding taxes.
911 GT3 Cup (Type 992).
The standard Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 992) will scheduled to race in the Porsche Supercup from the 2021 season onwards. Based on the latest 911 GT3 road car, the 911 GT3 Cup Type 992 engines will remain same as 911 GT3 Cup (Type 991 II) but the power output will increased slightly from .
Transmission, gearbox and clutches.
For the transmission gearboxes, all Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup cars currently utilize a semi-automatic transmission with a 6-speed gearbox operated by paddle shifters and supplied by in-house Porsche since the 2013 season (including reverse gear). From 1993 to 2012, all Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup cars used sequential manual transmission with a 6-speed gearbox operated by a conventional sequential shifter. The clutch of all Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup cars is a sintered metal3-plate clutch operated by foot-pedal and provided by ZF Sachs. The mechanical limited-slip differential is also allowed and constant velocity joint tripod driveshafts are also used. All Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup cars drivetrain is currently rear-engine with rear-wheel-drive layout.
Cockpit and safety components.
For the safety equipment, all Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup cars seating utilizes racing bucket driver's seat with 6-point seat belts. The steering wheel of all Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup cars are made exclusively in-house by Porsche Motorsport GmbH. All Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup cars are also equipped with Cosworth Omega Intelligent Colour Display units since 2013 until 2020 season until it was replaced by all-new larger in-house Porsche Motorsport display units from 2021 season onwards. The fire extinguisher of all Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup cars are included in the bottom right-hand side underneath. The interior rear-view mirror is still currently used since 1993 until present.
The cockpit of all Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup cars are fully protected by doors, windshields and roofs (shielded by polycarbonate glass for windscreen, side windows and rear windows including also windshield wipers for rain weather only in the windscreen) because of current coupé-type car.
Fuel and motor oil.
Fuel.
ExxonMobil has been an official control fuel retailer and convenience store partner for all Porsche Supercup entrants since 1996 season under Mobil brand in 1996 until 2006 later ExxonMobil brand in 2007 until 2014 and later Esso brand since 2015 until present. The current fuel type of Porsche Supercup is now Esso Synergy™ Renewable Racing Fuel 100% E100 Ethanol blend as a reference of eco-friendly carbon neutral footprint. Previously, the fuel type of Porsche Supercup is Esso Synergy™ Racing Fuel 98 RON 100% unleaded racing gasoline without any other renewable fuel blends like Ethanol and Methanol (the same fuel as it used by Red Bull Racing Formula One team). 
Previously Shell was the official fuel partner of Porsche Supercup since 1993 until 1995 season.
Motor oil.
Mobil 1 also has been official motor oil partner of Porsche Supercup since 1996 season and utilizing Mobil 1 ESP X3 fully synthetic 0W-40 racing lubricant to improve fuel economy and extending engine life. Previously Shell was the official motor oil partner of Porsche Supercup from the 1993 season until the 1995 season.
Tyres.
Michelin has been the current tyre partner of Porsche Supercup since the 2002 season. Previously Pirelli supplied the tyres for all Porsche Supercup cars from the 1993 season until 2001. The tyre model of Michelin Porsche Supercup tyre utilizing Porsche Cup N2 sub-brand. The Michelin Porsche Supercup tyre compounds are dry slick and full-tread rain tyres.
The current tyre sizes of Porsche Supercup Michelin tyres are 27/65-R18 on the fronts and 31/71-R18 on the rears.
Comparison with Formula One car.
A Porsche Supercup car is a single-seat production stock car racing car.
Over the years both Porsche Supercup and Formula One race schedules are traditionally held in permanent racing courses and also Formula One support races. The increased stress and speed of these tracks mean that the cars tended to be heavier, wider and have shorter wheelbases than F1 cars (increasing stability but decreasing agility).
When the weight of the driver is factored in, a Porsche Supercup car weighed over 60% more than a Formula One Car. The minimum weight for a Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters car currently mandatory from based on the weight of the driver compared to the field average; with the driver included, all cars had a minimum weight of including driver and fuel. A Porsche Supercup car piloted by 80 kg Marius Nakken (the heaviest driver in the series and 10 kg heavier than the field average) had to have weighed at least 1,200 kg when empty. The minimum weight of a Formula One car, including the driver, currently . This difference of is just over 60% of the 2020 F1 car's weight.
Beginning in the inaugural season of the Porsche Supercup that Porsche Supercup cars used the naturally aspirated 180-degree flat-six engines but that time in 1993 Formula One were used the naturally aspirated various bank angle and various cylinders until end of 1994. Porsche Supercup cars had up to more compared to their Formula One counterparts, as early as in the 70s the cars had in excess of 1,000 hp. Porsche Supercup cars having on demand and F1 cars having around 700 hp to 840 hp in 3.5L NA (1989–94) era, around 700 hp to 1000 hp for final specs in 3.0L NA V10 (1995–2005) era and around 770 hp to 840 hp in 2.4L NA V8 (2006–2013) era and currently over 800 hp (2017 spec combustion engine alone) with an additional 160 hp from the electric motors from their 1.6L V6 turbo-hybrid-electro power unit. The turbo used mainly to improve the spectacle rather than lap-times with the so-called 'power-to-pass' or 'push-to-pass' system giving drivers an increased amount of power for a limited duration during the race. Another reason for retaining the turbocharger especially in Formula-1 is the muffling effect it has on the exhaust note, which helps keep the cars inside noise-limits, to meet FIA regulations and rules at the many city street races in European cities on the racing season schedule.
Porsche Supercup cars used unleaded gasoline for fuel rather than leaded gasoline, and refuelling had always been banned during the race since 1993 season due to shorter race distance.
Porsche Supercup cars has ground-effect undersides to improve stability and aerodynamic advantage. F1 banned sculpted undersides in a bid to lower cornering speeds for 1983. In an effort to create better passing opportunities, the new spec Porsche Supercup cars being introduced in 1998 will generate nearly 50% of the total downforce of the car with flat underside tunnels versus the front splitter and rear wing. This will reduce turbulent air behind the cars, enabling easier overtaking.
Unlike in F1, Porsche Supercup teams were obliged to buy the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup machines for all teams. 
The Formula One car is a more expensive and technology-centric platform than a Porsche Supercup car. This was even the case during the new era since 1998 season.
For top speeds, Porsche Supercup cars are technically slower than Formula One car in fact (Porsche Supercup cars have in a normal tracks meanwhile Formula One cars have in a high-speed tracks such as Monza).
Championships.
Driver championship.
Points are assigned to the first 15 finishers of each race and all races count towards the championship. To receive points, a driver must compete in multiple races per season. Since 2008, there have been two bonus points awarded for the driver who secures pole position in qualifying.
IF in the case of a tie, Porsche Supercup will determine the champion based on the most first-place finishes. If there is still a tie, Porsche Supercup will determine the champion by the most second-place finishes, then the most third-place finishes, etc., until a champion is determined. Porsche Supercup will apply the same system to other ties in the rankings at the close of the season and at any other time during the season.
Team championship.
The points of the two best drivers of each team are added up. At the end of the season Porsche rewards the three best placed teams with prize money.
Prize money.
In 2006 and 2007, Porsche AG pays around 820,000 euros to drivers and teams. Per race the winner receives 9,000 euros, the runner-up 7,500 euros and the third placed driver 6,500 euros. For a 15th place 1,400 euros are paid. Additionally, the 2006 or 2007 champion receives a Porsche road car. The driver with the fastest laps will be given a premium watch from Porsche Design.
In 2015, Porsche says it pays "more than 730,000 Euros in prize money to drivers and teams. In addition, the overall winner receives a special prize. The winner of the rookie classification receives an additional prize of 30,000 Euros providing he/she reregisters for the following year’s Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup."
Champions.
Dutch driver Patrick Huisman is the most successful driver in the championship, having won four straight titles between 1997 and 2000, followed by René Rast and Michael Ammermüller with three titles and Jeroen Bleekemolen and Richard Westbrook with two titles each. The reigning champion is the Dutch driver Larry ten Voorde.
Popularity.
At the Grand Prix circuits during 2006 an average of 125,000 spectators witnessed the action from the grandstands at each round. According to Porsche AG races attracted 22 million TV viewers worldwide, most of them in Europe where Eurosport provides regular coverage.
Porsche Carrera Cup.
Porsche also runs many regional and national one-make production racing series around the globe.