That is why the Supercup enters the grid as a VIP participant. The organisation of the series brings its own Porsche 911 GT3 Cup to the starting line in Le Mans. Bearing the number 993 as a reference to the series founding year 1993, the racing car appears in the current series grid design. It is driven by Max van Splunteren as a reward for winning the Rookie Classification in the Porsche Supercup 2020.

A dream comes true for the young Dutch driver, who has always wanted to drive a few laps on the infamous Circuit de la Sarthe. Van Splunteren will join a field of 53 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars, with many of the drivers whom he knows from the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. But for the first time, he’ll be hitting the track without the support of his team mates.

A race with so many participants provides unique challenges for every pilot. Narrow passages like the Porsche Corners or the Virage du Tertre Rouge require succinct timing to get in line and avoid being passed or pushed into the gravel trap. Max’s advantage? He’s already warmed-up from the eight Supercup rounds this season against top international drivers. Some of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, on the other hand, will be driving their first race laps of 2020 in Le Mans.

There’s another highlight the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Rookie Champion can look forward to in addition to his Le Mans support program guest appearance. Along with Austrian Horst Felbermayr Jr. and Michele Beretta from Italy, Max van Splunteren will contest the 24 Hours of Le Mans at the wheel of the Porsche 911 RSR with Proton Competition’s number 78. A packed program for the youngster from Leiderdorp.

You can watch Max’s Porsche Carrera Cup Le Mans races live on the Porsche Motorsport Hub, and on the official Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland YouTube channel. Racing fans can follow his endurance race on Eurosport.