More Porsche Supercup testing ahead for Lester

New Zealand Porsche racing driver Jono Lester will travel to Bahrain in December to complete his second PorscheSupercup testing programme with Lechner Racing. Lester impressed in testing with the Austrian Lechner Racing team earlier this year at the Hungaroring Grand Prix circuit in Hungary, and is now working closely with team management tofinalise his place in the 2010 Porsche Mobil1 Supercup.

Lester and current Porsche Supercup driver Stefan Rosina will test a number of the new 2010 Porsche GT3 Cup carsbetween them in the lead up to Christmas at the Bahrain Formula One circuit. During this time the pair will gain valuablemileage behind the wheel of the new and upgraded911 race cars, and for Lester it will also provide achance to learn the circuit where the opening tworounds of the 2010 Porsche Mobil1 Supercup will beheld in March next year.“It’s really exciting to be given another opportunity tohead overseas and test with the Lechner Racingteam and Porsche Motorsport,” Lester said.

“I really need to pick up where I left off in Hungary,and driving under pressure on an unfamiliar circuit,in a new car and in the sticky Bahrain heat issomething I’ll have to expect a lot of next year. It’sthe perfect preparation.”The 2010 Porsche GT3 Cup car is another step up from the current 2008-09 models being raced in Carrera Cupsaround the world, and is now based on the GT3 RS model.“The new Cup car is a real weapon, and the most noticeable change is the larger 3.8 litre engine with around 450horsepower,” Lester explained.“

Then, as with the 996-997 progression of a few years back, there’s a wider rear track and larger rear wheels, flaredarches and a rear wing that’s around nine inches wider and positioned a lot higher off the boot lid. It really dominates thecar and the extra down force will be really beneficial to lap times.”Back home, Lester will not be competing in the Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge this season after threeconsecutive championships behind the wheel of the Blackwoods Paykels GT3.

“I’m really disappointed not to be racing at home this season and the [GT3 Cup Challenge] series is looking morecompetitive than it ever has. The race mileage would have been valuable, however there’s no better way to prepare forthe Supercup than to do so in the new Cup car, and the experience and expertise of Walter [Lechner] and his engineerswill ensure we make the most of this great opportunity and roll up to round one ready for action!”