Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia regular Sam Shahin is the latest Aussie to ply his trade overseas after the South Australian secured a place in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup for 2024.
With eight rounds making up the highly esteemed international category, Shahin has confirmed he will contest all rounds of the championship in the Pro-Am class with Dutch team, GP Elite.
A proven Pro-Am class champion in both the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia, Shahin has enjoyed a solid record over the years, which includes seven SP Tools Pro-Am round wins and 22 race victories over a 41-round Carrera Cup Australia career.
Beginning later this month at the famous Imola circuit as a support category for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the championship takes place at some of the most famous circuits in the world.
Featuring on the 2024 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup calendar are Monaco, the Red Bull Ring, Silverstone, Hungary, Spa Francorchamps, Zandvoort and Monza – all of which are rounds of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship.
Joining the likes of Matt Campbell, Jordan Love, Aaron Love, Marc Cini, Stephen Grove and Harri Jones to contest the international one-make competition, Shahin was looking forward to the next stage of his career.
“Supercup is an epic challenge; it’s the Everest of one-make car racing, but I’ve never minded a challenge,” Shahin said.
“Just the thought of competing at places like Imola, Spa, Silverstone and Monza is enough to put the hair on the back of my neck on end. It is a special privilege to be able to do this and to represent The Bend at these incredible circuits.
“Porsche Supercup is incredibly competitive. The Pro-Am field is very small and the competition is intense so even just making the grid is a challenge. At the front of the field the stakes are high with incredible and talented drivers – the best of the best from all over the world – competing for rarer opportunities up the motorsport pyramid, so I am very much aware of the challenge in front of me.
“GP Elite is a team with a lot of success and experience and are best placed to support my debut in Supercup and I am looking forward to working with them this year.
“This is going to be an experience to remember. Porsche Cup racing in Australia is a terrific platform and I am grateful for the wonderful experiences I have gained here.
“I can’t wait to get started and put my best foot forward and really relish the experience. I intend to walk onto the Imola track first up with my NACIONAL cap – one that I’ve cherished since Ayrton Senna’s sad passing many years ago at that circuit.”
The Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup 2024 begins at Imola Circuit on 17-19 May.
2024 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Calendar
17–19 May: Imola Circuit, Italy
24–26 May: Circuit de Monaco, Monaco
28–30 June: Red Bull Ring, Austria
5–7 July: Silverstone Circuit, United Kingdom
19–21 July: Hungaroring, Hungary
26–28 July: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
23–25 August: Circuit Zandvoort, Netherlands
30 August — 1 September: Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Italy