In September 2020, Porsche announced the creation of a new single-make racing series to take place in the United States and Canada, replacing both IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge USA and IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge Canada.[1] The Porsche Carrera Cup North America would be launched in 2021 in partnership with sanctioning body IMSA and Michelin, who would become the exclusive tire provider for the series.[2] The 2021 class structure consisted of the open Pro class, a Pro-Am class designated for drivers 45 years of age and older, and Pro-Am 991 for older generation 991.2-spec Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars.[3]
The series' inaugural race at Sebring would also mark the worldwide customer racing debut of the new-for-2021 992-spec Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car.[4] By October 2020, five months before the first race was set to begin, Porsche had sold out of their allocations of the new car for North America.[5] The first ever race was won by Sebastian Priaulx, who would become the series' inaugural champion.
The series would garner title sponsorship from the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.[6] With this title sponsorship came an expanded prize package, which included a trip to a five-star resort in the Cayman Islands.[7] The series also underwent a change to the class structure in 2022, with the Pro-Am 991 class dropped in favor of an Am class for drivers over the age of 57.[8] That year, JDX Racing's Parker Thompson would win the series title.[9]
For 2024, Long Beach and Laguna Seca were dropped from the schedule in favor of a return to Road Atlanta and an additional round supporting the Canadian Grand Prix. The ANDIAL Cup was also launched, an in-season championship for the rounds supporting IMSA-sanctioned events designed to incentivize entries outside of the 40-car limit when supporting Formula 1.[14][15] Replacing Michelin, Yokohama became the series' exclusive tire supplier for 2024.[16]
^Staff (March 28, 2022). "Van Berlo Sweeps Opening Weekend at Sebring". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved September 20, 2023. New for 2022 is the Am class for drivers 57-years-old and older – all driving the current type 992 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race car.
