.... in 2006The Porsche Carrera Cup GB will run to a new two-tier driver structure for 2006. Drivers will be able to compete in either a professional or a professional-amateur category, depending upon their profile and past performance.The new structure offers non-professional racing drivers and those with less experience the chance to compete for a points and awards package, whilst still competing within the overall Carrera Cup.In a move designed to further enhance the appeal of the Carrera Cup, drivers will compete for points and prize money in their respective category. Drivers will select their preferred category at the start of the season, which will be ratified by the championship organisers. During this process, consideration will be given to drivers' 'sporting spirit', past performance and professional profile.In each of the 20 races, the leading professional racer will win £750, with prize money going down to £300 for fifth. In the pro-amateur category, the leading driver in each race will win £500, with £150 for fifth place. At year-end, the champion professional will pick up a cheque for £15,000, while the leading pro-amateur will win £7000. Additional cash awards will include £500 for the driver of the day and £1000 for the most improved driver of the year."The arrival of the 997-style 911GT3 Cup car has prompted record levels of interest in the championship," says championship manager Marion Barnaby. "The standard at the head of the championship in 2005 with drivers like Damien Faulkner and Richard Westbrook was incredibly high and so we have developed a way of rewarding the drivers who may not be fulltime professional racers.""It's a fantastic idea," says Simon Leonard, boss of the front-running Red Line Racing team. "This gives the other guys something to race for and I've seen it work very well in Carrera Cup Asia. For the drivers who might not be as quick as the real pros at the front, but are still racing to a very high standard, it gives them recognition and a chance of being on the podium."Having finished fifth in the 2005 championship behind Faulkner, Westbrook, Jason Templeman and Tim Harvey, Nigel Rice is likely to be leading contender in the pro-am category in 2006. "I'm all in favour of it! There could be more young career racers in the Carrera Cup next year, so this will give the rest of us something to chase!"Demand for the new car was so high that the 2006 grid sold out on the day the order books opened. Once again, the Carrera Cup GB will be a key support-race to the MSA British Touring Car Championship for a 20-race, 10-weekend season, with races at all the major British tracks. The action starts at Brands Hatch in April.

The 2006 Carrera Cup championship regulations are subject to MSA approval.