Dutch sports car star Jeroen Bleekemolen will put the Porsche City Index Carrera Cup Australia field to the test this October when joining the one-make championship at Bathurst.

The dual Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup champion (2008, 2009) and sports car specialist will race in the Porsche Guest Car with the backing of TYREPLUS, the retail partner of the championship’s Official Tyre Partner, Michelin.

While Bleekemolen is making his Carrera Cup Australia debut, he won’t be out of his element: the Dutch driver raced at Mount Panorama earlier this year in the Bathurst 12 Hour, placing second outright. Bleekemolen is also well attuned to the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race car having two Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup crowns to his name.

“I’m looking forward to joining Carrera Cup Australia in the TYREPLUS Porsche at Bathurst. I’m anticipating the competition will be tough. And I can’t wait,” said Bleekemolen.

“I have raced against many of the drivers on the Carrera Cup Australia grid before: Jonny Reid in A1GP, Craig Baird in last year’s Porsche Carrera World Cup and several others in the New Zealand V8 SuperTourers. If these past races are anything to go by, the pace will be very competitive at the front of the field.
“I’ve raced on Michelin tyres for much of my career – in all my seven 24 Hours of Le Mans starts, including 2008 class victory; Porsche Supercup, including my Championship wins in 2008 and 2009; and when I raced in A1GP, so I know the total performance advantage they can deliver. It’s great to have Michelin, and their retail partner TYREPLUS, on board for the Bathurst Carrera Cup round this October.”

Bleekemolen is also tasked with driving the iconic Porsche RS Sypder in demonstration laps around the Mount Panorama circuit at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 event, October 04-07, 2012.

“Between racing in Carrera Cup Australia and driving the Porsche RS Spyder, I’m anticipating I’ll have a rather enjoyable weekend.”

TYREPLUS spokesperson and Managing Director of Michelin Australia, Thierry Martin, said Carrera Cup Australia provided an excellent platform to promote the TYREPLUS brand.

“TYREPLUS offers premium, high performance tyres and service, so it’s the perfect match for Porsche City Index Carrera Cup Australia,” said Martin.

“Michelin has a long history of success with Jeroen, including class victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and back-to-back Porsche Supercup championships. I wish Jeroen well, and look forward to seeing the TYREPLUS Porsche at the front of the pack.”

Bleekemolen has competed in several championships in 2012, including appearances in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and Porsche Carrera Cup Germany and part-time campaigns in the American Le Mans Series and the FIA World Endurance Championship, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Bleekemolen will also line up alongside Shane van Gisbergen in the #9 Stone Brothers Racing V8 Supercar in the upcoming Armor All Gold Coast 600 event and is competing in the New Zealand V8 SuperTourers Endurance Championship.

Jeroen Bleekemolen: Career highlights
2001 FIA GT Championship – 3rd
2006-2007 A1GP Season – 5th (contested 19 of 22 races)
2008 24 Hours of Le Mans – LMP2 Champion
2008 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Champion
2008-2009 A1GP Season – 4th (contested 8 of 14 races)
2009 Porsche Carrera Cup Germany – 2nd
2009 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Champion
2011 Porsche Carrera Cup Germany – 3rd
2011 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup – 6th