Kyle Marcelli's debut year in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Michelin series was a trial and error season filled with much more trial than error. The 2012 season was Marcelli's first time in the cockpit of a Porsche or any GT style car for that matter, but quick learning led to success.
While continuing his full-time commitment to BAR1 Motorsports in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón (ALMS) No. 8 Evident Capital, MBRP Performance Exhaust LMPC entry, Marcelli was hired by Pfaff Automotive Group to contest a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car.
Due to his professional status in ALMS, Marcelli wasn't able to earn points last year, but unofficially won every race he entered. And more importantly, he turned heads in the Porsche family.
"The Canadian series is really what put my name on the map with Porsche," Marcelli said. "It had nothing to do with American Le Mans, race pole positions, race wins or podiums."
A combination of experience and natural competitiveness led to success in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada Series. Marcelli says he is competitive in all aspects of life and that was certainly the case last season even while ineligible.
"This is a career for me," Marcelli said. "It's what I do full-time and I need to look at this as a long-term thing. Anytime I'm behind the wheel I need to do my job to the best of my ability."
As a result of his success last season, Marcelli has added the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland to his already heavy 2013 schedule. On April 2, the 23-year-old driver signed with Molitor Racing Systems to drive in the most competitive of the seven Carrera Cup series. From a marketing standpoint, the exposure GT3 Cup Challenge Canada offered Marcelli was invaluable.
"IMSA did a great job sanctioning the series and putting their input into how it should operate," Marcelli said. "It was a very professionally-run championship and it definitely prepared me for the next step I'm about to take in Carrera Cup Germany."
Driving a Porsche for a season prepared Marcelli for what to expect behind the wheel, but he's not done learning yet. All of the European circuits for the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland will be new to the Barrie, Ontario native.
"We're all racing the same equipment so it really does come down to the driver and the engineer," Marcelli said of the Porsche Carrera Cup. "For me it's going to be a little tricky because I don't know any of the European circuits so I'll be battling from a little bit behind."
Before round one of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, Marcelli will compete in the American Le Mans Series Presented by Tequila Patrón at Long Beach April 19-21 representing MBRP Performance Exhaust Inc. MBRP, the leading manufacturer in high performance exhausts, announced on April 9 its plans to sponsor Marcelli and BAR1 Motorsports.
Marcelli then heads to Frankfurt, Germany May 3-5 for round one of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland at Hockenheim.
"We're exceedingly proud of Kyle's recent accomplishments, culminating in his Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland ride for 2013," said IMSA Development Series Director Steven Sewell. "Being recognized for his efforts within the IMSA Development Series ranks speaks directly to what these series are all about, developing the next generation of sports car racing stars and providing them the opportunity to showcase their ability."
The 2013 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Michelin series kicks off at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park May 17-19 for the Victoria Day Speedfest in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada.
Photos: IMSA
