Dubai: Dubai Autodrome will host the 100th race in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East from December 8 to 9.

Eighteen drivers from 10 countries, including guest driver, former Major League Baseball star CJ Wilson, will compete in the landmark 99th and 100th races on Friday and Saturday.

The one-make series, now in its ninth season, has transformed local motorsport by offering an elite pathway for local drivers.

“It’s remarkable to think that a decade ago the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East was just an ambitious vision shared by Porsche and Lechner Racing,” said series founder Walter Lechner.

“Being the first comes with challenges and remaining at the forefront is even tougher, but thanks to the support of Porsche, our partners, motorsport federations and race tracks in the region we’re about to celebrate our 100th race.

“The Middle East needed a professional championship of its own and it has one to be proud of.

“I look forward with great optimism, as I believe the triumphs of the past are going to be overshadowed by successes in the future.”

Oman’s Al Faisal Al Zubair, who is second in the series after the opening round, said: “This championship gave me the opportunity to get the experience I needed to develop as a driver and challenge internationally.

“I owe much to the years of dedication from Walter Lechner, Porsche and those who have supported this championship.

“I’m directly benefitting from their efforts and am proud to be amongst a new breed of drivers from the region that have emerged from the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East.

“I’ve finished third on the podium in the opening two races but nothing would make me happier than standing on the top step of the podium in the centennial race. Although, I know many other drivers will be thinking the same.”

Six race weekends with 12 races will be held over a period of six months. Following this weekend’s second round, the series will return to Dubai for round three before heading to Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit. The final two rounds will be held in Bahrain, with the series coming to a conclusion as a support race to the 2018 Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix.