New Zealand racing driver Matt Halliday is returning to contest the 2010 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and will be driving for the new Kiwi team, Giltrap Racing, under direction of German organisation MRS Racing. Halliday contested six rounds of the 2009 Championship and finished 7th overall in the points and also took out the coveted Rookie Trophy.

The popular Kiwi impressed with his debut appearance in the Series which also saw him contest a race with MRS thus giving him an insight into the team operation which led to his being signed for this year's full championship. The campaign marks the debut appearance of a New Zealand team with Halliday being officially supported by Porsche New Zealand through the Giltrap Group.

The ten rounds of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup are contested as support events to ten rounds of the FIA World Formula 1 Championship including Bahrain, Spain, Monaco, Europe (Valencia), Great Britain, Germany, Turkey, Belgium and Italy.

Team Principal at MRS Racing, Karsten Molitor, was impressed with Halliday's performances in his debut Porsche Supercup campaign together with his efforts in previous New Zealand Porsche GT3 Championships. Despite not being able to partake in the pre-season testing sessions, they are confident the experienced Kiwi will soon be up to speed with the early pace setters:

"I am really looking forward to the coming season with such a highly regarded team with whom I have previously enjoyed some success. It is significant that we have a real New Zealand effort behind us which will continue to maintain the high Kiwi motor racing profile in Europe. I am grateful to the Giltrap Group who have placed their faith in me to challenge for the prestigious Supercup" Halliday said from his California home today.

Rounds 1 and 2 of the 2010 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup will be held at the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain this coming weekend of March 13th and 14th. The following week, Halliday will return to New Zealand to contest the final round of the Battery Town Porsche GT3 Challenge at Taupo Motorsport Park.

2010 PORSCHE MOBIL 1 SUPERCUP CALENDER:
Round 1 13 March Bahrain (Sakhir)
Round 2 14 March Bahrain (Sakhir)
Round 3 09 May Spain (Catalunya)
Round 4 16 May Monaco (Monte Carlo)
Round 5 27 June Europe (Valencia)
Round 6 11 July Great Britain (Silverstone)
Round 7 25 July Germany (Hockenheim)
Round 8 01 August Turkey (Budapest)
Round 9 29 August Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps)
Round 10 12 September Italy (Monza)

Media: Kevin Lancaster  Photo: SportProMedia