Shanghai, China. Five times and reigning Porsche Carrera Cup Asia champions Team StarChase are welcoming an exciting new recruit to the team for the 2020 season, with teenage talent Johnathan Hoggard signing with the Chinese squad as he makes his debut in the toughest one-make championship in the Asian region.

The 19-year-old has established himself as one of the brightest young talents in the British single-seaters paddocks over the last two years, making his mark in the ultra-competitive British Formula 3.

2019 was a year to remember for Hoggard: seven wins and second in the British Formula 3 standings as a rookie and victory in the coveted Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award. Prior to his British F3 campaign, Hoggard spent a season-and-a-half in the British Formula 4 series, winning a total of eight races and finishing third in the 2018 standings.

Having helped propel the career of its former drivers like Alexandre Imperatori, Nico Menzel or Philip Hamprecht into the international spotlight, Team StarChase has earned a reputation for identifying and nurturing young talent to its full potential.

Weston Hills teenager will now make the transition to GT racing for the first time in the Carrera Cup Asia and he has already started getting to grips with the BASF-owned Glasurit Automotive Refinish orange liveried No. 99 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 991 II) during some productive winter test days at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.

Mr. Robby Niermann, Chief Executive Officer Greater China of StarChase, commented: “Team StarChase can’t wait to kick off the 2020 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia season! We’ll take the starting grid under the global spotlights of the first ever Formula 1 Grand Prix in Vietnam – it is an honor to be part of this historic event! This season Team StarChase introduces a new and exciting driver to the world of Porsche GT racing – Johnathan Hoggard, the winner of the 2019 AMABA. We believe Johnathan has all the qualities required to succeed in the series – natural speed, passion, and dedication! His decision to join Team StarChase recognises our strong record of developing young drivers on their way to a professional career in motorsport.

It's worth mentioning that Team StarChase is proud to have our partner BASF supporting this project for another five years! The team is ready and the stage is set for a great year of Porsche racing!”

Hoggard is under no illusions as he enters a hugely competitive championship, but he relies on the team’s experience in the series and Absolute Racing technical service support. Team StarChase is the most successful team in Porsche Carrera Cup Asia history, winning the Drivers’ titles on five occasions, recording over 40 race victories and 80 podium finishes in the championship to date.

Commented the new Team StarChase signing: “I’m looking forward to the championship and working with Team StarChase. I am a newcomer and first I have a lot to learn, so that is where the focus is. I am getting used to the Porsche and adjusting myself to the climate in Asia. It is just awesome to have this opportunity and I want to repay the confidence that the team has placed in me!”

The 18th Porsche Carrera Cup Asia season gets underway in support of the first Vietnam F1 Grand Prix in Hanoi in April. The following 14-race championship visits Thailand, Malaysia, and supports the Singapore F1 Grand Prix in September, before coming full circle to end the season in Shanghai, this time in support of the Shanghai 888 event. To prepare the season ahead, Team StarChase will take part in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Asia this weekend at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.