The 2009 Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama will kick off the fifth season of competition at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring March 19-20. Sanctioned by the International Motor Sports Association and in conjunction with Porsche Motorsport North America, the series gives top semi-professional and gentlemen drivers from North America the opportunity to compete with such prestigious organizations as the American Le Mans Series in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup racer.

Based on the single-makes championship series in several countries, and using the Porsche Carrera Cup structure as a guideline, IMSA will administer the series from its Braselton, Georgia, headquarters including the handling of entries, rules enforcement, race control, and championship points. In 2009, as in 2008, Patrón GT3 Challenge competitors will race in two classes, Platinum and Gold.

The purpose-built race cars, based on the Porsche 997 body style, will have sealed engines and transmissions, providing for close racing where the driver's talents are exemplified.

Porsche Motorsport North America provides technical support for the series with personnel, parts and expertise both away from and at the track.

The Patrón GT3 Challenge will compete at seven different North American venues in 2009 including Mosport International Raceway in Bowmanville, Canada. Other stops on the 2009 schedule include - Sebring International Raceway, Miller Motorsports Park, Autobahn Country Club, Road America, Road Atlanta and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Each event will have two 30 minute races, except for the Monterey Sports Car Championship which will consist of one 30 minute race and one 1 hour 15 minute endurance race.