Best back on the scene with Carrera Cup cameo

Zak Best will return to racing at Sandown, with the former Super2 title contender racing an EMA Motorsport Porsche in the Carrera Cup category.

Best, 22, will make his Carrera Cup debut with EMA at this weekend's Penrite Oil Sandown 500.

The young driver will carry Link Cold Storage & Transport backing for the event, which marks EMA's first race in Australia since victory in the Repco Bathurst 12 Hour.

The team also helped British driver Harry King win all three races and the round at Mount Panorama last October.

Best returns to the Australian racing fold, having finished second in the 2021, 2022 and 2023 Dunlop Series, alongside Great Race starts with Tickford Racing in all three years.

The Victorian missed out on Super2 and enduro drives in 2024, but will have a presence at a Supercar round after all, albeit in Carrera Cup.

“I’m excited to be back in a race car and to be joining a great category like Carrera Cup. Joining EMA Motorsport has been great and have this opportunity to build something good moving forward," said Best, who tested a Porsche at the Nürburgring earlier this year.

“Sitting on the other side was the first learning curve in adapting to the Porsche. With the rear engine the setups very different and warming the car is all different, but I am enjoying the experience so far and have had a few test days to get up to speed.

“To have the chance to run around the GP track at Nürburgring and lean off some of the really good guys over there was great – I worked with Larry ten Voorde throughout the day and that was fantastic.

“I don’t think many people have an idea of just how good EMA are. Hopefully we can show that they are there to win – they are a great team and it’s a privilege to be driving for them.”

Marcus Cole, EMA Motorsport Team Manager, added: “We have been working diligently behind the scenes to return EMA to Carrera Cup this season and we are happy to have come to the point where we can announce that Zak Best will be in the #90 Porsche for Sandown.

“Zak has been very impressive in testing and is hungry to show what he is capable of this season.

“It’s exciting for EMA Motorsport to work with Zak and get back on track in a bid to continue our run of success in Australia, including the Bathurst 12 Hour and the Bathurst round of Carrera Cup Australia last year.

“The field is as competitive as ever but we know we are up for the challenge and with Zak we have the driver to do the job behind the wheel.”