A1 Team Ireland driver Michael Devaney has been chosen by Porsche Cars GB to be its guest driver for the opening rounds of the 2006 Porsche Carrera Cup GB to be held at Mondello Park.

The Carrera cup will be in Ireland to support the British Touring Car Championship which kicks off this weekend at the historic Kildare circuit.

Devaney has only recently returned from China where he finished 4th in the Chinese A1 Grand Prix Sprint Race on Shanghai's Grand prix circuit before having a spectacular accident when taken out by Indonesia in the Feature event. However he is keen to get on with things and relishes the opportunity to drive the Vertu-backed 997-model Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car which will be his first experience of sporstcar racing.

"I have always been keen to take part in motorsport no matter what form, after being part of what has been a fantastic season of A1 racing this has come at an ideal time where I can practice my racing skills. A1GP has provided some of the closest racing ever seen and having seen the Carrera Cup before on TV I know I can expect a similar story here this weekend."

Going on to talk of the opportunity Devaney added: "I am really excited and honoured to be asked by Porsche to drive the guest car. I've always wanted to try a GT car and it is something I have never had the opportunity to do before. It will be fantastic to be racing back at my home track again after four years away and I'm sure a little different with a roof over my head! I would like to thank Porsche Cars GB for inviting me to take part in what is sure to be a great weekends racing. I want to thank Mondello for their support this weekend." He also added "I'm looking forward to having a lot of fun this weekend. The regular drivers competing for the Championship will no doubt be extremely quick, but I hope to try and learn the car in the short time available and try to mix things up!"

The weekends competition will consist of an official Carrera Cup test session on the Friday followed by Qualifying on Saturday morning with races on both Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.