Donegal Motor Racing Star Damien Faulkner has been invited by Lechner Racing to compete for them in the opening round of the 2006 Porsche Michelin Supercup, which is the main support race for the opening Formula One Grand Prix of the season in Bahrain this coming weekend (Sunday March 10th).

The chance to compete in the most prestigious one make sportscar series in the world was extended to Faulkner by the 2005 Supercup championship winning team 'Lechner Racing', for whom he will race the No. 23 Car sponsored by 'ARCAPITA BANK. The exciting opportunity is a direct result of his impressive performances on the way to winning the Porsche Carrera Cup GB last season.

Faulkner expressed his delighted at receiving the opportunity to compete in the Supercup saying. "I've known Walter Lechner for a long time and I am honoured that he has asked me to represent his team in what is a very important race for them, as they have strong backing from Bahrain based businesses for the event. For me this event is also a very important first step into the series that is the logical step for me if I want to progress up the Porsche Racing ladder in the future. The invitation is undoubtedly related to my success last season in the British series and I would like to thank Walter Lechner for giving me this opportunity."

Following the Bahrain Supercup, Damien will return to the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, where he has re-signed to defend his title with, sponsor Eddie McElhinney's, Team SAS, running as last year with Parker Racing. "While the Supercup race is a very exciting opportunity my loyalty and main focus remains with Team SAS and the defence of both my British title, and the team title which SAS won last season.

Last week saw the first test outing for Faulkner in the new Team SAS Porsche 997 GT3 Cup car which, following a season of competition in the International Supercup, has been introduced to the UK this year. With the British series now running cars to the same specification as the Supercup, Faulkner's test mileage has given him valuable experience of the 997 model prior to his Supercup debut.

Straight after the UK test the Irish driver was on a flight to Bahrain to take part in last weekends first official Porsche test of the season and he is staying on to compete in the Grand Prix supporting event which will be televised live on ' Eurosport 2' at 10.00am on Sunday morning.