Picture of the Week: Hideto Yasuoka, Carrera Cup Japan

The next round of the Carrera Cup GB takes place at Snetterton this weekend after a six-week break, but over the past month there's been plenty of excitement in other Carrera Cup series worldwide.

Last weekend young driver Hideto Yasuoka (Garmin Porsche, top picture) won both races six and seven of the Carrera Cup Japan, in the wet at Sportsland Sugo. Yasuoka stormed away both times after safety car phases, and was awarded maximum points.

Alessandro Balzan (Ebimotors - Centro Porsche Varese, second picture) has extended his championship lead in the Carrera Cup Italia after a win in race eight at Mugello last weekend; he came in ahead of Vito Postiglione after 14 laps by just 1.8 seconds. Race nine went to Massimo Monti (Antonelli Motorsport), with Alessandro Bonacini in second place. Balzan charted the fastest laps in both races, however, and has a clear lead in the points table with 133 points, ahead of Postiglione's 90.

Kévin Estre (AS Events, third picture) is leading the Matmut Carrera Cup France after six straight wins, the latest at the Porsche Festival on the Circuit Bugatti du Mans on 17th July. Meanwhile in Townsville, Australia, New Zealander Daniel Gaunt (fourth picture) took all three IFX Carrera Cup Australia races at the meeting 9th/10th July. Johnny Reid, who took two second places at the event, still holds the championship, however.

Rounds five and six of the Carrera Cup Asia took place in Ordos, China, on 9th and 10th July; Keita Sawa (LKM Racing) achieved his first win in the series in round five, and Rodolfo Avila (Jebsen) his first win of the season. Avila, from Macau, has now edged into the lead in the championship ahead of Alexandre Imperatori.