Porsche Increases Support for Young Driver Development in Australia
Porsche Cars Australia will offer further opportunities to young drivers in Australia, via sponsorship of three key potential feeder categories to the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge and Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia.
At the conclusion of the 2019 season, champion drivers from both the Australian Formula Ford and the Porsche 944 Challenge will be joined by a top Karter from the SP Tools Australian Kart Championship, in being offered a Porsche GT3 Cup Track Experience valued at approximately $7,000 each.
The GT3 Cup Track Experience involves a full day behind the wheel of a current-specification Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car (Gen II), the same car used in highly competitive Porsche Carrera Cup Championships campaigned around the globe.
Held at Queensland Raceway, drivers will be given professional guidance and assessment by Bathurst winners and Porsche Chief Instructors Tomas Mezera and Luke Youlden and their team of experienced race engineers. This exclusive experience will not only build their confidence, but ability across the day.
The GT3 Cup Track Experience is the perfect stepping stone for both young drivers seeking to progress their careers and more experienced drivers to elevate their racing to the next level.
“We are pleased to expand our support of Australian Motor Sport to these three exciting categories,” said Motorsport Manager for Porsche Cars Australia, Troy Bundy.
“Karting and Formula Ford are key to young driver development and have a long track record of producing talent that excels in Porsche Cup racing. The Porsche 944 challenge is also the first step on the Porsche Motorsport pyramid and an affordable introduction for drivers of all ages to one-make Porsche racing. We are proud to support this great class.
“Porsche and our partners have made a significant investment into driver development locally and we are proud to expand that further this year.”
The announcement increases an already significant investment in junior driver development within Australian Motorsport. Working with major partner Michelin, Porsche’s Michelin Junior Program supports a total of eleven young drivers competing in the Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge this year, with approximately $300,000 in support and prizes on offer.
As part of the program, Michelin Junior driver Jordan Love received a trip to Germany to experience the Formula E Berlin E-Prix on May 25 by virtue of winning the ‘Michelin Super Round’ at the Australian Grand Prix. As in previous years, the leading Porsche Michelin Junior competing in Porsche Carrera Cup Australia will receive a nomination to the Porsche Motorsport Junior Program Shootout in Europe later this year.
The winner of which will receive a scholarship to contest the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in 2020, following in the footsteps of both Jaxon Evans and Matt Campbell.
Sources: Angus Thompson/Porsche Cars Australia PR