Michelin Australia have reaffirmed their support of the Porsche Junior Development Programme for 2020
Porsche Cars Australia and Michelin Australia have again partnered to deliver the most proven and successful driver development programme in the country.
The programme remains an integral part of the Porsche Motorsport pyramid spanning across both the Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia Championship and the newly rebranded Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series.
To be eligible as a Michelin Junior in 2020, Michelin Sprint Challenge drivers must be aged under 23 as of January 01, 2020, while Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup drivers must be aged under 25 as of January 01, 2020.
All Michelin Juniors in each series must commit to a full season and carry additional Michelin Junior branding on their racing apparel and Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars. All eligible young drivers across both Michelin Sprint Challenge and Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup will enjoy a massive prize pool for the 2020 season, valued at approximately AUD$300,000.
All Michelin Juniors will also be invited to attend the Michelin Junior Training day program which will take place in Melbourne in the first half of next year.
The 2019 Michelin Junior Training days saw Australia’s top junior drivers receive professional coaching on sports psychology, social media, media training, branding, sponsorship and more from Australia’s leading experts.
The drivers also received nutrition and dietary advice after completing a thorough physical assessment. At the end of the comprehensive two-day programme, drivers were able to compare their physical condition against that of their rivals and gain knowledge of a range of aspects including their body fat percentage, resting metabolic rates and body mass index to name but a few.
The 2020 Michelin Junior programme will again feature a Michelin Super Round, to be held at the Australian Grand Prix, from which the round-winning Michelin Junior will receive a trip to France to attend the 2020 Le Mans 24-Hour Endurance race.
The main goal for the Michelin Junior drivers is an opportunity to attend the Porsche Motorsport Junior Programme Shootout which continues to play a crucial role in the development of the best emerging talent globally and is seen as the benchmark pathway for talented drivers to progress to the highest level.
The driver who wins the Michelin Junior competition in the premier Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia Championship will be nominated to attend the Porsche Junior Shootout at the end of the 2020 season.
This year, Michelin Junior champion, Jordan Love competed against Carrera Cup Champions from the leading one-make Porsche championships around the world in three-day, all expenses paid driving evaluation at the Portimao circuit.
In addition to this, the 2020 Michelin Junior winner will also receive a trip to Germany in December to attend the 2020 Porsche Motorsport Night of Champions in Weissach.
On the announcement, Porsche Cars Australia’s Head of Motorsport, Troy Bundy said, “The Porsche Michelin Junior Programme is an important element of our local motor racing programme and the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid continues to cement a pathway for the best young talent to reach the highest levels of the sport. Our 2016 and 2018 Carrera Cup champions, Matt Campbell and Jaxon Evans are the best examples of this and have both gone onto established professional racing careers in Europe, with Matt recently elevated to a full factory works drive and Jaxon conducting his second year as a Porsche Junior.”
“Locally, we’re immensely proud to have had these two incredible talents rise through our system and we hope that this programme gives the 2020 cast of Michelin Juniors the best possible chance to follow in Matt’s and Jaxon’s footsteps.”
“Such a comprehensive driver development programme wouldn’t be possible without the support of Michelin Australia, who sees the potential in current Australian-based Porsche drivers and the importance to providing a programme through which young drivers can realise their racing dreams.”
Michelin Australia’s Marketing Manager Oceania, Swaroop Tulsidas, is excited to continue the French brand’s support of the region’s young racers.
“The Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Series and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge categories are like no other in Australia; highly competitive, showcasing door-to-door racing from an incredible group of talented drivers. We are proud to continue our support of the next generation of motorsport stars through the Porsche Junior program.”
“The young drivers receive unprecedented support from both the Porsche and Michelin team to develop their skills through a one-of-a-kind training program; providing them with the tools they need to succeed both on and off the track. To see the likes of Jaxon Evans, Matt Campbell and newly crowned Porsche Carrera Cup champion Jordan Love progress through this program is simply brilliant. Michelin is excited to be a part of their journey and look forward to seeing who will add their name to the winners’ list for next season.”
VIDEO LINK: Porsche Michelin Junior Programme 2019 review: https://youtu.be/CB1OHplS3jI
VIDEO LINK: Porsche Michelin Junior Training Days 2019: https://youtu.be/cquPduF6iqw
For more information on the 2020 Porsche Michelin Junior Programme Australia email motorsport@porsche.com.au
Sources: Angus Thompson/Porsche Cars Australia
Porsche Cars Australia and Michelin Australia have again partnered to deliver the most proven and successful driver development programme in the country.