Porsche Carrera Cup GB, the fastest single marque GT racing championship in the UK, has commenced its search for the next promising young talent in motorsport – one of the most unique and valuable opportunities in the sport. Offering a prize unrivalled in UK motorsport, the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Junior Programme – running since 2008 and previously known as the Porsche GB Scholarship – seeks to identify and nurture young racing talent, supporting an entry into the Porsche Motorsport pyramid which can see drivers progress all the way to the international stage. Underlining the importance of the opportunity for career development is the current roster of Porsche factory drivers – around two-thirds of which is made up of former Juniors.
The programme offers substantial assistance to the successful candidate, encouraging them to reach their full racing potential across two seasons. The selected Porsche GB Junior benefits from £85,000 per annum towards their Carrera Cup GB racing budget, extensive technical support from Porsche Motorsport engineers, specialist media training, and a full Porsche Human Performance fitness programme.
In addition to competing in the 2020 / 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup GB championship amongst a grid of mechanically identical 485 hp ‘Type 991’ Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars, the 2020 / 2021 Porsche GB Junior will act as a Porsche ambassador. This includes representing the marque at high profile events such as the Goodwood Members’ Meeting and Festival of Speed. The 2020 / 2021 Porsche GB Junior also receives a fully-funded drive in Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup alongside the British Grand Prix in 2021. Additional benefits include tailored Porsche racing apparel – including race suits, gloves, and boots – plus a 40 per cent discount on Stilo competition helmets.
Shortlisted applicants will take part in a three-part assessment process comprising a track-based shoot-out, fitness tests in the gym, and media training where applicants are evaluated for their potential in front of the camera – all at the Porsche Experience Centre, Silverstone. Former Porsche GB Juniors include Josh Webster (2014 / 2015) and Charlie Eastwood (2016 / 2017) – both Porsche Carrera Cup GB champions – while Porsche GB 2018 / 2019 Junior Dan Harper (JTR) currently leads the 2019 championship.
18-year-old Porsche GB 2018 / 2019 Junior Dan Harper (JTR) – and current Porsche Carrera Cup GB championship leader: “It’s been an amazing two years for me and definitely puts me in good stead for the future. You only have to look at the likes of my team boss at JTR, Nick Tandy – who competed in Porsche Carrera Cup GB – now a factory Porsche driver who has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Hopefully I can emulate his career path and continue in the Porsche pyramid –.my aim is to step up to Porsche Supercup in the future.”
Porsche GB Junior Harper followed in the footsteps of his predecessor, Charlie Eastwood: “I knew Charlie quite well and knew that his two years as a scholar were coming to an end, but I had no intention of applying for the Junior programme because I was 16 and had little experience. Charlie sent me a message the night before the deadline and asking if I had entered, he said ‘even if you don’t win it’ll be an amazing chance to get your name out there’ – so I decided to enter. It shows that even if you doubt yourself, there’s no reason not to enter.”
Assisting successful drivers in their rise through the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid, the highest ranked and eligible driver from Porsche Carrera Cup GB each year, which will include the Porsche GB Junior in 2021, will also be invited to the global Porsche Motorsport Junior Shootout. Leading Porsche Carrera Cup drivers from around the world will compete against each other for a position on this prestigious programme, which offers a supported position in Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.
Applicants for the 2020 / 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup GB Junior Programme must be aged between 17 and 22 as of 1st February 2020, hold a minimum of a National A race licence, and have competed in no more than one Porsche Carrera Cup GB race weekend. Applications are being taken, and the deadline is 10th September 2019. An application form, further details and a short video can be found at porsche.com/uk/pccgb-junior-programme.
Source. Porsche
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