There could be no denying the success of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Junior scheme at figuring out proficient sportscar stars of the long run. Not solely have every of the previous 4 Juniors gone on to win the Carrera Cup GB title – and present Junior Adam Smalley is heading this yr’s standings, too – however they’ve continued to impress past the UK collection. Two are actually manufacturing unit drivers with main GT producers whereas one other is firmly within the Porsche Supercup championship hunt after a powerful begin to the marketing campaign.
It’s actually no coincidence these former Juniors are actually having fun with flourishing careers. The whole choice course of is meticulous – proper from contemplating the preliminary purposes, to interviewing candidates, choosing finalists after which assessing the shootout itself. Nothing is left to likelihood in the case of selecting Porsche GB’s subsequent rising star. “It’s a confirmed Junior programme that actually does set them up for the long run as a racing driver,” says Porsche GB Motorsport Supervisor James MacNaughton. “Each time we undergo the method we study extra as nicely.”
And now that course of is starting once more as purposes are open for the 2024-25 Junior programme. The important thing options of the scheme which have made it so successful stay: £85,000 in the direction of the Junior’s finances throughout every of the 2 seasons, entry to skilled Porsche engineers on race weekends, a bespoke health schedule with Porsche Human Efficiency, and intensive media coaching.
“It’s been life-changing,” says Smalley, who urges drivers aged between 16 and 21 on 1 February 2024 to use to develop into the subsequent Junior. “I’ve to say an enormous thanks to Porsche GB for giving me the chance – with out them, I wouldn’t be the place I’m at present. Because the Junior driver, you’re given monetary assist every year in the direction of your racing in addition to being educated in all of the completely different facets of what’s required to be an expert racing driver.
“Beginning off, you have got the technical facet of the programme. Every weekend you’re given assist and recommendation from the Porsche engineers on the best way to maximise your on-track efficiency. It helped me massively to rise up to hurry with the automotive because it was very completely different from any automotive that I’d pushed earlier than. They helped me to know how completely different parts work, which massively expanded my technical data.
“One of the crucial essential facets of the programme is the media coaching and assist. Porsche are excellent at showcasing the Junior driver and placing them within the highlight. Over the course of the 2 years, I’ve had a number of completely different interviews however, with the assistance from the media coaching, it made me really feel far more comfy and assured in these conditions.
“You additionally spend numerous time working with the Porsche Human Efficiency workforce. Earlier than the Junior programme, I went to the gymnasium however did generic workouts, however now I do know what’s required to be racing match. Working with these guys who’re totally motorsport-based makes you perceive which muscle teams to work to be robust within the automotive. They tailor a health programme particularly round me, which features a coaching, food plan and sleep programme to verify I’m acting at one of the best of my capacity.”
Present Porsche Junior Adam Smalley leads this yr’s standings
Picture by: Porsche
A more recent component of the assist the chosen Junior receives is the prospect to work alongside a sports activities psychologist to assist them deal with motorsport’s extremely demanding nature, and this highlights simply how wide-reaching the scheme is. “The factor all of us as a workforce actually take pleasure in is seeing the event of the total racing driver,” provides MacNaughton. “The distinction between what they’re like on the finish of the 2 years in comparison with the beginning is large.”
Away from the Carrera Cup, the Junior additionally will get the prospect to characterize Porsche at a wide range of high-profile occasions. Smalley, for instance, was a category winner within the hillclimb shootout on the Goodwood Pageant of Pace lately and likewise accomplished sizzling laps in a Porsche Taycan on the London Components E weekend. “Driving the 1987 Le Mans-winning Porsche 962C on the Goodwood Members’ Assembly was wonderful – I by no means thought I might have the ability to drive automobiles that I grew up dreaming of driving,” says Smalley.
With Porsche increasing its racing dedication this yr with the launch of its LMDh programme – with buyer groups additionally in search of Porsche-backed drivers for his or her 963 LMDhs, too – there has by no means been a greater time to enter the Porsche pyramid. In case you’re an aspiring sportscar star and need to observe in Smalley’s footsteps, benefiting from the large vary of experiences accessible to the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Junior, apply at present.
Methods to apply
If you can be aged between 16 and 21 on 1 February 2024, maintain a Nationwide race licence, and have competed in no a couple of Porsche Carrera Cup GB race weekend, you might be eligible to enter the 2024-25 Porsche GB Junior programme. To use, head to porsche.com/uk/motorsportandevents/porschecarreracupgreatbritain/features/junior-programme/ and full the appliance type. Additionally, you will must submit a 300-word masking letter explaining why you need to be thought of as the subsequent Junior.
The ultimate deadline for purposes is 21 August 2023.