BIG NEWS from New Zealand this week with confirmation that Earl Bamber Motorsport will switch their one-make Carrera Cup campaign from Asia to Australia in 2021.
EBM – headed by Le Mans winner and World Endurance Champion Earl and his brother Will – will field a multi-car outfit in both the Porsche Carrera Cup and Sprint Challenge category.
They’ve also confirmed they’ll field a Porsche NZ-backed development squad which will offer scholarships to young New Zealand drivers: The first wave will include young-gun Matthew Payne plus Madeline Stewart (main picture) and Callum Hedge.
It’s great news – for the Bambers, for the series itself and for the young drivers who are going to get a ripping chance to strut their stuff in a high profile category and with tangible opportunities to progress their careers.
“We are really excited about the Team Porsche NZ Scholarship,” Earl Bamber said.
“It is something we’re proud to offer and it gives a solid platform for young Kiwi drivers to aspire to from karts and other national championships. It’s about providing a path-way to a professional motorsports career.”
In recent years, Matt Campbell, Jaxon Evans and Jordan Love have all progressed through Sprint Challenge, to Carrera Cup and onwards to Supercup – in the case of the first two, via the Porsche Shootout which offers the winner a scholarship to the top one-make category.
Both Carrera Cup and Sprint Challenge Australia have comprehensive Junior programs, backed by Tyre supplier Michelin, which help fund and develop the young talent within the category, too.
The Porsche model in Australia is unique because at the moment – Toyota Racing Series and the Aussie-based Gazoo 86 Series aside – their championships are the only ones offering a tangible ‘ladder’ system for young drivers in this part of the world.
Supercars announced a prize fund to assist the Super2 series champion to progress to the main game, but that was axed in light of COVID-19. Formula 4 had some success but withered away leaving Porsche as the most viable place for young drivers to have a proper go in this part of the world.
The Auckland-based Payne is something of a talent.
As well as winning the KZ2 National championship last year, he made his name in the local Porsche scene by taking part in the official Porsche Australia-run Eseries run during the Covid lockdown.
Rather appropriately, he’s targeted a career as a works Porsche driver, making this step the best possible for him.
“To be the driver selected by Porsche New Zealand for their scholarship at this age is something very special, it will be awesome to be mentored by such an accomplished driver and team and I will take this opportunity with both hands and make them proud,” Payne said when announced.
“I’ve always wanted to race Porsche cars and race the Australian Championship. It’s a real privilege. It’s a step toward my ultimate goal of racing GT Endurance cars at famous tracks like Le Mans, Daytona, Bathurst. Nurburgring and many more.”
Assuming he goes well in his debut Carrera Cup season, there’s no reason he won’t be able to create those opportunities. As well as the career leg-up potentially afforded by racing in one-make Porsche competition, the fact his team owner is one of the more decorated drivers the brand has in their stable will certainly help open some doors.
Making all this even more worthwhile is the fact that Carrera Cup Australia itself will – all going to plan – race across the Tasman next year, supporting the Supercars Championship at the annual Auckland Super Sprint.
It will give the Kiwi team and their Kiwi driver a massive platform to launch in their inaugural season and give the program a massive boost in front of the local faithful.
In a year of bad news, it’s great to see two strong motorsport brands – Porsche and Bamber – working together and expanding their existing relationship to give young drivers from this part of the world an opportunity to chase their dreams.
Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia Championship
1/ Melbourne VIC – Mar
2/ The Bend SA – 8-9 May
3/ Townsville QLD – 9-10 Jul
4/ SMP Night NSW – 20-22 Aug
5/ Perth WA – 11-12 Sep
6/ Bathurst 1000 NSW – 7-10 Oct
7/ Auckland NZ – 6-7 Nov
8/ Gold Coast QLD – 3-5 Dec
Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge
1/ Phillip Island VIC – Feb (TBC)
2/ Sydney NSW – May 1-2
3/ Morgan Park QLD – 25-27 Jun
4/ Sandown VIC – 10-12 Sep
5/ Tailem Bend SA – 15-17 Oct
6/ Bathurst Int. NSW – TBC
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