THE Porsche Michelin Junior Program will be elevated to a new level this year, with a record group of talented young drivers from Australia and New Zealand today announced as those to have been awarded a contract for the 2024 season.

They will be supported with a record level of investment from Porsche Cars Australia, Michelin and new Porsche Michelin Junior camp partner BWT to support the journeys of the talented young pilots competing in one-make Porsche racing in Australia.

23 drivers, aged between 17 and 23, will be supported by Porsche and Michelin this year competing across the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Championship and the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia Series.

The announcement comes with the launch of a new documentary, titled ‘Seas the Day’, which showcases the process the class of 2024 went through to obtain their Junior Contracts for the year ahead via an intensive three-day training course held on the Gold Coast in late February.

The Porsche Michelin Junior Camp powered by BWT was expanded this year, with the support to a three-day event in Coolangatta.

The rigorous program, developed by renowned motorsport coaching and training specialists at Reaction Performance, featured a diverse range of development opportunities incorporating various physical and mindset challenges throughout the camp.

Classroom sessions included physical and mindset preparation, engineering insights, and for the first time a serious media training element with a focus on interview skills and social media.

Titled ‘Seas the Day’, a 14-minute film has been produced showcasing the entire camp, highlighting the array of challenges, including a Surf Life Saving course hosted by the Tweed Heads and Coolangatta Surf Life Saving Club, fun, camaraderie as well as the incredible locations in the southern end of the Gold Coast.

All participating drivers earned their Junior contracts, which were presented at the conclusion of the camp.

Michelin Junior winners in each category at each round receive a free set of Michelin Pilot Sport race tyres and a free entry to a subsequent round of their championship or series.

The drivers who finish second and third at each round also win a set of Michelin Tyres for their efforts.

The top Michelin Junior point scorer in Carrera Cup also receives Australia’s nomination to contest the Porsche Junior Shootout in Europe at the conclusion of the 2024 season, with travel funded by Porsche Motorsport Australia.

In total more than $250,000 worth of prizes and support are on offer this year, a record investment by both Porsche Cars Australia and major partner, Michelin.

BARRY HAY – Porsche Motorsport Australia

“We are very proud of the group of young drivers who will be representing Porsche and Michelin in Sprint Challenge and Carrera Cup this year.

“It is not only the largest group of Junior drivers we have ever had in our pathway, but it’s a group filled with incredible ability, motivation, talent and drive to become the best at their craft.

“The Michelin Junior program isn’t just about arriving and driving – all of these drivers have earned their ticket at our Porsche Michelin Junior Camp powered by BWT, held in February this year.

“They all worked hard for it and proved to us that they had the right stuff which is incredibly exciting.

“We looked around this group of drivers and we knew straight away that there are going to be some world-class champions among them. It’s an elite group and it bodes incredibly well for the 2024 season and beyond.

“We’re very proud of the film that documents the Junior Camp – it’s fun, engaging and showcases the personalities and abilities of the drivers while hopefully inspiring the next group of Michelin Juniors looking to enter the program in the future.”

LEIGH STAMATION – Reaction Performance

“We developed the 2024 Porsche Michelin Junior Camp powered by BWT to offer a comprehensive experience, equipping young drivers with the essential tools for their journey towards becoming successful professional racing car drivers.

Our approach blends physical activities with classroom immersions that integrate mindset coaching and engineering of both car and driver. Leveraging Coolangatta’s exceptional backdrop of sun and surf, hills and trails, gym facilities and recovery resources, allowed our team to assemble a complete performance camp package aimed at nurturing both body and mind.

It’s been a thrill collaborating with Porsche and these talented young drivers, as we’ve designed a program that not only challenges them in the moment but also fosters long-term growth and development through our ongoing support within our driver coaching, mindset, and training programs.”

2024 PORSCHE MICHELIN JUNIOR DRIVERS

Lachlan Bloxsom – Carrera Cup
Hamish Fitzsimmons – Sprint Challenge
Marcos Flack – Carrera Cup
Brock Gilchrist – Sprint Challenge
Marco Giltrap – Carrera Cup
Ryan Hadden – Sprint Challenge
Bayley Hall – Carrera Cup
Matt Hillyer – Sprint Challenge
Ayrton Hodson – Sprint Challenge
Tom McLennan – Carrera Cup
Nash Morris – Carrera Cup
Angelo Mouzouris – Carrera Cup
Slade Orsmond – Sprint Challenge
Clay Osborne – Sprint Challenge
Ryder Quinn – Carrera Cup
Jake Santalucia – Sprint Challenge
Aron Shields – Sprint Challenge
Conor Somers – Sprint Challenge
Zac Stichbury – Sprint Challenge
Caleb Sumich – Sprint Challenge
Oscar Targett – Sprint Challenge
Ben Taylor – Sprint Challenge
Jackson Walls – Carrera Cup