Carson, California. Growing on the remarkable success of its Porsche Junior Program North Americain 2022, Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA) announces a 14 driver lineup for 2023. These drivers will compete across the Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America, Porsche Sprint Challenge North America (992 class) and the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America (GT4 class) series. The Porsche Junior Program North America is an intricate part of the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid on the continent, a level-by-level process of driver development from karting to the highest levels of endurance sports car racing.
All Porsche Junior Drivers will be invited to attend the official Porsche Junior Workshop to be conducted at the Porsche Experience Center Atlanta from July 20–21, 2023.The workshop provides an opportunity for the junior drivers across allt hree categories to receive a range of education, training and support to take the next step in their career. Additionally, all Porsche Junior Program North America drivers will have the right to use the official designation, including the use of the official program logo, in promoting themselves.
In addition to the education and training, the recipient in both Carrera Cup and Sprint Challenge receive a range of financial support throughout the year with the junior champion from each Sprint Challenge program receiving free entry in the 2024 season. The Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup Junior Champion will be awarded a nomination to attend the Porsche Global Junior Shootout at the end of the year. There they will compete against the best junior drivers from around the world to be crowned the official Porsche Junior. The Porsche Junior receives funding to compete in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in the 2024 season. If a driver is unsuccessful in the Global Shootout, they still have the opportunity to compete in GT3 racing in North America as part of the Porsche Selected Driver program.
Porsche Junior Program North America Drivers.
Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America.
Elias De La Torre IV. JDX Racing
Riley Dickinson Kellymoss
Jimmy Llibre MDK Motorsports
Will Martin JDX Racing
Thomas Nepveu McElrea Racing
Thomas Sargent McElrea Racing
Sean Varwig Kellymoss
Travis Wiley Topp Racing
Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama.
Cayman Class.
Paul Bocuse Zotz Racing
Chloe Chambers TPC Racing
Nick Maloy Tatum Racing
Riley Pegram MDK Motorsports
992 Class.
Aidan Kenny ACI Motorsports
Zach Vanier MDK Motorsports
Enhancements. Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama. 992 class.
Drivers in the 992 class – which exclusively uses the type 992 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car – will have the opportunity to compete for a full-season, paid entry to the 2024 Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America. After two rounds held at Sebring International Raceway, Canadian Zachary Vanier is the 992 class points leader at this time.
Enhancements. Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama. Cayman class.
Among participants in the all-Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport category, the winning Junior driver of each round will receive a free set of Yokohama tires and a free entry into the next round of the championship. The overall champion will receive a free season-long entry into the next level, the 992 class, for the following season. Paul Bocuse enters rounds three and four as the points leader of the Cayman Pro/Am class.
Drivers will have their next opportunities to take the lead in the respective Junior championships when the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama races April 28 – 30 at Birmingham, Alabama’s Barber Motorsports Park. Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America is scheduled for May 5 – 7 in Miami as support for Formula 1 ®.
Volker Holzmeyer, president and CEO, Porsche Motorsport North America.
“A strong development program is key to the overall health of our sport and to the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid. Since my arrival, we have put a great deal of attention on creating a pathway for drivers to move up to through the ranks with an emphasis on talent. This isn’t always easily done because the sport is so cost-sensitive. However, we believe, working with our partners, our teams, with IMSA and with USAC, we are building a system in North America that can see talent rise to the top. These additions are a substantial step in that direction.”
