As part of the programme, eligible young drivers from the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia will have special access to mentorships, support and training from the sports professionals and coaches and the chance to win cash prizes.

 

With a season prize pool of $300,000 on offer, drivers from each series will have plenty to race for as the top three receive complimentary tyres for each round, while the winner gets free entry for the round.

 

For juniors in the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia, there will also be the outright goal of becoming the Michelin Junior Champion, which will see the winner receive a free trip to Germany to attend the Porsche Motorsport Night of Championships Dinner in December.

 

On top of the chance to attend the prestigious ceremony, the 2021 Michelin Junior Champion will also compete in the global Porsche Motorsport Junior Programme Shootout, which sees the best emerging Porsche talent from around the world fight it out through a number of tests and continue their journey up the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid.

 

The list of drivers to have gone through the pyramid include current international Porsche factory driver Matt Campbell, Repco Supercars Championship regular Andrew Heimgartner and Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series star Dylan O’Keefe.

 

More recently, 2018 Michelin Junior champion Jaxon Evans and 2019 champion Jordan Love have successfully progressed through the pyramid and found themselves in the Porsche Mobile1 Supercup grid – the premier support category for the FIA Formula 1 World Championship.

 

Another major incentive for drivers this year will see the Australian nominee for the global shootout get an exclusive test drive of the new 992 generation Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car ahead of its 2022 launch.

 

With such great opportunities available to young drivers in both Australian Porsche series courtesy of Michelin, Porsche Cars Australia Head of Motorsport Troy Bundy was excited for 2021.

 

“It's fantastic to have our long term partner in Michelin to come on board once again and provide the crucial support needed for young talented athletes within this country,” Bundy said.

 

“Both Michelin and Porsche are aligned in our passion for developing young athletes both on and off the track, which we have had great success in the past, and we are looking forward to continuing this support for the next batch of talented athletes coming through.”

 

Michelin Australia's Marketing Manager Oceania Swaroop Tulsidas was also thrilled the French brand's support of the region's young racers would continue.

 

"Michelin Australia is committed to supporting local talent through the Michelin Junior Programme,” Tulsidas added.

 

“It's been a difficult year for the drivers and teams alike, not being able to compete as normal in 2020. Fortunately there is plenty to look forward to in the season ahead with some fantastic events on the race calendar.

 

“The global partnership we have with Porsche comes to life locally when juniors from Australia and New Zealand progress in the Porsche Pyramid and make it to the top. We look forward to seeing the development and progression of our juniors in 2021.”

 

The Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup starts at the Sandown Supersprint on 18-21 March, while the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia begins its season at the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships’ Australian All Wheels Race Fest at Phillip Island on 19-21 February.