Tyre manufacturer Michelin will again support this year’s rising stars across both Porsche national categories.

Alongside Michelin’s support for Porsche’s successful junior development program, as part of the global Porsche ‘pyramid’, Michelin will again take on the naming rights partnership for the Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia.

The Porsche Junior Development Programme will offer eligible young drivers from the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Championship and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Series mentorship, support and training from the country’s leading sports professionals and coaches, as well as the opportunity to win their share of the $300,000 prize pool on offer.

Porsche Cars Australia Motorsport Manager Barry Hay said the programs had proven a great success and thanked Michelin for their involvement in the program.

“It’s fantastic to have our long term partner in Michelin join with us again and provide the crucial support needed for young talented athletes within this country,” Hay 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 Marketing Manager Oceania Hugo De-Boischevalier said Porsche’s racing categories in Australia had repeatedly showcased the marque’s ability to develop young drivers.

“Porsche continues to be the go-to championship for drivers who are looking to further their career, either locally or internationally,” De-Boischevalier said.

“The Junior Program is like no-other in terms of support and development from the Porsche team; with young drivers given the fantastic opportunity to round out their skills both on and off-track.

“There is a genuine community feel within the whole Porsche pit lane, that has a strong alignment to our own values of respect, performance and helping people achieve their goals. Michelin Australia are excited to be supporting the Juniors again in 2022 and wish all the teams a successful season ahead.”

The 2022 prize pool sees the top three Junior drivers from each Category, receive a set of Michelin competition tyres every round, while the top placed Junior driver at each round will also receive a complimentary entry for the round.

The Michelin Junior Champion - which will be awarded to the leading point scorer after round 6 of the 2022 Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia season in August 2022 - will receive a trip to Germany to attend the Porsche Motorsport Night of Champions Dinner in December 2022. The main prize for the Michelin Junior drivers is to be nominated to attend the global Porsche Motorsport Junior Shootout to represent the Carrera Cup Australia.

2022 Porsche Michelin Junior Programme drivers

Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia
Max Vidau - TekworkX
Angelo Mouzouris - Sonic
Harri Jones - McElrea Racing
Christian Pancione - McElrea Racing
Ryan Suhle - SP Tools / EBM
Simon Fallon - Sonic
Jackson Walls - McElrea Racing
Callum Hedge - Team Porsche NZ / EBM
Bayley Hall - McElrea Racing

Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge
Madeline Stewart – Team Porsche NZ
Lachlan Bloxsom – McElrea Racing
Tom Sargent – CHE Racing
Aron Shields – McElrea Racing
Ollie Shannon – Tigani Motorsport
Courtney Prince – Sonic
Ryan Wood – EBM