Zachary Vanier is used to facing battles on track in Porsche Carrera Cup North America, but the young driver saw his most challenging obstacle arise during this past offseason.
The Canadian is one of many drivers returning to the series’ roster in 2025 and does so with incredible momentum from 2024. Vanier closed the season with two wins and two podium finishes in the final four races, and it’s perhaps those results that helped him secure his seat for a second straight year in the premier Porsche one-make series.
But as Vanier describes, he had one thing working against him – the budget book.
“Honestly, this offseason was probably the toughest I’ve endured in my career,” admitted Vanier.
“It was down to the wire to make this season happen, and I had to bring on a lot of new partners for 2025. That is really exciting but also nerve-wracking in the sense that you’re going through the holidays and New Year not knowing what’s going to happen or where you’re going to end up.
“It’s a challenge coming from the circumstances that I’m in, but it’s also motivating that I’m working for all the opportunities that I have. It’s not being given to me. If I want it, I have to go and get it. I do want it.”
Since his first season running Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama in 2023, Vanier has made no secret of the efforts he and his family undertake to get him on the grid. He and his father have driven to each race from their home in Garson, Ontario – more than four hours north of Toronto – and often forgo nicer accommodations to keep the finances in check.
“We’re making the drive together and having the time together to bond and talk about things leading up to the race and, of course, debriefing on the way home,” said Vanier.
“We do a good job of maximizing our budget, staying in places that suit our needs, and making the most of the opportunities we have every season. It’s really exciting to bring back partners that I’ve had for over 12 years now, but it’s also really exciting to bring on some new ones.”
“Maximizing” seems to be the name of the game for Vanier as he stares down his sophomore season in Carrera Cup. He returns with JDX Racing after a successful rookie campaign that along with the two late-season wins, also included a debut victory at the Formula One Miami Grand Prix in May.
Vanier won’t be the only up-and-comer that JDX Racing has entrusted with one of its Porsche 992 GT3 Cup racecars in 2025. In fact, the theme of young talent is one that the team – founded by Jeremy Dale and Harrison Brix in 2008 – has stayed true to in its nearly 20 years of operations.
“It’s something that Jeremy has stressed with me for many years,” said Vanier, who met Dale back in 2018.
“It’s something that (Jeremy and Harrison) certainly developed within the team over the years having gone from one Pro car to now four. That’s their biggest focus and when developing that young talent, something that comes with it is winning championships.
‘That’s certainly something that’s been emphasized within the team this year is to be champions again, they want to be on top. They want to be the name in conversation.”
Vanier claims that the support and shared understanding can propel the team this year, as the 16-round calendar is set to kick off next month at Sebring International Raceway. Vanier is no stranger to victory lane at Sebring, having won twice in Sprint Challenge in 2023 en route to his 992 GT3 Cup Pro/Am title.
“We’ll certainly use the momentum that we finished off with last season into this season and try and hit the ground running as fast as we can,” said Vanier.
“Like always, this series has a high amount of competition, so that is very motivating for us, and we’ll just keep doing the best we can.”
The first doubleheader for Porsche Carrera Cup North America in 2025 kicks off at Sebring on March 12 – 14. The event follows the opening weekend for both Porsche Sprint Challenge and Porsche Endurance Challenge North America on February 27 – March 2, with Carrera Cup teams arriving to the central Florida circuit for the series’ annual pre-season test on March 3 and 4.
