The young stars of Porsche Motorsport North America Junior Development Program converge in Atlanta this week for two days of intense training, development and education.
No, the racers from the Porsche junior program are not headed to Road Atlanta – the new-for-2023 junior initiative from Porsche Motorsport North America aims to educate these young hopefuls in every aspect of what it takes to be a complete race driver – over and above simply what happens on the race track.
The 12 hopefuls each are aiming to follow in the footsteps of Porsche factory stars like Mathieu Jaminet and Matt Campbell – both of whom came through the Porsche junior ranks and are now racing for Porsche Penske Motorsport in this year’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship aboard the Porsche 963 GTP car.
But to become a future factory star, there is more “homework” to do than just being fast over a single lap.
This week, the 12 racers will complete a curriculum that covers diet, nutrition and mental performance, visual performance training, physical testing and training, use of race simulators, personal brand management, sponsorship, digital and social media and presenting and on-camera training.
The students include Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America racers, Riley Dickinson, Jimmy Llibre, Will Martin, Thomas Sargent, Elias De La Torre IV, and Sean Varwig. The Porsche Sprint Challenge Presented by Yokohama will be represented by Chloe Chambers, Nicholas Maloy, Aidan Kenny, Zachary Vanier, Riley Pegram, and Paul Bocuse.
“Being fast in the car is one thing, but there are many facets which are vital in developing the ‘complete’ racing driver who one day could be ready to represent Porsche at the highest level,” Porsche Motorsport North America President and CEO Volker Holzmeyer said.
“Through initiatives like the annual Porsche Junior Shootout in Europe, the brand has done an incredible job in developing the Porsche stars of the future.
“Our ambition is to help our young drivers who race here in North America get to a level where they are in consideration for future factory seats. The level of competition here in Carrera Cup and Sprint Challenge is very intense and there are some impressive performances which are already standing out – our goal is to take those raw talents and equip our young stars with all the skills they need to take that next step.”
Porsche has brought some of the biggest names in the sport this week to pass on their knowledge including renowned racer, stunt driver and television host, Tanner Foust (Personal Brand Management); and commercial film director, racer, photographer, cameraman and author Jeff Zwart (sponsorship). Renowned television commentator Bob Varsha – who has worked in all forms of motorsport from Formula 1 to Formula E, Indycar to sportscars and more – will provide an insight for the racers about presenting and the world of television.
Additionally, the Porsche youngsters will work with Dr. Kalie Baker who is an optical expert and currently works with many of the leading MLs. MLB & IHL athletes and teams . Sports vision training works to improve athletes’ and driver’s many visual processing skills so they can more effortlessly, efficiently, and effectively process visual data.
The drivers will learn about diet, nutrition and mental performance from Jeremy Mullins from sports nutrition company and motorsport sponsor, 1st Phorm; the technical side of braking from Pagid Brakes’ Ian Berwick; and will undergo intense physical testing and training at Georgia State University’s Center Parc Stadium – formerly known as Turner Field (the ex-home of the World Championship-winning Atlanta Braves baseball franchise) and also the main venue for the 1996 Olympic Games.
Completing their curriculum will be Scott Baker (Director, Marketing Communications for Porsche Cars North America) who will give the students an overview of the Porsche brand and former Porsche junior, turned Porsche legend Patrick Long who will detail the “Porsche Pyramid” and give valuable insights from his own rise through the ranks to Porsche stardom.
