Zachary Vanier has been chosen to represent Porsche Motorsport North America at the prestigious Porsche Junior Shootout, the global evaluation that brings together the top young drivers from Porsche Carrera Cup championships around the world.
The 2025 edition begins in Cologne, Germany on November 14 before moving to Autódromo do Estoril in Portugal for two days of on-track testing from November 17–18.
For Vanier, the call from Porsche Motorsport North America confirming his nomination was both a surprise and a defining moment in his career. The Canadian has been part of the Porsche Motorsport North America EBOOST Junior Program for the past three seasons, but his selection as the 2025 global Shootout representative raises the stakes to an entirely new level.
“To be honest, the initial reaction was pure surprise,” Vanier said.
“When the guys at Porsche Motorsport North America told me they had decided to send me, I was speechless. This was my goal all year, what I’d been working toward, but hearing it confirmed was surreal.
“There’s a huge sense of pride knowing how many talented drivers would love to have this opportunity.”
The Porsche Junior Shootout is regarded as one of the most selective development programs in global motorsport, with past Shootout winners including IMSA stars Matt Campbell, Mathieu Jaminet, Laurin Heinrich, and Klaus Bachler – all of whom have advanced into championship-winning factory-supported endurance racing programs.
“Being chosen for the Shootout puts you in an entirely new conversation,” Vanier said.
“It’s not just about selection—it’s about being seen as someone who represents the qualities a manufacturer like Porsche values. It’s motivating to know I’m getting the same opportunity as some of those drivers who’ve gone on to incredible careers.
“My focus now is just to be myself, believe in my abilities, and really enjoy the process. You only get one shot at this.”
The Porsche Junior Shootout combines both on-track and off-track evaluations, including simulator sessions, fitness and mental assessments, business presentations, and interviews with Porsche Motorsport staff. The 2025 program begins at the Porsche Esports Performance Center in Cologne before two days of testing in identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (type 992.1) cars at Estoril.
“Luckily for me, the series is supporting some pre-event testing so I can start that learning curve before we get there,” Vanier said.
“I’ve also got a great group behind me to organize a test in Europe to make that step more realistic. Everyone at the Shootout is obviously talented, so the key for me will be to stay calm, not get overwhelmed, and trust in what I’ve developed through my years with Pfaff Motorsports, MDK, and JDX Racing.”
The 2023 Porsche Sprint Challenge North America champion will also lean heavily on simulator preparation in the lead-up to the event, working with Advanced Sim in Montreal to refine his technique.
“I’ve really stepped up my simulator work this year,” he said. “That’s where I’ll be spending most of my time before my test and before heading to Germany. I’m even practicing without ABS to make it as realistic as possible.”
His 2025 Porsche Carrera Cup North America campaign with JDX Racing included wins at Watkins Glen and Indianapolis and a strong run of podiums that placed him among the season’s top performers.
“This season was full of highs and lows,” Vanier reflected.
“Miami Race 1 was a tough one with the DNF—it really ended our championship hopes early. That’s when my focus shifted from chasing the title to chasing the Shootout nomination.
“But the wins at Watkins and Indy were huge for me and for the team. Finishing top three in the championship two years in a row and then being selected for the Shootout feels like the perfect way to close this chapter.”
Vanier credits JDX Racing’s leadership—particularly Jeremy Dale and Harrison Brix—for helping shape his growth over the past two seasons.
“From the team’s perspective, I think there was almost a sense of expectation,” Vanier said.
“They’ve seen how much I’ve developed and how I’ve tried to lead within the team under pressure. They gave me the platform to show what I can do, and that ultimately led to this.”
As he prepares for his first laps at Estoril, Vanier sees the Porsche Junior Shootout not just as a test, but as a continuation of the development path that Porsche Carrera Cup North America provides.
“Carrera Cup North America is the most competitive and most respected step in the Porsche Pyramid,” he said.
“It’s a single-make series, so it all comes down to the driver—and that’s why it’s so highly regarded. Being in this series has helped me mature both inside and outside the car. It’s given me the experience and confidence I’ll need heading into the Shootout, and hopefully into the next step of the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid in 2026.”
The winner of the Porsche Junior Shootout earns official Porsche Junior status for the following season, joining the ranks of factory-supported drivers within the Porsche Motorsport system and gaining opportunities to compete internationally across the brand’s GT and endurance programs.
