Team Porsche New Zealand scholarship recipient Callum Hedge has been announced as Australia's nominee for the annual global Porsche Junior Shootout in Europe later this year.
Hedge has secured the opportunity on the back of an outstanding performance over 5 rounds of intense Porsche Carrera Cup Australia championship racing. It was a closely fought battle between Hedge and Australian rival, contestant Jackson Walls and just 32 points separated the pair in the Junior standings heading into the final round for contention.
The Kiwi, who has also been an outstanding performer in Formula Regional open wheel racing in the states this year, provisionally secured the position at Sandown after race two when he stole the victory from Dylan O’Keeffe in a dynamic final corner overtake.
The Porsche Junior Shootout puts the top junior drivers from global Porsche one-make championships head-to-head, with the winner claiming a scholarship prize to contest the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Championship in 2024. The winner of the Porsche junior shootout is usually announced at the annual Porsche ‘Night of Champions' event at the end of the year.
Hedge is competing in his third season with TPNZ and Earl Bamber Motorsport after debuting with the team in the Porsche Sprint Challenge feeder series in 2021. In 2022 he took the top Rookie honours and second place in the Michelin Junior Drivers' standings in Porsche Carrera Cup Australia - finishing in 6th place overall in the championship.
“To win the Michelin Junior Championship, and secure the ticket to the Porsche Junior Shootout for me is huge.” Said Hedge.
“This has been my goal since I first drove a Porsche. To realise that goal is a testament to the hard work put in by Earl Bamber Motorsport and Team Porsche New Zealand, I really have to thank them for believing in me and knowing that I was capable of doing what we set out to do."
Mentor and team owner, Earl Bamber was full of praise for Hedge.
“As a team, we are really proud of Callum. It’s special for a New Zealander to have this opportunity, and hopefully, it’s the first of many who will get the chance in future years to come. I would like to say a huge thank you to Porsche New Zealand for making these chances possible for young drivers, as this passion isn’t seen by any other sponsor and manufacturer.”
One of the most accomplished Porsche racers in the world, Bamber has experienced the Porsche driver/career pathway with great success.
“Personally, I went through the route with Porsche and that’s where I got my chance to become a factory driver, so I think it’s a dream come true for any young driver to have that shot and chance in their career.”
It’s also a proud moment for Porsche New Zealand General Manager, Greg Clarke who has been an avid supporter of the scholarship for several years.
“We are proud to see Callum secure the seat in the international shootout as has proven himself over the last 3 years in the TPNZ scholarship program. He showed his potential in Carrera Cup last year, and has continued to grow to take out the top spot this season.”
“Competing in the global shootout is the ultimate achievement for our scholarship program as it opens the opportunity to climb the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid. We are really looking forward to seeing Callum represent New Zealand in Europe later this year. ”
