ZONHOVEN (March 23, 2022). In recent years, the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux, the fastest one-make series of the Benelux, has built up a strong reputation as the pre-eminent racing series in which young talents can show their qualities. For drivers up to 24 years old, the Cup organization goes one step further: if they prove suitable, they can participate in the special Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux Talent Pool, where they can further improve their skills in several areas. For example, talented drivers receive extra support to fulfil their dream of a career as professional driver.
In 2021 there was already a talent program in the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux, but for the new season, this will be taken to an even higher level. “The aim is to create the most optimal conditions in which young drivers from the Pro class can develop further, in collaboration with the teams and their engineers,” says Olivier Aerts, series manager of the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux. “Porsche has a long history of training and coaching young talents, in which the Benelux competition has also played a role in the past. A good example is Ayhancan Güven, who won the title in 2018. He was then able to participate in the international Porsche Junior shoot-out of Porsche Motorsport via the French Porsche Carrera Cup and finally, he now has works driver status.”
The participants in the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux Talent Pool can count on professional support from the German Dirk Werner, who was active as a factory driver for Porsche for many years. “I'm really looking forward to this new assignment,” says Werner. “I know from my own experience how important it is, especially for young drivers, to have someone you can trust, with whom you can exchange ideas and who also helps you to take steps. I am present at all races, helping with the preparations and during the weekends with the analysis and with the contacts between the drivers and their teams.”
Nice prize for the winner
In addition to guiding the young talents, Werner will also provide an expert assessment of the drivers. This does not only concern performance during training sessions and races, but also, for example, fitness, contacts with the media, representing the series and expressions on social media. The best driver from the Talent Pool will be delegated to the international shoot-out of Porsche Motorsport on behalf of the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux and will also receive the entry fee for participation in the 2023 season of the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux.
Support for young talents through the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux also plays an important role for the two Porsche importers Pon Porsche Import in the Netherlands and D'Ieteren in Belgium. “The 'Driven Youth' is one of the spearheads of Porsche internationally and that is also reflected in the cup. The Talent Pool is an excellent example of this," explains Catherine Van Geel, PR manager of D'Ieteren Porsche Import. “Riders will receive support not only in their racing skills and technique but also physical and mental training, nutritional advice, commercial support for finding and retaining sponsors. In short, all kinds of ways in which we want to prepare them for the future.”