ANOTHER New Zealander is set to make his mark on the international motorsport arena.
Callum Hedge, 19, has been announced as Australia’s nominee for the annual global Porsche Junior Shootout to be held later this year in Europe.
Last weekend’s Porsche Carrera Cup Australia round at Sandown marked the nomination cut-off, with Hedge and Jackson Walls locked in battle for top billing in the standings.
Hedge emerged with a 116-point lead in hand, after race results of third, first and 12th – the latter a recovery drive after being spun at the first corner by Fabian Coulthard.
The winner of the Porsche Junior Shootout will be awarded a scholarship into the 2024 Porsche Supercup Championship.
Previous Porsche Junior Shootout winners include Hedge’s team boss Earl Bamber in 2014, as well as Matt Campbell (2016) and Jaxon Evans (2018).
“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,” said Bamber.
“As a team, we are really proud of Callum. 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.
“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.”
Hedge is also leading the 2023 Formula Regional Americas Championship – the prize for winning that title is a Honda-backed Super Formula seat next year.
But one thing at a time.
“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.
“I look forward to being the first Team Porsche New Zealand driver to contest in the Porsche Junior Shootout and I will be working as hard as I can to represent them and Porsche Carrera Cup Australia to the best of my ability.”
An interesting decision awaits Hedge, with the next round of Formula Regional Americas (October 5-8 at Virginia International Raceway) clashing with the Bathurst round of Carrera Cup Australia.
It’s been another big year for New Zealanders abroad, with Scott Dixon and Scott McLaughlin finishing top three in the IndyCar standings, Shane van Gisbergen winning on NASCAR Cup Series debut, and Liam Lawson impressing in Formula 1.
