South Australian racer Sam Power has embarked on ‘the greatest opportunity of his life’ this week in Spain, aiming to secure the 2015 Porsche Motorsport International Cup Scholarship.
The 26-year-old is currently participating in a two-day test at Circuit de Valencia in Spain, which will evaluate his skills behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car – the same vehicle in which he competes in Porsche Carrera Cup Australia.
Power is not alone in the test, joined by a nominee aged 26 or younger from each of the seven other Porsche Carrera Cup championships worldwide.
Once completing the two-day test, Porsche Motorsport will pick one winner who will be awarded the 2015 Porsche Motorsport International Cup Scholarship and prized the majority budget for the 2015 Porsche Supercup season – the highest Porsche one-make series, which supports Formula 1 racing in Europe.
Power, who currently sits fourth in the Carrera Cup Australia points standings, suggests the opportunity is the highlight of his short motor racing career.
“This is probably the greatest opportunity I’ve had in life and I cannot begin to thank Porsche enough. It’s a driver’s dream to have any involvement with a factory operation, so to have even just the chance to compete is something else,” said Power.
“I feel a little bit like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, with the golden ticket! Hopefully I don’t eat the chocolate or bubble-gum, or the motorsport equivalents – whatever that is.
“The coincidences are funny in this world – I raced simulators for a long time and one game I played was Need for Speed Porsche Unleashed where you try and become a Porsche test driver. Now I have the chance to test for Porsche some 10 years later. It’s literally unbelievable!”
Porsche Cars Australia Motorsport Manager, Cam McConville, believes Power will be a great representative of the Australian Porsche championship.
“Sam has surprised everyone this year with his immediate performance since the very start of the season and continues to shine at every event,” said McConville.
“Sam shows tremendous qualities both behind the wheel of a Porsche and within the Carrera Cup paddock and I have no doubts he will make his presence felt in Spain.”
Upon returning to Australia Power will compete in the penultimate round of Porsche Carrera Cup Australia at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 at Mount Panorama on October 09-12, 2014.
New Zealand driver Earl Bamber won the Porsche Motorsport International Cup Scholarship for the 2014 season after starring in last year’s shoot-out. Bamber now leads the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup points standings with two races remaining.
About the Porsche Motorsport International Cup Scholarship
– One nominee is represented from the world’s eight Porsche Carrera Cup championships – Carrera Cup Asia, Carrera Cup Australia, Carrera Cup France, Carrera Cup Germany, Carrera Cup Great Britain, Carrera Cup Italy, Carrera Cup Japan and Carrera Cup Scandinavia.
– All participants must be aged 26 or younger
– The test covers two days at the 4 km Circuit de Valencia, Spain
– The test evaluates the drivers’ skill behind the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car
– The winner will be determined solely by Porsche Motorsport – Porsche’s central motor racing arm, based in Weissach, Germany
– Previous winners: 2013, Jean-Karl Vernay (FRA); 2014, Earl Bamber (NZ)
About Sam Power
– Born and resides in Adelaide, South Australia
– Began motor racing at the age of 20
– Raced in the Australian Formula Ford Championship, finishing 3rd in points
– Joined Porsche Carrera Cup Australia in 2014
– Currently sits fourth in the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia points standings
– Races for fellow South Australian outfit, Team BRM, in Carrera Cup Australia
– Sam is an Ambassador for the Childhood Cancer Association, supporting children living with cancer and their families