The evaluation process may be over but the six finalists for the Porsche Carrera Cup Scholarship will have to wait now more than a week to find our if they are one of the lucky two drivers to be picked as a winner.
The two-day evaluation started with the six drivers – Leighton Clarke, Benji Hetherington, Michael Lyons, Adam Morgan, Sam Tordoff and Kieran Vernon taking part in a driving evaluation in the latest 911 GT3 Cup car on the Silverstone national circuit under the expert guidance of former Carrer Cup GB champion James Sutton. Each driver were given two timed stints with the second run on a new set of Michelin slicks to analyse all aspects of their driving.
James Sutton said: “All of them showed great aptitude in driving the GT3 Cup car and performed well in such a short period of time in a high pressure environment. I'm impressed with how they all coped with the situation.”
Monday afternoon saw the focus switch to media work and presentation skills with each driver facing a panel of judges interviewing them and simulating television interview sessions.
Tuesday started with unannounced media interviews followed by an extensive work out with Porsche Human Performance which finished on a demanding assault course run.
With all tasks now complete the judges go away to decide on the two drivers who will qualify for the £50,000 scholarship towards their budget for the 2011 Carrera Cup GB. In addition to the money the winners will recieve an extensive fitness programme with Porsche Human Performance, race suits and a new Arai GP6S helmet.
Championship manager Marion Barnaby said: “I’m very pleased with the overall standard of the six finalists. The judges face a very difficult decision in selecting just two of them to be the 2011 Carrera Cup GB Scholars.”
All six drivers enjoyed the two days hard work at the Porsche Experience Centre:
Leyton Clarke; aged 19 from Maidenhead, Berks
“It’s been an awesome couple of days. I look forward to competing in the 2011 Carrera Cup GB, hopefully as a Scholarship winner.”
Benji Hetherington; aged 18 from Hulme Walfield, Cheshire
“It’s been a fantastic experience. It has been tough but very enjoyable and the fitness session was very testing. It has really whetted my appetite to race in the Carrera Cup.”
Michael Lyons; aged 19 from Felsted, Essex
“It’s been a good two days and it was great to get experience of driving the new GT3 Cup car. It’s been a great opportunity for me and it really showed the quality of everything that Porsche does.”
Adam Morgan; aged 21 from Preston, Lancs
“It has been challenging but very good experience. I’ve really enjoyed it.”
Sam Tordoff; aged 21 from Leeds
“A fantastic experience; the chance of a lifetime. I can take a lot from these two days.”
Kieran Vernon; aged 20 from West Chiltington, West Sussex
“I really enjoyed the two days; it has been a great experience. It’s been hard work and I hope I’ve done what it takes.”
The winners will be announce on Friday 29 October.