23-year old Kiwi Earl Bamber looks set to rocket back onto the international scene following the announcement that he is the winner of the Porsche Motorsport International Cup Scholarship challenge.
Bamber was nominated for the scholarship shootout by the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia championship after he dominated the series in his first year competing in it. He competed against seven other drivers from Porsche one-make series around the world for a prize of 200,000 Euro to go towards a season competing in the Porsche Mobil Supercup series.
Over two days, the successful one make cup pilots had to set not only the fastest possible lap times on the 3.7 kilometre Motorsportarena Oschersleben race track in Germany, but also demonstrate their technical understanding and analytical skills in setting up the 343kW Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car. Part of the selection process included the simulation of a qualifying session as well as an entire race.
“After evaluating all the data and an extensive analysis of lap times, Earl Bamber gave the most convincing performances of all candidates,” says Jonas Krauss, Manager of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. “He is both quick and experienced as a pilot and his personality also impressed us. I’m thrilled to welcome him to the world’s fastest international one-make series for the 2014 season.”
“We are proud that a driver from the Carrera Cup Asia was able to win this international competition and that he will represent us in the coming Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup season,” says Oliver Schwab, Motorsport Manager at Porsche China. “In his first season with Porsche, Bamber adapted very quickly to the unfamiliar vehicle and has become the man to beat.”
“It’s a dream come true,” says a delighted Earl Bamber. “When I first entered the Carrera Cup Asia it was my goal right from the beginning to be nominated for the Cup Scholarship. But when I got the call from Germany I couldn’t quite believe that I’d won. In the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, which is contested alongside Formula 1, I’ll be up against some of the world’s best GT drivers. I’m really looking forward to pitting myself against them.”
Earl Bamber began his racing career at the wheel of a kart and at the young age of eight won his first national title in New Zealand. As a 15 year old he switched to the Formula Ford Championship before heading off to Asia two years later. Success quickly followed: He promptly won the Asian Formula BMW title. The young Kiwi turned heads at his other career stages as well, achieving pole positions, fastest race laps and podium results in the Formula Renault V6 and Australian Formula 3, despite a tight budget. In 2008 he notched up two vice-championship trophies – in the Formula Renault V6 Asia and the Toyota Racing Series New Zealand. In 2009 Bamber contested several rounds of the ill-fated A1GP series for the New Zealand team, and finished on the podium three times. He also climbed the podium in the GP2 Asia – at the age of just 19 years. In 2010 he repeated his 2008 success and was again crowned runner-up in the New Zealand Toyota Racing Series. He made his debut in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia in 2013 and convincingly won the championship after scoring a total of seven victories.
Go Earl!
