The Porsche Driver Development Workshop is proving to be an invaluable experience for up-and-coming talents in motorsport, particularly those competing in one-make championships like the Porsche Carrera Cup North America. This program not only hones on-track skills such as pace, car control, and racecraft, but also emphasizes the crucial off-track elements that are becoming increasingly important for a driver’s professional success.
Recently hosted at Team Penske’s headquarters, the 2024 edition of the workshop provided invited drivers from Porsche’s EBOOST North American Junior program and the Porsche Mobil 1 Female Driver Program North America a comprehensive overview of what it takes to build a successful career in motorsport. The event covered everything from physical training, nutrition, and media management, to career planning and branding—critical skills for modern drivers who need to excel both on and off the track.
Drivers like Sabre Cook, currently competing in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, found the workshop immensely beneficial. “It was super valuable,” she said, particularly appreciating the hands-on pitstop practice and insights from industry experts on sponsorship and branding. For Cook, the experience provided a broader perspective on the importance of staying relevant in the sport and how to grow her personal brand effectively.
The workshop’s curriculum has evolved since the launch of the Porsche Carrera Cup North America, but its core mission remains the same: to equip drivers with the knowledge and skills necessary to maximize their careers. This year, participants received a behind-the-scenes look at operations at both Team Penske and the Yokohama Development Center in Mooresville, N.C. The program also featured sessions on nutrition, physical training with PitFit Training, and career advice from accomplished drivers like Dane Cameron and Matt Campbell.
For Zach Vanier, who is currently fourth in the Carrera Cup North America standings, the workshop has been a transformative experience. Having attended the program twice, Vanier noted significant improvements and a more tailored focus on the demands of professional racing. “It was very eye-opening,” he said, adding that the lessons he learned in the workshop have already impacted his approach to building his brand and advancing his career.
Vanier, who recently launched his own brand, drew inspiration from Canadian racing icons and found the workshop’s branding advice particularly rewarding. “It gives you a formula to understand how I can maybe take that to the next level,” he remarked, highlighting how the program has helped him align his branding efforts with his core values.
The 2024 workshop brought together a diverse group of drivers, including Paul Bocuse, Loni Unser, Therese Lahlouh, Caroline Candas, and Paige Morales from the Sprint Challenge, as well as Carrera Cup North America competitors Elias De La Torre IV, Jimmy Libre, and Madeline Stewart. Each participant left with a deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of a successful motorsport career and the tools to navigate it effectively.
The Porsche Driver Development Workshop stands as a vital stepping stone for drivers aiming to progress in their motorsport careers, ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges ahead, both on and off the track.
Photo from Porsche Carrera Cup Instagram
