Following in the footsteps of past winners, Gloucestershire student James Wallis from The King's School Gloucester is the latest motorsport star to be selected as Porsche's Carrera Cup GB Junior.
Currently in the middle of studying his A Levels, James — who has been racing since he was nine-years-old — took on the meticulous selection process that featured competition from a whole host of quality applications from across Great Britain — and he beat them all.
Enlisting the help of headmaster, David Morton, James had to complete an interview to impress members of the team that organise the Carrera Cup, for the chance to make it into the top four finalists.
To prepare further, the 18-year-old tested out the Type 992 911 GT3 Cup car to familiarise himself behind the wheel.
Notable drivers were then eliminated in an intense bout of racing at rainy Silverstone at the beginning of November 2023, but James came out on top and took home the prize worth £85,000 per year towards his racing budget — alongside a host of exclusive experiences and support from Porsche.
Off the track, the finalists went through psychometric testing to ensure the right temperament and character to succeed, and fitness testing — which James attributed his success to being 'a big hockey player' and taking part in the 'England Hockey pathway for a while.'
Commenting on the four finalists, Porsche GB motorsport manager James MacNaughton, said: 'It was very competitive — the four drivers that were there, they all gave it absolutely everything.'
James's win was unveiled at a glittering Night of Motorsport awards ceremony hosted by Porsche, and with three months to go until the Carrera Cup campaign, he is continuing his preparations — including starting a nutrition, fitness and hydration plan and taking on the Welcome to Porsche course.
During the course, James has been able to drive all the road cars and has participated in classes giving him a background and understanding of the history and heritage of Porsche, as he will be representing the brand for the next two years.
His Porsche debut was the Middle Eastern series which took place in Abu Dhabi in January 2024, where he placed fifth.
