America's Michael Lewis vying for Porsche International Cup Scholarship

Nine drivers from eight countries, including America's Michael Lewis, took part in a shootout earlier this month at Valencia to decide the scholarship driver in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup for the 2015 season. The candidates – each nominated by their national Porsche one-make series – took part in a two-day selection process. On the Spanish track's "Circuit Ricardo Tormo," drivers not only had to turn in good lap times, but were also evaluated on their character as a driver.

The winner Porsche International Cup Scholarship receives funding of 200,000 euros [$256,000]. Moreover, Porsche provides a professional coach at all rounds and gives advice in the fields of fitness, psychological training and media relations.

"It was Bob's (Faieta) Competition Motorsports team that put me in the position to get great results to be invited to this shootout for a potential Supercup 2015 scholarship," said Lewis. "It was an honor to represent the IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA presented by Yokohama and the Los Angeles-based Competition Motorsports team overseas."

The trip marked a culmination of experiences for the 23-year-old Californian, who had extensive European experience including several seasons of Formula 3 competition under his belt before transitioning to Porsche machinery in the 2013 Porsche Young Driver Academy, which also prepared him for the prestigious scholarship event in Spain. Lewis made a splash in the IMSA GT3 series with four wins and five podiums in his first season with the Competition Motorsports team, which saw him fighting for the championship until the very last race of the season.

"Being in the company of the factory Porsche Motorsport engineers and personnel was a result of all the people back in the United States who have supported my driving career," Lewis added. "I hope that I can bring them the gratitude and recognition that they deserve, and it was great to represent the USA among the international countries! I put in my best effort and did all that I could on and off the track. We will see the result in the approaching weeks."

Most of the participants in the talent search were nominated by the countries and regions in which a Porsche Carrera Cup is contested. The aspirants must be no older than 26 years and have the potential to become internationally successful. Other than Lewis, nominees included 18- year-old Matteo Cairoli from San Ferma della Battaglia was the Porsche Carrera Cup Italia representative. Tom Dillmann (25) from Osenbach and Come Ledogar (23) from Lyon were the nominees from Porsche Carrera Cup France. Alif Hamdan (23) from Kuala Lumpur/Malaysia was the candidate from the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia.

Porsche Carrera Cup Japan nominated Ryo Ogawa (23) from Kawasaki-shi, with the Swede Oscar Palm (22) from Jonkoping sent by Porsche Carrera Cup Scandinavia. Sam Power (26) represented Porsche Carrera Cup Australia. Josh Webster (20) represented Porsche Carrera Cup Great
Britain.

The nine drivers pulled out all stops in the 460 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup to give the specialists there an idea of their speed.

"We've witnessed some impressive performances here amongst the drivers and for us this confirms that there
are many talented youngsters out there in our Porsche brand trophy series worldwide," summarized Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup manager Jonas Krauss after the two days in Valencia. "Now we need to take a look at the individual parameters over the coming weeks and determine who the best candidate is. But one thing is certain,
it was already an honor for all the participants to be part of it."

In 2015, the winner will take over the scholarship from the current scholarship driver Earl Bamber.

Many drivers who receive funding from Porsche have gone on to prominent careers in racing. The Porsche International Cup Scholarship gives drivers the chance to advance from the worldwide Porsche Carrera Cup series into the international Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and continue on to top-level motor racing, often as a works driver.