Caleb Sumich confirmed for Michelin Sprint Challenge campaign
McELREA RACING is pleased to confirm that West Australian rising star Caleb Sumich will join the team to contest the 2023 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia Series.
Sumich, 17, graduates to one-make Porsche racing following a successful karting career, and an impressive debut circuit racing season in sports car racing last year.
Caleb started his racing career in karts, with a successful career that spanned nine years and saw Caleb win a host of individual races, multiple series wins and become the State Champion.
His karting career took him racing across Australia, Singapore and saw him contest the World Championships in Italy.
In 2022 he shifted his focus to circuit racing, having claimed the Arise Racing junior driver seat following a talent search won by the Perth-based team.
He starred in his first year of circuit racing, winning multiple races and finishing second in the WA-based FSR Championship.
Alongside his state-based racing, Sumich also contested a limited campaign in the competitive Radical Cup Australia series, culminating in winning the final round of the 2022 championship at The Bend Motorsport Park.
Caleb steps into the McElrea Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car with ambitions of a career racing GT cars in Europe or the United States.
He successfully tested for McElrea Racing at Queensland Raceway this week, impressing the team with his speed and feedback instantly.
Sumich will join another fiercely competitive Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge grid when the series commences at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on March 3-5.
CALEB SUMICH:
“It’s definitely a great opportunity and I’m really excited to be racing with McElrea this year, they’re such a good team.
“I went to Queensland earlier this week and the team are amazing and have a lot of fun, too. The Cup Car is awesome to drive, very different to the Radical but lots of fun.
“The competition in Michelin Sprint Challenge looks really competitive this year, but hopefully we can get some good results and move forward.
“The plan is to end up racing GT cars in America or Europe. The pathway here, from Sprint Challenge to Carrera Cup Australia and then onward is ideal to get into those championships.”
ANDY McELREA:
“We are very excited to be running Caleb in Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge this year and hopefully, in the near future, Carrera Cup.
“He has been well trained and developed by BD Soutar-Dawson in karts and Radicals and although only 17, is a very mature young driver.
“After watching how quickly he took to the Cup Car at a recent test day, I have no doubt Caleb will be right in the thick of the action up front this season.”