CALLUM HEDGE IS EARL BAMBER’s READY MADE SUCCESSOR FOR SUPERCARS-BOUND PAYNE

Original Article via Speedcafe.com - Connor O’Brien - Friday, 24th September

Earl Bamber Motorsport looks set to introduce another Kiwi star of the future to the Porsche Paynter Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup top tier.

The Gold Coast-based team founded by two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Bamber took the plunge on fielding little-known teen Matthew Payne for its maiden season in Carrera Cup Australia.

That move has paid off handsomely, with Payne taking two pole positions and a race win from the three rounds held thus far in 2021.

Such an impression he’s made, Payne has been signed to a multi-year deal by the Grove Junior academy and is Grove Racing’s out-and-out plan A for the Supercars seat Andre Heimgartner will vacate at season’s end.

But that’s not going to put a halt to EBM’s Carrera Cup efforts, with Callum Hedge shaping as a readymade replacement.

Hedge is one of two EBM drivers in the second-tier Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge – the other being Madeline Stewart – and has taken little time to get up to speed.

The 17-year-old won Race 2 of the season and has only missed the podium once in five races.

“Callum is a huge talent,” Bamber told Speedcafe.com, prior to Payne’s deal with Grove Junior being announced.

“I mean he has already been on the podium quite a few times in the Cup Challenge races. His wet race at Phillip Island was incredible.

“So we see him as a big talent; obviously he’s younger than Matt as well so he’s at a little bit of a different stage in his career but he is someone who could take over the role of Carrera Cup next season and definitely be challenging for wins and podiums.

“He also, I think, has a very, very bright future in the sport.”