Jones Motorsport has signed rising Australian talent James Lodge for selected rounds of the 2026 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Championship. He makes his debut with the team at Round 2 at The Bend Motorsport Park.

Lodge is 20 and is regarded as one of Australia's most exciting young prospects. He joins series leader Hunter Robb and Ben Taylor to make up Jones Motorsport's three-car line-up.

Born in 2005, Lodge finished runner-up in the 2024 Toyota GR Cup Australia Championship. He moved into Porsche competition in 2025 with Ash Seward Motorsport and took two race wins and several podiums. That season also included four DNFs, two at the start of the year and two at the end. Ash Seward Motorsport did not enter the 2026 season opener at Phillip Island in March, so Lodge missed Round 1.

He now continues his development with the team led by Harri Jones. Jones is a Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge champion and two-time Porsche Carrera Cup Australia champion, and he plays a hands-on role in the team's driver development program.

Jones said Lodge's speed first caught his eye, but his professionalism away from the track is what sets him apart.

"I've been keeping an eye on James over the past couple of years," Jones said. He added that he had been "really impressed with his raw speed and intelligent racecraft."

The pair have already worked together for a couple of months, testing at Queensland Raceway and training on the simulator and in the gym. Jones said Lodge's work ethic and attention to detail would set him apart.

"He's already proven he can win races and fight at the front," Jones said. "We're thrilled to welcome James into Jones Motorsport alongside Hunter and Ben."

Jones said the team looked forward to helping Lodge take the next step in his career.

Lodge said the deal marked his return to competition in 2026.

"I'm incredibly excited to be joining Jones Motorsport at The Bend," he said. "The team has already proven itself as a highly professional outfit with fantastic results this year."

He said he was looking forward to racing again and building a strong weekend. "Harri and the entire team have been incredibly welcoming," Lodge said, thanking the team and his supporters for the opportunity.

The team says Lodge's signing reinforces its commitment to a high-performance environment that combines technical preparation with driver development at every level.

Round 2 of the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge runs at The Bend Motorsport Park from 8 to 10 May as part of the Shannons SpeedSeries. Live coverage is on Fox Sports and Kayo.

Sources: jonesmotorsport.com.au, speedcafe.com, velocitymagazine.com.au