THE EVOLVING crossover between Porsche Motorsport organisations on both sides of the Tasman will continue to grow this weekend at Taupo Motorsport Park.

The Porsche Endurance Trophy New Zealand will return as part of the 2024/25 Summerset GT New Zealand Championship which gets underway at Taupo International Motorsport Park November 22-24.

2023 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia winner and 2024 Carrera Cup rookie Marco Giltrap will compete this weekend, while newly-crowned Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia champion Harri Jones will feature in the paddock as part of his evolving race team business, Jones Motorsport.

Jones’ will support young-gun Hunter Robb’s campaign this summer ahead of an anticipated campaign in Australia next year.

Robb has tested on multiple occasions in Australia this year with support from Jones’ Queensland-based organisation, which enjoyed success in Sprint Challenge competition this year with driver Ramu Farrell.

Giltrap, meanwhile, will return to his home circuit fresh from a year where double duties in Australia and Carrera Cup Asia have him sharp.

The field assembled for Taupo this weekend includes 10, 992-generation GT3 Cup Cars and both Rick Armstrong and reigning NZ champion Sam Fillmore – who both featured on the Grid when Carrera Cup raced in New Zealand earlier this year.

Paul Kelly also returns to the track, himself a former Carrera Cup Australia regular.

By season end, the top Porsche driver will earn a Porsche Motorsport factory-recognised trophy for their efforts competing in the New Zealand series.

Last season’s Porsche Endurance Trophy New Zealand winner was Sam Fillmore, who will be recognised at the “Night of Champions” awards ceremony in Germany in December 2024.

Like last season, eligible vehicles include the new generation 992 GT3 Cup cars, as well as both 991.2 and 991.1 GT3 Cup Cars. In addition, there will be a GT4 class trophy for all models of the Cayman GT4 and GT4RS running to the regulations of the GT NZ Championship.

Porsche New Zealand Motorsport Coordinator Nathan Pilcher, says it’s pleasing to see the Porsche field grow, with the addition of new cars and drivers.

“The success of the racing in last year’s Porsche Endurance Trophy New Zealand has encouraged more cars to come and have a go this season. It’s encouraging to see such a great field of Porsche GT3 Cup Cars joining the field. The teams and drivers have been putting in some hard work leading up to this season which will mean the racing is going to be even more intense between the Porsche GT3 Cup Cars,” says Pilcher.

“There are a handful of drivers that could take the honours this season with some returning for a second year and Sam Fillmore returns to defend his title but this year in a brand new Porsche 992 GT3 Cup Car.”

“The great part is that last season at the final race we still had three competitors that could have taken the crown but I think this season it will be more like six all vying to be the champion come the last race. Consistency will be pivotal in the Porsche Endurance Trophy New Zealand to win it by seasons end.”

In addition, Porsche New Zealand have increased their track-side support for competitors and teams.

“We have expanded our support team and we have more parts in the Porsche Motorsport Service Truck to assist the teams should the racing get a little too close. The added support given to the teams and drivers gives them confidence to race hard and fast without the fear of missing out on vital points through the season.”

“We would like to thank GT New Zealand category manager Grant Smith and his team for allowing us to include the Porsche Endurance Trophy in their series again bringing the top GT cars and drivers in New Zealand together to battle it out.”

The Summerset GT New Zealand Championship will compete over five rounds, starting at Taupo International Motorsport Park this month, followed by Hampton Downs and Teretonga in January, Highlands Motorsport Park in February, before returning to Hampton Downs in March for the season finale.

Entry list – Round 1, Porsche Endurance Trophy New Zealand

2             Rick Armstrong               International Motorsport            Porsche 992
14          Shaun Varney                  Action Motorsport                         Porsche 991.2
26          Paul Southam                  JM Automotive                                Porsche 992
27          Sam Fillmore                   International Motorsport            Porsche 992
66          Marco Giltrap                  Giltrap Group Motorsport           Porsche 992
69          Hunter Robb                    Jones Motorsport                          Porsche 991.2
88          Steve Brooks                    James Marshall Motorsport       Porsche 992
90          Paul Kelly                          Paul Kelly Motorsport                  Porsche 992
222        Luke Manson                   International Motorsport            Porsche 992
911        Sam Cotterill                   International Motorsport            Porsche 992
912        Glenn Cotterill                 International Motorsport            Porsche 992
999        Regan Scoullar                Action Motorsport                         Porsche 991.2

Summerset GT New Zealand Championship dates

Round 1: Taupo November 22-24, 2024
Round 2: Hampton Downs January 17-19, 2025
Round 3: Teretonga 31 Jan-2 Feb, 2025
Round 4: Highlands Feb 7-9, 2025
Round 5: Hampton Downs March 21-23, 2025