After fifteen races spread over five rounds, Rick Armstrong has won the Open Class GT New Zealand Championship, while Brock Gilchrist triumphed in GT4.
Sam Fillmore was runner-up in the Open Class, while Luke Manson completed the podium.
Fillmore was also the winner of the factory-backed Porsche Endurance Trophy and will be invited to be recognised by Porsche Motorsport at the “Night of Champions” awards ceremony in Germany in late 2024.
“It was close all of the way. Amongst our International Motorsport team members, there was some incredibly close racing,” said Armstrong.
“I had some up-and-down results across the five rounds, but I feel like I was a points gatherer, and the win was due to others’ demise as well.
“It’s about being consistent. My approach going into the season was to drive consistently and keep my nose out of trouble. If it was looking like trouble, I’d deliberately not go there.
“Really enjoyed the season, it was a lot of fun.”
Brock Gilchrist won the GT4 Class in his Giltrap Motorsport McLaren 570S, picking up a number of race wins, and consistent podium finishes on his way to championship honours.
“Obviously, I’m over the moon to be crowned GT4 Champion. It’s been a really enjoyable Championship, and I’m stoked to win,” he said.
“It was tough this round, to fight back with the long Compulsory Pitstop Time, but a huge thanks to the team, and the sponsors. It’s such an awesome scholarship that they have put together. It’s truly amazing.”
In the final GT4 Championship standings, James Sax’s Mercedes AMG finished second, with Garth Piesse’s BMW in third.
Three races were held over the weekend at Hampton Downs. Clay Osborne won the one-hour race on Saturday in Open Class, with Regan Scoullar and Paul Southam picking up wins in the two 30-minute races.
In GT4, James Sax won the one-hour race and the 30-minute race on Sunday afternoon, while Garth Piesse won the 30-minute race on Sunday morning.
