Entries are continuing to roll in for the opening round of the 2024 North Island Endurance Championship Series, which begins on Hampton Downs’s National Circuit next Saturday, the 4th of May.
Twenty-seven entries have been confirmed to date for the 1-Hour, which will crown a new champion as defending champion Luke Manson steps up to the 3-Hour National Championship Endurance series feature race. However, Luke Manson’s 16-year-old son and leading Formula Ford racer, Sebastion Manson, is determined to keep the Silverware in the family’s trophy cabinet, competing in his dad’s Porsche 992 GT3, and will certainly be one to watch.
Ten manufacturers will be represented in the race, with a strong Porsche contingent featured alongside McLaren, Ford, BMW, and three IRC GT entries, among others. Two Australian drivers, Danny Stutterd and John Goodacre, are making the journey over the Tasman to take on the locals, with a third Aussie joining the field in the second round.
Thirteen teams have committed to the 3-Hour feature race; however, that number is expected to increase during the week as late entries filter through.
Defending New Zealand Endurance Champions Jonny Reid and Sam Fillmore are among the leading 3-Hour entries in their Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo and are seeking their third consecutive title.
Glen Brazier will debut his new Lamborghini Huracan with Andrew Waite, while Jono Lester and Francois Beziac will debut their team’s Porsche 991.2. GT3-R
Steve Brooks and Bill Riding will once again team up in both the 1-Hour and 3-Hour, sharing a Porsche 992 in the former and and Brooks Audi R8 in the latter.
Defending NIERDC 1-Hour Champion Manson is joined by James Penrose in a brand new Audi R8 EVO2 for the 3-Hour and is expected to take it to the defending Champion Fillmore and Reid.
Glenn Smith and John De Veth also return, sharing a McLaren 650S with the very quick Damon Leitch.
A complete entry list can be seen below.
Late entries remain open for both the 1-Hour and 3-Hour until next Thursday, the 2nd of May.
NIERDC has announced a significant prize pool for the 2024 North Island Endurance Series, with the overall Class 2 and Class 3 three-hour champions receiving $10,000 for their efforts. The runners-up claim $5,000, and third-place takes home $3,000.
The prize money split in the 1-Hour applies to classes 2, 3, 4, and 5, with each class champion receiving $3000, the runner-up $2000, and third-place $1000.
Winners must be present at the end-of-season prize-giving to accept their winnings.
Entry to Hampton Downs for spectators is free on Saturday, May 4.
The Fast Files will livestream Saturday’s action; check back here for the live streaming link.
NIERDC Round 1 One-Hour Entry List– Hampton Downs
NIERDC Round 1 Three-Hour Entry List– Hampton Downs
