New cars, new drivers, and thrilling trans-Tasman competition will headline the 2025/26 GT New Zealand Championship, which kicks off at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park this October.
Based on current entries, around 25 cars are expected to compete across two classes, representing seven prestigious manufacturers — BMW, Ginetta, McLaren, Porsche, IRC GT, Mercedes-AMG, Toyota, and Ferrari.
“We’re thrilled to have so much interest from competitors for the 2025/26 season,” says GT NZ Category Manager Grant Smith.
“The GT NZ Championship will be the premier motorsport class in New Zealand this summer. With up to 25 GT cars racing at some of the country’s best circuits, it promises to be a real spectacle.”
The championship will feature two classes within one grid:
- Open Class – 911 GT3 Cup, IRC GT, Ferrari Challenge, GT2-spec, and Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars
- GT4 Class – homologated GT4-spec cars
The 2025/26 season spans five rounds over six months, starting 31 October – 2 November at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park. Round one will feature a special trans-Tasman showdown with Australian GT4 competitors as part of the Monochrome GT4 Series.
Many of these cars are expected to stay on in New Zealand for the two South Island rounds.
From there, the series travels to Teretonga Park in Invercargill (23–25 January), then joins the New Zealand Grand Prix at Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell (30 January – 1 February).
Round four takes place at Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon in Feilding (27 February – 1 March), before the grand finale at Ruapuna Park, Christchurch (17–19 April), as part of the inaugural South Island V8 Supercars round.
“Being part of the first ever V8 Supercars round in the South Island is an amazing opportunity for the series, and we’re very excited to be part of this historic event,” says Smith.
Another exciting new innovation for this year is the addition of elite and professional drivers, who will be eligible for the first time this year.
Each round will include two 30-minute sprint races and one 50-minute feature race, which includes a compulsory pit stop. Teams can run one or two drivers per car, and the feature race will award additional points.
Header Image: Supplied
