Porsche New Zealand and Earl Bamber Motorsport have announced that Marco Giltrap is confirmed to drive for Team Porsche New Zealand (TPNZ) in the 2023 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia.
With a strong background in the Toyota 86 (GR86) racing series, Giltrap was the rookie of the year in the 2021 championship. This was followed up with a third place overall in the 2022 championship.
Later that year he transitioned from GR86 to a Porsche 991 GT3 Cup car and was immediately successful, claiming a double-class victory in the New Zealand Endurance Championship 1-hour race (Class 2 and 3). Giltrap then teamed up with Simon Evans to win the 3-Hour GT4 class crown in a Porsche 718 GT4.
“I’m excited to say I’ll be joining Team Porsche New Zealand and Earl Bamber Motorsport to race in Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia,” says Giltrap.
“It’s an absolute privilege to drive for Earl Bamber and work alongside his team. After racing a Porsche in New Zealand for almost a year I believe with the help of Earl Bamber Motorsport and Team Porsche New Zealand we can have some great success in 2023.”
He will be debuting with TPNZ and Earl Bamber Motorsport in a 991.2 GT3 Cup car in the 2023 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series, with testing already underway in Australia.
“We’re pleased to have Marco representing Team Porsche New Zealand in the Sprint Challenge this year. As the current New Zealand 1-hour Endurance champion, he has already proven his natural talent in the Porsche 991 GT3 Cup car,” says Greg Clarke, General Manager of Porsche New Zealand.
“It’s great to see a growing pool of young kiwi drivers competing in Porsche racing in Australia. We’re looking forward to seeing both Marco and Zac go head-to-head this season.”
Bamber is also elated at youngster’s potential onboard, saying “We are really excited to have Marco Giltrap join the team under the Team Porsche New Zealand banner.
“He has done a great job in Toyota 86 and we have followed what he has done closely in the New Zealand Endurance Championship in a Porsche. I think it’s only a natural progression for Marco and so far he has impressed us in testing.
“He and Zac are going to be a great combination and team together this year for the Sprint Challenge, hopefully getting a lot of podiums and race wins for Team Porsche New Zealand.”
Giltrap will be joining scholarship recipient Zac Stichbury who is also confirmed to be driving with TPNZ in the 2023 Porsche Sprint Challenge, and Callum Hedge who will compete in the 2023 Porsche Carrera Cup Australia scholarship seat.
The addition of Giltrap in the Sprint Challenge this year will see a competitive grid of young kiwi drivers with Ronan Murphy also recently announced to compete with Sonic Motor Racing Services, along with Stichbury.
