The 2025 North Island Endurance Series shifts into high gear this weekend as the second round rolls into Hampton Downs, kicking off a massive back-to-back doubleheader at the iconic Waikato circuit.
Fresh off a dramatic season opener at Taupō, there’s no shortage of momentum heading into what promises to be a high-stakes fortnight. And with Supercars young gun Ryan Wood joining the grid, the intensity is about to reach a whole new level.
The series burst into life at Taupō International Motorsport Park, where both the 1-hour and 3-hour races served up the perfect blend of speed, strategy, and late-race drama.
In the 1-Hour race, it was Nick Chester who made the early statement in qualifying, laying down a sensational pole lap in his thundering ex-V8 Supercar Holden Commodore. But that momentum was undone before the race even began, a missed pit lane window forcing him to start from the pit lane.
That opened the door for Steve Brooks and Bill Riding, who took control early in their Porsche 992 GT3 Cup and managed the race through lapped traffic. Chester’s recovery drive was relentless, and by the halfway mark, he was right on their tail.
A slick pit stop saw him take the lead, but with just minutes left on the clock, mechanical gremlins struck. Oil pressure issues saw Chester ease off the throttle, and Brooks and Riding swept through to take a hard-earned win.
It wasn’t just an overall victory; the pairing also topped Class 1, while Nigel Cromie claimed Class 3 honours in his McLaren 570S GT4. Further down the field, Conley Webley took a gritty Class 4 win despite a lengthy pit stop for suspension repairs, and Nathan Grammer came out on top in Class 5.
Sunday’s 3-Hour feature may have had a compact nine-car field, but the competition was anything but light. The Lamborghini Gallardo of Tayler Bryant and Steve Sullivan set the pace in qualifying, but their race came unstuck after a strong start. Brake issues and a wayward rear wheel sent them tumbling down the order.
At the front, Brooks and Riding once again featured strongly — but this time, it was the experienced duo of Sam Fillmore and Jonny Reid who came through with a textbook display of endurance racing.
After a mid-race pit shuffle, Reid took control in the final stint. He managed the closing stages to perfection, delivering a comfortable win ahead of Glen Brazier and Andrew Waite’s Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo.
Brooks and Riding held on for third, adding more silverware to an already impressive weekend.
Now, the focus turns to Hampton Downs, where Round 2 takes centre stage this Saturday. It’s a venue that needs little introduction — a fast, flowing layout that always produces top-tier endurance action.
Adding further spice to the entry list is the surprise appearance of Supercars ace Ryan Wood, who joins Steve Brooks in the Audi R8 LMS Evo II GT3 for the three-hour feature.
Brooks already proved his form at Taupō, and with Wood coming off a rollercoaster Supercars weekend in Perth, the pairing is shaping up as one of the most exciting combinations on the grid.
The Audi platform has already shown it can run at the front, and with Wood’s raw pace and growing endurance experience, there’s every chance they’ll be fighting for the top step.
But the competition won’t make it easy. Fillmore and Reid will be looking to go back-to-back, while Brazier and Waite showed they’ve got the speed to challenge over a full race distance.
Throw in several rapid Porsche Cup entries and more GT machinery in the mix, and the recipe for another thriller is well and truly in place.
This weekend marks more than just the midpoint of the season, it’s the first of two crucial back-to-back rounds at Hampton Downs. With the finale coming just seven days later, there’s no room for error. One mistake, one mechanical issue, and a championship tilt could unravel.
For drivers and teams, it’s a test of stamina and smarts. For fans, it’s two weekends of non-stop action at one of New Zealand’s best circuits. With titles on the line and star talent joining the fray, expect fierce, close-knit racing at Hampton Downs.
The 2025 North Island Endurance Series is just getting warmed up.
Header Image: Richard Opie
