Porsche New Zealand has announced the Porsche Endurance Trophy New Zealand, which will run in conjunction with the Summerset GT New Zealand Championship 2024. The winner will earn a Porsche Motorsport factory-recognised trophy for their efforts in competing in the New Zealand series.
The championship will be held over 5 rounds from November 2023 to March 2024 as part of the Motorsport New Zealand Super Sprint Series. The season covers the country with rounds at Taupo, Manfield, Ruapuna, and Cromwell and concludes at Hampton Downs.
“We are really pleased to announce this Trophy as a chance to officially recognise Porsche customer endurance racing in New Zealand,” said Porsche New Zealand Motorsport Coordinator Nathan Pilcher.
“With the ever-growing numbers of the 992 GT3 Cup Car entering the country and already a solid fleet of 991 GT3 Cup Cars, it will make for some close racing on track, and the consistency is going to be vital in securing the inaugural Porsche Endurance Trophy New Zealand.”
The purpose of the Porsche Endurance Trophy is to give competitors in New Zealand the opportunity to race in a domestic series that is officially recognised by Porsche Motorsport.
Eligible vehicles include the new 992 GT3 Cup cars, as well as both 991.2 and 991.1 GT3 Cup Cars. In addition, there will be a GT4 class trophy for all models of the Cayman GT4 and GT4RS running to the regulations of the GT New Zealand Championship.
“We’re delighted that Porsche has elected to award this trophy to one of our Porsche competitors by season’s end and to be more of an integral part of our Championship,” says GT New Zealand Category Manager Grant Smith.
“We have a large field of Porsches in both our Open and GT4 classes, and we’re excited to see how the ‘battle within a battle’ plays out during the season.”
This will be the first time that a factory Porsche-backed Trophy will run in New Zealand since the GT3 Challenge in the early 2010s.
Porsche Motorsport recognises the ongoing commitment to the Porsche brand in New Zealand and welcomes the addition of the Trophy as it builds on the Porsche Motorsport pyramid in New Zealand. The winner of the Porsche Endurance Trophy New Zealand will be recognised at the “Night of Champions” awards ceremony in Germany in December 2024.
Porsche New Zealand will continue to grow the support for the teams by now having a dedicated support truck for spare parts and technical assistance at each round.
