The Porsche Endurance Trophy New Zealand will return as part of the 2024/25 Summerset GT New Zealand Championship which gets underway this weekend at Taupo International Motorsport Park.
By season end, the top Porsche driver will earn a Porsche Motorsport factory-recognised trophy for their efforts competing in the New Zealand series.
Last season’s Porsche Endurance Trophy New Zealand winner was Sam Fillmore, who will be recognised at the “Night of Champions” awards ceremony in Germany in December 2024.
As many as ten of the new generation Porsche 992 GT3 Cup Cars will be looking to compete in the Championship this season, bolstering the numbers that competed last season. The 992 Cup cars will be joined by a number of previous generation 991.1 and 991.2 Cup Cars.
Like last season, eligible vehicles include the new generation 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 NZ Championship.
Porsche New Zealand Motorsport Coordinator Nathan Pilcher, says it’s pleasing to see the Porsche field grow, with the addition of new cars and drivers.
“The success of the racing in last year’s Porsche Endurance Trophy New Zealand has encouraged more cars to come and have a go this season.
“It’s encouraging to see such a great field of Porsche GT3 Cup Cars joining the field. The teams and drivers have been putting in some hard work leading up to this season which will mean the racing is going to be even more intense between the Porsche GT3 Cup Cars.
“There are a handful of drivers that could take the honours this season with some returning for a second year and Sam Fillmore returns to defend his title but this year in a brand new Porsche 992 GT3 Cup Car.
“The great part is that last season at the final race we still had three competitors that could have taken the crown but I think this season it will be more like six all vying to be the champion come the last race. Consistency will be pivotal in the Porsche Endurance Trophy New Zealand to win it by seasons end.”
In addition, Porsche New Zealand have increased their track-side support for competitors and teams.
“We have expanded our support team and we have more parts in the Porsche Motorsport Service Truck to assist the teams should the racing get a little too close. The added support given to the teams and drivers gives them confidence to race hard and fast without the fear of missing out on vital points through the season.
“We would like to thank GT New Zealand category manager Grant Smith and his team for allowing us to include the Porsche Endurance Trophy in their series again bringing the top GT cars and drivers in New Zealand together to battle it out.”
The Summerset GT New Zealand Championship will compete over five rounds, starting at Round 1 of the NextGen New Zealand Championship at Taupo International Motorsport Park, followed by Hampton Downs and Teretonga in January, Highlands Motorsport Park in February, before returning to Hampton Downs in March for the season finale.
