Hunter Robb will switch from a Toyota 86 to a Porsche 991.2 Cup Car with his entry into the Summerset GT New Zealand Championship this season.
The 18-year-old from Auckland was the top rookie in the 2023/24 Toyota 86 Championship and also finished second in points.
“It was a very good season in the Toyotas, filled with a lot of very close racing. It definitely taught me a lot about race craft and being able to get runner-up and rookie of the year is a major accomplishment that I am very proud of,” said Robb.
With some running in his Porsche already under this belt, he’s slowly getting used to the differences between the GT and the Toyota.
“The left hand drive on the Porsche still takes me a reminder to get used to as I still have that natural instinct to get into the right hand side of the car,” nhe said.
“The speed of the car is rapid compared to the 86. There are a lot more things to be thinking about now, such as brake bias which is constantly getting changed throughout the lap, and as the fuel load drops off, which is a big mental thing to think about as the race goes on.
“The grip through the corners in unreal with the slick tyre and aero, it is a big thing learning to be able to trust the grip compared to the dot rated tyre in the 86.
“I have done the Northland Endurance Series which I scored a second place at my first round, only two weeks after the 86 Championship finished. As well as that, I have done Queensland Raceway and Sydney Motorsport Park testing with Harri [Jones, the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia champion] and the team from Jones Motorsport. I have learnt so much from them and are excited to show off what I have learnt for the first round of the GT New Zealand Championship.”
With a new Junior Pro Championship on offer within the GT New Zealand Series, it’s a title Robb has his eyes on over the upcoming five rounds over the New Zealand summer.
“My goal is to take out the Jnr Pro Championship as well as consistently being up the front of the pack overall and keeping my nose clean. I am back working with my mechanic who I have won Multiple Championship with in the past, Michael Connell, who now works full time for Jones Motorsport in Australia. So I think that if we do what we’ve done in the past we can be hopeful of a good result.”
Round one of the Summerset GT New Zealand Championship gets underway at Taupo International Motorsport Park November 22-25.
