Team Porsche New Zealand (TPNZ) and Earl Bamber Motorsport (EBM) have launched their 2026 Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia campaign, with 18-year-old scholarship driver Tom Bewley making his Carrera Cup debut at one of motorsport’s most iconic venues — Albert Park, Melbourne, home of the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.
The Havelock North-born racer arrives in the senior ranks of Australasian motorsport after a standout 2025 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge season, in which he claimed four race wins and finished third overall in the championship. Now stepping up to the premier Porsche one-make series, Bewley will pilot car #89 prepared by Earl Bamber Motorsport, one of the most respected outfits in Australasian circuit racing.
Adding to the occasion, Bewley has unveiled a striking new livery for his 2026 season. Drawing inspiration from EBM’s iconic 2019 Bathurst 12 Hour-winning car, the design features a dark grey base offset by a silver fern pattern throughout, a proud nod to his New Zealand roots.
The Albert Park circuit presents one of the most demanding debut environments in Australasian motorsport. Taking place across 5–7 March as part of the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix weekend, Round 1 features three sprint races on a temporary street circuit that offers little margin for error. Compounding the challenge for rookies, the format allows for only a single practice session before qualifying — meaning Bewley will need to find his feet in the 911 GT3 Cup car almost immediately.
The scale of the occasion isn’t lost on the young Kiwi.
“It’ll definitely be a big eye-opener starting the season at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, but I’m ready for the challenge ahead,” said Bewley. “It will be tough being new to the car and only having one practice session before qualifying, but I’m ready to dig in and see what we can do.”
This year’s Albert Park grid is the largest in series history, with 30 cars entered across the Pro and Pro-Am classes — a testament to the strength and depth of the 2026 Carrera Cup Australia field. Bewley will line up against defending champion Dylan O’Keeffe and two-time champion Harri Jones, as well as a crop of fellow rookies who have also graduated from the Sprint Challenge ranks. All sessions are broadcast live on Fox Sports and streamed on Kayo Sports.
Bewley heads to Melbourne with serious ambitions, and is under no illusions about what he wants to achieve over the full season.
“It’s awesome to be back with EBM and Team Porsche New Zealand for the 2026 Porsche Carrera Cup season. We had a strong year last year, so I’m looking to build on that and deliver consistent results throughout the season.”
Despite being one of the youngest drivers in the field, his targets are firmly set at the sharp end of the grid.
“The goals and expectations I set for myself are high. I want to be the top rookie and deliver strong results against the best Porsche drivers in Australia. If I can mix it with the front-runners who have raced around the world, I’ll be very happy.”
The Team Porsche New Zealand scholarship programme, now in its sixth year, has a proven record of developing world-class talent. Alumni including 2023 Carrera Cup Australia champion Callum Hedge — who went on to race in the US Indy NXT Championship — and Supercars frontrunner Matthew Payne illustrate the pathway the programme provides. The programme benefits from the mentorship of Earl Bamber, two-time Le Mans 24 Hour winner and former Porsche Factory Driver, whose own career began on the same Carrera Cup ladder Bewley is now climbing.
Round 1 of the 2026 Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia gets underway at Albert Park, Melbourne from 5–7 March,
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