Rick Armstrong has claimed the Porsche Endurance Trophy New Zealand GT3 Cup championship for a second consecutive season, delivering a dominant final-round performance at Ruapuna Raceway, Christchurch, to seal the title in front of a sold-out crowd.
The championship, which ran as a support category to the Supercars Championship at its final round, went down to the wire. Armstrong entered Ruapuna holding a 99-point lead over rookie Nigel Cromie, with four races — three 30-minute bouts and a 40-minute endurance finale — offering a combined 337.5 points across the weekend.
“The Porsche Endurance Trophy was a really enjoyable series to be a part of. I love the 992 Cup Car — it’s fast and enjoyable to drive, making it such a great race car,” commented Armstrong. “The field was incredibly competitive and everyone lifted their game throughout the year. It was tough to win, and if I compete again, I’ll have to take it more seriously as the standards keep lifting and it continues to grow into a fiercely competitive category.”
Armstrong settled the contest emphatically, taking a race win in the final race to confirm the title. Cromie, in his debut season, pushed Armstrong throughout and remained a genuine threat until the closing stages, finishing the championship 91.5 points adrift in what was an impressive rookie campaign.
Aitken Claims GT4 Title
In the GT4 category, Grant Aitken secured the Porsche Endurance Trophy New Zealand GT4 title in his Cayman GT4 — a goal he has worked towards since the championship’s inception.
A Season Across New Zealand’s Premier Circuits
The third season of the Porsche Endurance Trophy New Zealand was contested over the 2025/2026 summer, spanning five rounds at Taupo Motorsport Park, Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, Teretonga Motorsport Park, Highlands Motorsport Park, and Ruapuna Raceway — taking in circuits across both the North and South Islands as part of the NextGen Championship.
The trophy series ran in conjunction with the Summerset GT New Zealand Championship at key events, including the New Zealand Grand Prix at Highlands Motorsport Park and the Supercars Championship round at Ruapuna. Eligible machinery comprised the Porsche 992 and 991.2 GT3 Cup cars, alongside the Cayman GT4 RS.
Porsche competitors further stamped their authority on the wider championship, with Armstrong claiming the overall Summerset GT New Zealand Open Championship title ahead of Cromie and Fillmore.
As GT3 Cup Champion, Armstrong earns a trip to Stuttgart, Germany, where he will be recognised at the prestigious Porsche Night of Champions in December 2026.
Porsche Endurance Trophy New Zealand – GT3 Cup
1/ Rick Armstrong – 1240.5 pts
2/ Nigel Cromie – 1149 pts
3/ Sam Fillmore – 1066 pts
Porsche Endurance Trophy New Zealand – GT4
1/ Grant Aitken – 262.5 pts
2/ Zoe Woods – 248.5 pts
3/ Kent Quinn – 248.5 pts
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