The 2025/26 Porsche Endurance Trophy New Zealand commenced at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park as part of the NextGen Championship Alliance Services Hampton Downs GT International weekend.
A competitive grid of Porsche 992 GT3 Cup cars contested three races on the International Circuit, demonstrating top level performance and a world class display of racing. The Porsche Endurance Trophy New Zealand, integrated within the broader Summerset GT New Zealand Championship, presented drivers with a platform to challenge themselves in equal machinery.
In race one, defending champion Rick Armstrong secured his first victory of the season with Luke Manson and Regan Scoullar followed in second and third, respectively.
Race two saw Armstrong recover from an early spin to finish fifth. Young gun Scoullar led for much of the race before retiring mid race due to a throttle issue. Debutant to the Porsche Endurance Trophy Nigel Cromie came away with the win in race 2, with Sam Fillmore and Manson rounding out the podium in the second action packed 30-minute race.
The weekend concluded with a 50-minute feature race, where Armstrong claimed victory following a strategic drive and well-timed pit stop sequence. Manson secured another podium to add to his title fight and Fillmore rounded out the weekend with a third place after doing double duties during the weekend.
It is shaping up to be a tight battle on the championship points table as there is only nine points separating the top two. Rick Armstrong leads Luke Manson with Nigel Cromie only 17.5 point behind in third.
“It was a great way to start our latest season of Porsche Endurance Trophy with the racing tightly contested across all races. It’s always good to see new teams and drivers joining the series and as interest grows the rest of the season is bound to get better and the racing to get even more competitive.” – Nathan Pilcher, Porsche Motorsport Coordinator
The series now has a break before resuming at Teretonga Park from 23–25 January 2026, followed by the New Zealand Grand Prix at Highlands Motorsport Park.
Season Championship Points
Porsche Endurance Trophy New Zealand GT3 Cup
1/ Rick Armstrong 236.5
2/ Luke Manson 227.5
3/ Nigel Cromie 210
4/ Sam Fillmore 206
5/ Andy Childe 172.5
6/ Regan Scoullar 60
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