First GT Championship For Giltrap
Giltrap Group Motorsport driver, Marco Giltrap has claimed victory in the New Zealand Endurance Champs, 2022 to win his first national Championship.
Oct 31, 2022
Giltrap took the 1 hour championship race in the 2017 Porsche 991 GT3.
In what would be a very busy weekend for the fledgling Giltrap Group Motorsport driver, Marco Giltrap contested both the 1 hour and 3 hour Endurance races and claimed pole and the ultimate 1 hour race win (Class 2 and 3) to claim his first national championship, as well as co-driving with Simon Evans to 3 Hour victory in the Porsche 718 GT4.
Giltrap Group Motorsport contested both the SIXT Porsche 991 GT3 and the SIXT Porsche 718 GT4 this weekend with young Marco Giltrap driving both cars to secure wins in the New Zealand Endurance Champs 2022. The meeting combines competitors from both the North and South Island Endurance series and this year was run at the challenging Highlands circuit.
The dual vehicle campaign and unpredictable weather made for a busy weekend in the Giltrap Group Motorsport pits. Despite this, the team would overcome the challenging conditions and demonstrated winning form.
After topping the time sheets and taking pole position, Giltrap ran a clean race in the 991 GT3, avoiding unfolding drama behind him to claim the win over Heremana Malmezac, also contesting a Porsche (991.2 GT3 Cup MR).
Marco Giltrap took victory in the Class 2 & 3 One Hour race but also contested the 3 Hour Class 2 race with teammate and mentor, Simon Evans. Qualifying 11th overall and second in their class, the pair had a masterful drive to finish in 5th overall and first in class, an outstanding effort.
“Amazing weekend away at highlands winning the NZ 1 hour championship in our first weekend in the (911) cup car. This marked the end to an amazing season of endurance racing which wouldn’t have been possible without all of the support.” Said Giltrap post-race.
Following the race, Simon Evans had nothing but praise for Giltrap, “Marco has had a fantastic perfect competing for the NZ 1 hour championship with Pole and a Win to secure his first NZ title. Amazing effort and results, so stoked for him!”
The season Evans also commented on the performance of the Porsche 718 GT4.
“Big effort by the Giltrap Group Motorsport team, it was a busy but great weekend and the SIXT 718 GT4 was hooked up all weekend. Couldn’t have asked for a better car around here and to climb up to 5th overall is awesome for a class 2 car”.”