Marco Giltrap crowned champion for Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia 2023
Marco Giltrap has claimed the championship victory for the 2023 Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia season at the final round held at Supercheap Auto Bathurst International over the weekend.
Marco Giltrap has claimed the championship victory for the 2023 Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia season at the final round held at Supercheap Auto Bathurst International over the weekend.
Giltrap was leading the series leader after consistent performance all season allowing a commanding lead going into the final round. In the first race of the weekend, Giltrap finished in third place which secured him the championship title as well as the Jim Richards Enduro Cup for the season.
Giltrap won four races this season and never finished lower than fifth in a race in the lead-up to Bathurst. Early round victories at Phillip Island and Symmons Plains put him to the top of the standings early in the year, where he remained until the championship was secured.
The rest of the Bathurst race weekend was concluded with less luck for the champion after sustaining a puncture in race two, forcing him to retire from second position.
In the final race, Giltrap put up a good fight after making up eight positions on lap one alone, finishing up his last race of the season in 14th.
Giltrap has been announced to be continuing with Team Porsche New Zealand / Earl Bamber Motorsport this next year, moving up to competing in the leading single-make series, Porsche Carrera Cup Australia in 2024.
Porsche Motorsport Australia has announced that Porsche Carrera Cup Australia will join the 2024 Repco Supercars Championship in New Zealand for the newly added Taupo round next year. The visit for the series to New Zealand means Giltrap and teammate Zac Stichbury will be able to compete on home soil for their debut season of Porsche Carrera Cup Australia.
Marco Giltrap
“Winning the Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia championship with team Porsche New Zealand has been an awesome journey with so many highlights. The season has far exceeded my expectations and has shown what we are capable of. I am already looking forward to next season with the team and carrying on our form.”
Greg Clarke, General Manager, Porsche New Zealand
“A huge congratulations to Marco for taking out the title in his first year competing in Australia. Watching him hit the ground running and perform consistently all season was incredible. The championship title was truly deserved. “
“He has done an outstanding job representing Team Porsche New Zealand, and we can’t wait to see how he steps up in Carrera Cup Australia next year. The fact that the series is coming to New Zealand makes it even more rewarding for Marco and the team next year.”
Earl Bamber, Earl Bamber Motorsport
“It’s a proud moment for Marco to win the championship. I still remember the first time I met Colin, Richard, and Michael when I was 15 years old, so having Marco win our first championship in Australia is really special. We look forward to seeing what he does in the future with our team and beyond.”
“It’s also awesome for Team Porsche New Zealand to secure their first championship as it’s something we all dreamed of when we started the program. “