GT New Zealand confirms returning major partner, tyre plans for 2026-27 season

Summerset Retirement Villages will continue their partnership with New Zealand’s premier GT racing category across the 2026-27 racing season, confirming their ongoing partnership as title partner of the Summerset GT New Zealand Championship.

It will mark the fourth year of partnership between Summerset and the GT New Zealand Championship, which has expanded in recent years to include giving opportunities to Summerset residents to participate at GTNZ events.

The partnership aligns with Summerset’s objectives to provide vibrant and active opportunities for residents, providing new and even once in a lifetime experiences like passenger rides at GT New Zealand events.

The championship is also pleased to welcome ongoing partners to the new era of GT racing in New Zealand, including the Giltrap Group, Porsche New Zealand, Star Insure, Design Windows and Omnigraphics.

The 2026/27 Summerset GT New Zealand Championship will commence at Round 1 of the Repco NextGen NZ Championship at Taupo Motorsport Park on November 13-15, before continuing to Teretonga Park (22-24 January), Highlands Motorsport Park (29-31 January) and concluding with the Grand Finale at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park (26-28 February). The series will also feature a Repco Supercars Championship round at Taupo International Motorsport Park with a new Trophy to compete for.

GTNZ organisers have also confirmed key tyre partners for the upcoming season, with both Michelin and Pirelli to feature across the field.

In one of only a few examples globally where two key tyre partners will support the championship, Pirelli will be the control tyre supplier for the GT4 class while the Porsche Cup cars will exclusively field Michelin tyres.

“Our team has been working behind the scenes to put the pieces in place to launch a new era for GT Racing in New Zealand,” said GT New Zealand Championship CEO Josie Spillane.
“One of the key’s to launching as strong as possible was ensuring the right commercial support was in place and we’re really thrilled to continue our long relationship with Summerset into the new season. We’re working closely with them to offer incredible opportunities to their residents and partners.

“Welcoming both Michelin and Pirelli as partners to the championship came from listening to our competitors and taking feedback on what they wanted. Pirelli are well regarded as the tyre supplier for global GT racing – while the partnership between Porsche and Michelin is global and well renowned. We’re excited to be working with both companies to grow our key classes this year.

“Our key supporters, including those returning and the new supporters, mean we will be in the best position to deliver a high-quality product for our competitors, partners and the fans watching at the track or on TV.”

“We’ve consulted with past competitors since April, taken their feedback on board, and we are confident that we’ve got a great foundation to build an exciting season of racing, with strong competition on track and great camaraderie off track. Greg Murphy and Nathan Pilcher have collaborated to develop the foundations for the season, and we are all going to win from their expertise”.

A full breakdown of the classes and race formats set to comprise the full 2026/27 Summerset GT New Zealand Championship and the Porsche Endurance Trophy New Zealand Championship which runs in conjunction with the series will be announced when entries go live on 1 September.

The Summerset GT New Zealand Championship will compete as part of the Repco NextGen NZ Championship, New Zealand’s premier summer series.