One Title decided in Summerset GT New Zealand Championship – One More to Play Out Tomorrow

William Exton has closed out the Summerset GT New Zealand GT4 title today at Hampton Downs aboard his Giltrap McLaren, while the Open Class title is still wide open.

Exton had a relatively drama free race, taking the win ahead of Kaleb Ngatoa in the Toyota Supra in second and the Mercedes AMG of James Sax who was third.

Up the front in the Open Class there was opening lap drama when the IRC GT car of James Parker made contact with the Porsche of Sam Fillmore, the opening lap melee catching title contender Joel Giddy, who himself was sent into a spin.

With the race red flagged to recover the stricken IRC GT of Parker and the Porsche of Fillmore, racing eventually resumed. Luke Manson resumed the race lead alongside Armstrong into the first turn on the green flag.

Back in GT4, James Sax found himself in P1 having slipped by the McLaren of Exton. The McLaren of Exton quickly making his way past into the lead.

Meanwhile further back in Open Class, title contender Joel Giddy started to make moves ahead to bring himself further up the order. The Mercedes AMG GT2 driver making his way through the field and eventually passing Armstrong to claim P2 on the road behind Giltrap.

Late in the race, Manson had a spin while Giltrap went on to take line honours ahead of Giddy and Armstrong.

Heading into the final day or racing, Joel Giddy is now just 24 points behind Rick Armstrong with two more races left to run – so there is still plenty to play for.

The Summerset GT New Zealand Championship has one more 30-minute race tomorrow and the one hour feature race – the result will close out the 2024/25 Open Class title.