Tom Bewley steps up into the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia seat
Marco Giltrap to pursue season in Porsche Carrera Cup Asia
Auckland, New Zealand. Team Porsche New Zealand (TPNZ), in partnership with Earl Bamber Motorsport (EBM), is thrilled to announce its 2026 driver lineup. Tom Bewley Steps Up to Carrera Cup Australia Tom Bewley will step up to be the 2026 Carrera Cup scholarship driver. After a standout season finishing third in the 2025 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge championship, Tom now takes the lead scholarship seat with Team Porsche New Zealand. He’ll be competing in the 2026 Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Championship, the premier one-make Porsche racing series in Australasia. Bewley is the latest in a long line of New Zealand drivers who have used the scholarship to springboard their professional careers. The most notable being Callum Hedge, who won the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Championship in 2023, which then saw him move on to the US to compete in the Indy NXT Championship. Bewley’s Porsche Carrera Cup Australia season will kick off at Albert Park Melbourne in March for the Formula 1 weekend. "I’m really looking forward to being back with Team Porsche New Zealand and Earl Bamber Motorsport after a good year in Sprint Challenge. I’m looking foward to being in Carrera Cup and learning new tracks and tougher competition." - Tom Bewley Marco Giltrap is confirmed to race in Carrera Cup Asia Marco Giltrap is making the move to a full season of Porsche Carrera Cup Asia. Giltrap has raced in Asia for a few rounds over the past few seasons whilst racing full-time in Carrera Cup Australia. This year, having had success with the team at Sepang by claiming two podium finishes. Giltrap will be taking on a new challenge with diverse tracks across Asia, and the new model 992.2, which will be used in competition, will add valuable experience with the latest technology Porsche has to offer. This will be Marco Giltrap's fourth season with Team Porsche New Zealand and Earl Bamber Motorsport. "I'm excited to be making the move to Carrera Cup Asia with Team Porsche New Zealand and Earl Bamber Motorsport. We've had some great success here in the past, and it will be some good competition on track." - Marco Giltrap A proven track record Now entering its sixth year, the Porsche New Zealand scholarship program has built a reputation for excellence. Team Porsche New Zealand clinched both championship titles in 2023 and has played a pivotal role in advancing the careers of standout drivers such as Matthew Payne, Ryan Wood, and Callum Hedge. The program benefits from the mentorship of Earl Bamber, two-time Le Mans 24 Hour winner and former Porsche Factory Driver. Earl’s experience and dedication to developing Kiwi talent continue to be a cornerstone of the program’s success. Earl Bamber's 2013 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Championship winning car Earl Bamber was crowned champion in his debut Carrera Cup Asia season in 2013, and was then was nominated and chosen as the winner of the prestigious Porsche Motorsport International Cup Scholarship. As a Porsche Cup Scholar, Earl was afforded the financial impetus to compete in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in 2014. He finished the season as the first ever rookie to win the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup whilst concurrently defending his Porsche Carrera Cup Asia title.
Earl Bamber Motorsport Owner, Earl Bamber:
“It's amazing to see Tom Bewley’s process as a driver. He’s had a strong start racing Porsches and reminds me of a young Matthew Payne – and what he’s gone on to achieve. We're super excited to see what he can go on to do in the top tier of Porsche one-make racing in Australia.”
Porsche New Zealand General Manager, Greg Clarke:
“The Team Porsche New Zealand scholarship programme has proven to be a successful pathway for young Kiwi racing drivers to break through in the international racing market for several years now. We are pleased to confirm that we will continue our pursuit in Asia, to complement our existing programme in Australia. Both TPNZ drivers show raw skill and potential on the track, and we look forward to seeing their success throughout the year.”
About Team Porsche New Zealand
Launched in 2019 by Porsche New Zealand and Earl Bamber Motorsport (EBM), the Team Porsche New Zealand scholarship program supports young Kiwi drivers competing in Australia. It offers a pathway through the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid, including opportunities in Carrera Cup Australia and Carrera Cup Asia.
Managed by EBM in Brisbane, the program benefits from the leadership of Earl Bamber, a two-time Le Mans winner who rose through Porsche’s global racing ranks. His experience provides invaluable mentorship to the next generation of New Zealand motorsport talent.
To learn more about the Team Porsche New Zealand scholarship program visit:
