Kiwi drivers racing for Sir Colin Giltrap at Taupō

The late Sir Colin Giltrap will be honoured at this weekend’s ITM Taupō Super400, following the New Zealand motorsport benefactor’s recent passing.

Giltrap, who played a crucial role in the careers of several young up-and-coming Kiwi drivers, passed away this week aged 84.

The businessman and car sales identity supported many of New Zealand's household motorsport names including Shane van Gisbergen, Scott McLaughlin, Mitch Evans, Liam Lawson, Brendon Hartley and Earl Bamber.

Current Supercars drivers Matt Payne, Andre Heimgartner and Ryan Wood are under the Giltrap motorsport banner, and carry Giltrap Group branding on their helmets.

In the wake of Giltrap's passing, both Penrite Racing Fords will carry tribute stickers at Taupō, with Payne and Richie Stanaway two of five New Zealanders on the Supercars grid.

Giltrap’s passion was motorsport, having raced a Volvo with Jimmy Palmer in the 1963 Wills Six-Hour endurance race at Pukekohe. He also raced the same car in the Sandown 500 with Ivan Segedin.

However, Giltrap’s philanthropic influence was felt off-track, helping support the fledging careers of drivers that have since gone on to major success on the world stage.

Recently speaking to Newshub, Supercars legend Greg Murphy said “motorsport in this country would not be what it is” without Giltrap.

Giltrap’s own grandson Marco Giltrap is also climbing the ranks, and it competing at Taupō in Porsche Carrera Cup.

Giltrap and his wife, Lady Jennifer, have also supported a number of charities, including the Starship Foundation, New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation, SPCA and Coastguard Northern Region.