30-482: The New Zealand Castrol Six Hour Race was an endurance motorcycle race that was held for fifteen years at Manfeild , Palmerston North from 1974 to 1988. Many of New Zealand's top international riders competed at the Six Hour race; winners included Dave Hiscock (5-time winner), Neil Chivas (4-time winner), Graeme Crosby (3-time winner), Aaron Slight (2-time winner), and Ginger Molloy (first winner). The race
60-644: A farm where he learned to drive in the small settlement of Jerusalem on the Whanganui River . He attended Wanganui Collegiate School along with his younger brother, William. Bamber began in kart racing and won his first title aged 12, at the North Island Sprint Championships (Junior 100cc Yamaha Restricted), and his first national title at the 2004 Sprint Kart Championship meeting in Auckland. Later that year, he secured
90-601: A kerb on the backstretch chicane, which caused his car to go airborne. For the 2023 season, Bamber would join Alex Lynn and Richard Westbrook in the Hypercar category of the World Endurance Championship , piloting a Cadillac V-Series.R ran by Chip Ganassi Racing . Bamber uses helmets designed by Italian manufacturers Stilo. He acknowledges his home country with a silver fern design on
120-758: A podium at the Rotax Max category's annual Grand Final in Portugal after dominating the Junior class in the 2004 Rotax Max Challenge of New Zealand. Bamber progressed through karts and single seater series and was ranked sixth highest future star in the world by the internationally recognised website driverdb.com in 2008. At 15 he switched to the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship before competing in Asia two years later where he won
150-649: A purpose-built course. In 1990 extra land was acquired and the circuit extension built, bringing Manfeild up to international standards. The circuit was renamed the Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon, in honour of former New Zealand Formula One driver Chris Amon , on 25 November 2016. The original 3.030 km (1.883 mi) circuit was built by the Manawatu Car Club Incorporated with the first event being held in 1973. A purpose designed venue with an uninterrupted view of
180-531: A sub minute lap in an A1GP car, but again only as a demonstration run and promotion for the series running in New Zealand at the time. While Manfeild now only runs clockwise, there is also an anti-clockwise record held by Greg Murphy at 1.00.81 in a Formula Holden Reynard 92D set in 1995. As of February 2021, the fastest official race lap records at the Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon are listed as: Earl Bamber Earl Anderson Bamber (born 9 July 1990)
210-422: Is 4.511 km (2.803 mi) with long three long straights and offers many passing opportunities. A quick lap around the circuit involves smooth entries and exits, maintaining good corner speed and maximising terminal speeds on the straights. While the overall circuit is 4.511 km (2.803 mi) long the main 3.030 km (1.883 mi) circuit is the only section used for competition car racing including
240-572: Is a New Zealand professional racing driver and racing team owner who currently competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship for Cadillac Racing . He is a factory driver for Corvette Racing , having previously driven in a factory capacity for Porsche . Bamber is a two-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans , having won in 2015 alongside Nico Hülkenberg and Nick Tandy and in 2017 with Timo Bernhard and Brendon Hartley . He also became overall champion of
270-535: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This Motorcycle racing-related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Manfeild Configuration of Full Circuit (Clockwise) [REDACTED] Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon (formerly Manfeild Autocourse ) is a motor sport circuit located in Feilding , New Zealand. It was built by the Manawatu Car Club in 1973 as
300-506: Is not advised unless a protective airfence is bought in for the 3.030 km (1.883 mi) back straight wall. The back 1.500 km (0.932 mi) circuit is used for club meetings and driver training. The overall 3.030 km (1.883 mi) lap record has been updated to reflect the correct record for the Clockwise direction. While Earl Bamber does hold the TRS record on Manfeild, it
330-470: Is not the official overall record. Simon Wills took the record off Graeme Lawrence who set a 1.02.100 record in 1976 in a F5000 Lola T332 (Car#14 painting in Marlboro Colours). There is record of faster times around Manfeild, but not during a race. Kenny Smith is reputed to have completed a 0.58 lap in a F5000 set in the early seventies, but it was only a demo lap. Johnny Reid has also completed
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#1732793062291360-502: The 12 Hours of Sebring , Bamber and his teammates in the #912 Porsche 911 RSR finished 3rd. On 3 December 2016, Bamber was confirmed as a member of the Porsche LMP1 team with Nick Tandy and André Lotterer to contest 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship . He co-drove the #2 car with Timo Bernhard and Brendon Hartley, replacing the retired Mark Webber . In August 2020, Bamber joined NASCAR team Richard Childress Racing for
390-778: The 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship alongside the latter trio. Bamber also won the IMSA SportsCar Championship in the GTLM class in 2019 , as well as the Nürburgring 24 Hours in 2023 . Prior to his endurance racing career, he was champion of the 2014 Porsche Supercup and won the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia twice in 2013 and 2014. Earl Bamber was born in Whanganui , New Zealand, to Paul and Maureen Bamber (née Johnson), and lived on
420-733: The 24 Hours of Le Mans in the World Endurance Championship , respectively. Bamber was the highest placed Kiwi driver at the 54th running of the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona when his Porsche 911 RSR team came home third in the GTLM class and placed ninth overall. Bamber made a successful return at the Bathurst 12 Hour with a 2nd Class B victory for Grove Motorsport in as many races at the endurance classic in Mount Panorama, Australia alongside team owner Stephen Grove and V8 Supercars driver Scott McLaughlin . In changing weather conditions at
450-460: The 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps and the Le Mans 24 Hours in a 919 Hybrid. Bamber's hybrid, car No. 19, was third on the grid after Porsche finished first, second and third in qualifying, but ended up winning comfortably. Bamber's childhood friend and Porsche teammate, Brendon Hartley , with co-drivers Mark Webber and Timo Bernhard , started from second on the grid in a 919 Hybrid and finished
480-617: The Asian Formula BMW title. He achieved pole positions, fastest laps and podium results in Formula Renault V6 and Australian Formula 3 , despite a tight budget. In 2008 he won two vice-championship trophies – in Formula Renault V6 Asia and Toyota Racing Series New Zealand. Bamber contested several rounds of the international A1 Grand Prix series for the New Zealand team in 2009, finishing on
510-528: The New Zealand Grand Prix . The Grand Prix is not held over the full 4.511 km (2.803 mi) circuit. The FIA Track license is for the 3.030 km (1.883 mi) circuit in a clockwise direction only. However Motorcycle racing can be held in the anticlockwise direction if approved by the Steward on the day. Motorcycles can also use the full 4.511 km (2.803 mi) circuit, but it
540-579: The Xfinity Series race on the Daytona road course. Bamber had become associated with team owner Richard Childress via his father, who was hunting partners with Childress in the 2000s; Bamber and RCR attempted to work a three-race deal after Bamber participated in oval racing with RCR driver Ty Dillon , but it failed to materialise. Bamber started 29th in the UNOH 188 but finished 33rd after hitting
570-700: The 60th Macau Grand Prix meeting, defeating nine-time World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb in the process. Porsche Carrera Cup Asia nominated Bamber for the Porsche Motorsport International Cup Scholarship shootout in Oschersleben , Germany, where he beat seven other top pilots from Porsche one-make cups series around the world. Part of the selection process included the simulation of a qualifying session as well as an entire race. He received funding of 200,000 Euros for his 2014 Porsche Supercup season campaign
600-788: The Manawatu Car Club deeded their land and formed the Manfeild Park Trust. 2022 board members are Hamish Waugh (chairman), Amanda Linsley, Stefan Speller, Stella Rackham and Kevin Hansen. Manfeild Park now encompasses what is now known as the Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon and the developing land that was the Feilding Race Course. Manfeild has held the New Zealand Grand Prix on seventeen occasions (1992–1995, 2008–2020). The circuit
630-736: The No. 88 Abu Dhabi-Proton Racing Porsche 911 RSR. Bamber made his debut in the FIA GT World Cup in the streets of Macau in November. The versatility in going between LMP1, GTE-Pro (GT Le Mans in IMSA) and GTE-Am this year, he said, made him a better driver. In 2016, Bamber continues to pilot the 911 RSR for Porsche North America and Porsche Motorsport in the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship and
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#1732793062291660-849: The Porsche Carrera Cup Germany with two wins, five podiums and three fastest laps. He left the series holding second position in the Drivers Championship and was seventh overall at the end of the season. Bamber also replaced the injured Richard Lietz in the Porsche 911 RSR at the Petit Le Mans in the United SportsCar Championship , joining Porsche works drivers Patrick Long and Michael Christensen . Their second place ensured team Porsche North America, run by Core Autosport , won
690-609: The action, the circuit has workshop garages, hospitality suites and toilet blocks and sealed access roads throughout the pit paddock area. The name "Manfeild" was derived from "Manawatu" being the region the circuit is in and "Feilding" the town it is in. In 1990 the Car Club began looking at wider issues of governance and development. Extra land acquired extended the track to full International standards, and also accommodates Agricultural/Pastoral Shows. In October 2004 three land owners, Manawatu District Council , Feilding IA&P and
720-483: The drivers championship. Bamber was also successful in endurance racing, winning the Bathurst 12 Hour (Class B) with Grove Racing , alongside team owner and Carrera Cup Australia regular Stephen Grove and eventual Supercup rival Ben Barker . He was subsequently selected to race in three Porsche Supercup meetings. Bamber's inaugural sportscar racing season ended with victory in the Carrera Cup Asia race at
750-618: The following season. Bamber raced with FACH Auto Tech in the Porsche Supercup alongside Porsche Carrera Cups of Germany and Asia with Team 75 Bernhard and LKM Racing, respectively. After ten rounds in the Supercup, Bamber won the drivers championship with 155 points, ahead of Kuba Giermaziak on 132 points, becoming the first New Zealander to win the Porsche Supercup title and the first rookie to do so. After seven of
780-467: The manufacturers title in the championship. Prior to the 2015 season, Bamber signed with Porsche Motorsport as a works driver. In January 2015, he and fellow works drivers Jörg Bergmeister and Frédéric Makowiecki took the No.912 Porsche 911 RSR to seventh place at the 24 Hours of Daytona . Bamber and Nick Tandy joined Formula One driver Nico Hülkenberg in the Porsche LMP squad to contest
810-600: The podium three times. He also stood on the podium in GP2 Asia , at the age of 19. In 2010 he repeated his 2008 success and was again crowned runner-up in the New Zealand Toyota Racing Series. In 2013, Bamber made his first appearance in Porsche's one make series in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia with Malaysian team, Nexus Racing. He battled all season with Martin Ragginger but eventually won
840-506: The race in second place. Bamber claimed his first career GT Le Mans (GTLM) pole at the Continental Tire Road Race Showcase at Road America in his first qualifying attempt as a Porsche factory driver on August 8. He bettered the previous lap record by more than a full second. He also made a guest appearance in the FIA World Endurance Championship 's 6 Hours of Nürburgring, filling in for Klaus Bachler in
870-629: The ten races, the FACH Auto Tech driver had already won the rookie classification. He dominated the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia season on his way to retaining the title as he won eight out of the ten races that he competed in despite missing two races in Zhuhai due to his concurrent commitments in Porsche Supercup and Porsche Carrera Cup Germany. With the support of Team 75 Bernhard, Bamber competed in ten out of eighteen rounds of
900-453: Was characterised by its exclusive use of unmodified standard production motorcycles and a running start where the racers had to run to their machines before they could start. There was special provisions that the machines were no older than 3 years old, which was a boon to the motorcycle industry in New Zealand at the time which saw a dramatic rise in the sale of Motorcycles after these events. This article related to sport in New Zealand
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