Not since the great days of Denny Hulme, Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon in the late 1960s and early 1970s has there been such a rich pool of talent coming from New Zealand and racing in top-line international endurance racing.
The 2015 WEC will see at least four young, gifted, Kiwi racers challenging for honours in three of the four classes.
Brendon Hartley will undertake his second season with Porsche Team, sharing with Mark Webber and Timo Bernhard in the #17 Porsche 919 Hybrid.
Joining his countryman in the LMP1 class this year for the Spa and Le Mans 24 Hours events will be Earl Bamber, who will partner with Nick Tandy and Nico Hülkenberg in the #19 Porsche 919 Hybrid.
In LMP2 Mitch Evans will make his endurance racing debut at the 6 Hours of Spa next month with JOTA Sport. Mark Webber’s protégé has been making a big name for himself in GP2 racing in recent seasons, and will join his mentor to drive in the Spa and Le Mans rounds.
Richie Stanaway continues in the Aston Martin Racing LMGTE Pro squad after a very accomplished 2014 debut season in the WEC. He joins Alex MacDowall and Fernando Rees in the #99 Vantage V8 this year.
But just what has triggered this influx of talent from a nation small on population but huge on sporting skill and achievement?
“I don’t know what is in the water down there but it's good stuff,” joked Brendon Hartley. “In motorsport, on all levels, our home nation has a great history and tradition in racing. When you look at how many Kiwis are competing at an international level, and especially in the WEC, it is very satisfying.”
“Earl and I grew up racing together and it is great to have him with us in the Porsche Team,” continued Hartley. “It is a special time and a golden era for Kiwi motorsport. To have four of us on the grid at Le Mans is absolutely fantastic.”
The WEC Kiwi contingent are all from New Zealand's North Island and, remarkably, Hartley is the ‘senior citizen’ of the group at 25 years of age! Bamber and Stanaway were born within 16 months of each other, while Evans is the junior of the four and will celebrate his 21st birthday ten days after the Le Mans 24 Hours in June.
“It's always good to have Kiwi company out on track,” said Mitch Evans. “It will be really cool to have all of us there on the track together and great for our nation. I can’t wait to get started in the WEC races.”
Half a century ago Hulme, McLaren and Amon were blazing a trail for Kiwis in motor racing. Now the torch is being carried by a new breed of racer from the beautiful and rugged country where sportscar racing courses through the veins of a nation.
Photo: BRENDON HARTLEY
