Round 1 of the revived NIERDC Classic 500K Endurance Series, the first of three North Island rounds forming part of the New Zealand Endurance Championship. Held on Taupo's 3.32km Circuit 1 in an anti-clockwise direction, the event featured a one-hour endurance race with up to 50 saloons, GT3, and GT4 machinery expected. The 500K race was later replaced by the one-hour format due to entry numbers. Race winner of the one-hour: Jacob Bellamy (#83 Lamborghini Huracán), ahead of Matt Whittaker (Porsche GT3) and Simon Gilbertson. The revival also saw the return of the original Benson & Hedges Endurance Racing Trophy, first contested in 1968.