SRO ANNOUNCE GT WORLD CHALLENGE
Stephane Ratel’s SRO has announced new GT World Challenge – Photo: Suttons Images
SRO has announced the introduction of a new global challenge across their three continental GT3 based sprint championships.
The organisation behind the Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup, Blancpain GT Series Asia and Pirelli World Challenge GT has announced that will rebrand the three series in 2019 as the Blancpain GT World Challenge Europe, Blancpain GT World Challenge Asia, and Blancpain GT World Challenge America.
The refreshed branding, as well as a format change for the recently acquired American series to bring it into line with Europe and Asia, will also allow for the creation of a new global manufacturer based sprint series, the Blancpain GT World Challenge. A global concept similar to the Intercontinental GT Challenge for endurance races.
To be eligible for the Blancpain GT World Challenge, manufacturers must nominate 12 drivers, one from each class (Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze) across each of the three continental series. The manufacturers will then be awarded points based on the finishing result of those drivers and the size the field they were competing in.
“The IGTC is about manufacturer entries, but the World Challenge is a trophy for the manufacturers that’s about customer racing around the world,” said Stephane Ratel,SRO Founder.
“I have spoken to our manufacturers and they like the idea.”
“We are not dreaming about having 10 manufacturers initially, but if we have three manufacturers signing up for the World Challenge next year we will be happy.”
In addition to announcing the rebranding and the GT World Challenge, SRO also announced the 2019 calendars for all of its championships around the world.
Intercontinental GT Challenge
| Date | Race |
| Feb 2-3 | Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour |
| Mar 30-31 | California 8 Hours |
| Jul 27-28 | Total 24 Hours of Spa |
| Aug 24-25 | Suzuka 10 Hours |
| Nov 2-3 | Kyalami 9 Hours |
Blancpain GT Series/Blancpain GT World Challenge Europe
| Date | Event | |
| Mar 13-14 | Paul Ricard Tests | |
| Apr 13-14 | Monza | Endurance |
| May 4-5 | Brands Hatch | Sprint |
| May 11-12 | Silverstone | Endurance |
| May 24-26 | Red Bull Ring | Sprint |
| May 31-Jun 1 | Circuit Paul Ricard | Endurance |
| Jun 28-30 | Misano | Sprint |
| Jul 3 | Spa Test Day | |
| Jul 25-28 | Total 24 Hours of Spa | Endurance |
| Aug 31-Sep 1 | Nürburgring | Endurance |
| Sep 6-8 | Budapest | Sprint |
| Sep 27-29 | Barcelona | Sprint |
Blancpain GT World Challenge Asia
| Date | Event |
| Apr 6-7 | Sepang |
| May 11-12 | Buriram |
| Jun 22-23 | Suzuka |
| Jul 6-7 | Fuji |
| Aug 3-4 | Yeongam |
| Sep 21-22 | Shanghai |
Blancpain GT World Challenge America
| Date | Event |
| Mar 2-3 | Circuit of the Americas |
| Apr 27-28 | Virginia International Raceway |
| May 18-19 | Canadian Tire Motorsport Park |
| Jun 8-9 | Sonoma |
| Aug 31-Sep 1 | Watkins Glen |
| Sep 21-22 | Road America |
| Oct 19-20 | Grand Finale (Track TBA) |
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