Donington hosts opening round of Pirelli-supported GT Cup

Italian tyre firm Pirelli will support the GT Cup Championship for the third conseuctive year, with the opening round taking place at Donington Park this weekend (28 – 29 April).

Now entering its fifth year, the GT Cup Championship has welcomed a series of changes for 2012 with the introduction of GT3 homologated cars onto the grid for the very first time. With a steadily expanding entry list, and an impressive 23-race calendar, the championship is set for an exciting season ahead. Entry highlights include world-class brands such as McLaren, Porsche, Ferrari, Mosler, BMW, TVR and Chevron.

Pirelli will supply slick tyres in DM and DH and wet tyres in WS and WH compounds to all crews competing in the championship. To help cater for the various cars that will be present on this year’s grid, a range of different tyre sizes will be on offer to competitors.

The series will consist of 23 races split over eight rounds, and will take place at the crème de la crème of British race circuits including Silverstone, Brands Hatch and the home of Scottish motorsport, Knockhill. For two-day rounds, competition will consist of one qualifying session followed by three sprint races. One-day rounds will include a qualifying session followed by two races, with each race expected to last between 20 and 30 minutes.

Jim Geddie was the first-ever GT Cup race winner, claiming a double victory at the inaugural event at Snetterton back in November 2007, and this season marks his return to the championship with a very impressive car: the magnificent McLaren MP4-12C GT3.  Kevin Riley will also be sure to turn heads with another exciting addition to the series: a Mosler MT900 GT.

Pirelli Tyre UK motorsport manager, Carl Naylor, said: “The new regulations have really shaken things up in the GT Cup Championship, and I’m delighted to see such a wide variety of cars on the grid. The inclusion of GT3 homologated cars for 2012 marks the biggest change in the series since it began in 2007, and it is sure to provide a great spectacle for those present at the races as well as those watching back at home.”     

GT Cup Championship organiser, Marc Haynes, commented: “The excitement at this time of year ahead of the first race of the season is palpable with such a great line up of supercars including great names like Ferrari, Porsche, McLaren and Nissan GTR to name but a few. I’m also delighted that Pirelli are with us once again, supplying our control tyre and bringing their expertise and Italian flair to the championship.”

The GT Cup Championship will be broadcast on Motors TV and updates from all the races can be found on the official website: gtcup.co.uk


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