Exciting changes are to be introduced to the UK's leading and most competitive GT series, the Avon Tyres British GT Championship. These changes have been designed to create new opportunities for competitors to join the grid. Key features for 2010 include:
The reintroduction of the Cup Class, providing a cost-effective means of competing at the highest level of GT racing in the UK Changes to GT3 to allow all FIA GT3 homologated cars to compete, including those with superseded homologation Changes to GT4 with the introduction of the KTM X-BOW and Lotus 2Eleven to the class Strong variety of circuits, including key events at Brands Hatch, Silverstone and Donington Park, and a prominent overseas event Avoidance of calendar clashes with other prominent series where possible in order to attract more competitors Excellent TV coverage on terrestrial TV via Channel 4, with additional coverage on Motors TV across Europe, and online via Channel 4's video-on-demand service 4OD National media exposure through an innovative media partnership with The Independent News Group, which provides a daily circulation in excess of 200,000 and 8.4 million unique online users per month Introduction of an innovative Challenge Cup for amateur drivers, presented by The Independent Proven competitive racing - six different GT3 marques won races during 2009 The championship continues to benefit from a strong partnership with title sponsor Avon Tyres, helping to present a professional GT racing environment Bernadette Fitzsimons, British GT General Manager, SRO Motorsports Group, said: "We are excited to announce the reintroduction of the Cup Class in answer to many requests from competitors wishing to race in British GT. The Avon Tyres British GT Championship is the UK's most professional GT racing series and for 2010 we plan to introduce changes that will maintain this position and attract further competitors and cars to the grid. These changes will include a more flexible approach to the GT3 class and GT4 class, and the reintroduction of the Cup Class after a two-year absence.
"We have made every effort to avoid clashes with other prominent UK racing series and we believe British GT will have a strong and competitive grid in 2010."
SRO's announcement has been welcomed by teams. Stuart Parker, of Porsche Carrera Cup GB-winning squad Team Parker Racing, said: "Competing in British GT is definitely of interest and would complement our existing racing programme, especially as British GT is set to avoid clashing with TOCA. We feel the new Cup class would be a great opportunity for our clients to compete with the Porsche 997 GT3 Cup on the grid of the UK's leading GT Championship."
GT3 ClassThe GT3 class has been a global success since its introduction by SRO in 2006, changing the landscape of GT racing and providing some of the closest and most exciting racing seen in national and international GT history. For the British GT3 class in 2010, SRO will continue to build on this success and will allow cars which have had their homologation superseded by newer models - cars such as the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe Series 1, Ferrari F430, Jaguar XKR, Lamborghini Gallardo and Porsche 997 GT3 - to compete in the British GT3 class.
Twelve marques are available, including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Audi, BMW Alpina, Porsche, Aston Martin, Corvette, Morgan, Ascari, Dodge, Ford and Jaguar Homologated FIA GT3 cars that have been superseded by newer models will still be eligible for the British GT3 class GT4 ClassThe GT4 class has been a strong success across Europe with multiple marques proven as race-winning packages supporting the success of the SRO 'Balance of Performance' formula. With interest in GT4 growing throughout Europe, SRO continues to promote the class as an effective and economic introduction to professional GT racing.
Thirteen marques available, including Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Ford, Ginetta, Lotus, Porsche, KTM, Donkervoort, Gillet, Nissan, Maserati and Opel, with further marques to be announced soon KTM X-BOW and Lotus 2Eleven to be included within GT4 class, on slick tyres Cup ClassThe Cup Class returns to British GT after a two-year absence thanks to demand from competitors. The class provides an opportunity for competitors to race in a cost-effective class at the highest level of GT racing in the UK. The Cup Class will ensure popular GT cars like the Porsche 997 are represented on the British GT grid.
Eligible cars: Porsche 997 Carrera Cup, Ferrari F430 Challenge. Other Cup cars to be considered on a case-by-case basis For amateur drivers only Power to weight balancing to be applied 2010 Avon Tyres British GT Championship calendarSet to be announced in the coming weeks, the 2010 British GT calendar will include the UK's leading racing venues and one additional overseas event. Emphasis has been placed on the avoidance of clashes with other prominent racing series.
In no particular order, British GT will visit:
Oulton Park Brands Hatch Grand Prix Snetterton Silverstone International Donington Park Rockingham Overseas event
