In 2014, the GT4 European Cup and the HDI-Gerling Dutch GT Championship will be merged into the GT4 European Series. This is in response to the wishes of the stakeholders who want to have a strong European GT4 championship. The organisation is looking forward to plenty of racing excitement during the GT weekends in Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. The initiating teams, together with technical partner SRO, wants to put the GT4 category on the map as a competitive, multi-brand championship for professional and amateur drivers. The European GT4 Series also offers a financially attractive alternative to the GT3 racing category, because the costs are up to four times lower.
Over the past years, the Dutch and European GT4 championship saw spectacular competitions between cars like the Aston Martin Vantage, BMW M3, Chevrolet Camaro, Corvette C6, Ginetta G50, Lotus Evora, Porsche 911 and Nissan 370Z. As of 2014, a professional and amateur driver must be registered per vehicle. A 25-minute sprint race will be organised for both pro and amateur drivers. During the 50-minute main race, pro and amateurs driver will relieve each other during a compulsory pit stop. The Balance of Performance and the ratification of the cars is in the hands of the Stéphane Ratel Organisation (SRO). Keeping costs down will be an important factor because a race weekend only lasts two days and the use of new tyres is restricted.
With this formula and the publicity that the international races will generate, the initiators think the GT4 European Series will meet a growing demand. “I am convinced that a financially attractive racing category like the GT4 European Series reflects the current times,” one of the initiators, Jörg Viebahn, explains. “The GT3 category is already a big success in Europe, but the costs in this racing category have been increasing for years. The GT4 European Series offers professional and amateur drivers a financially attractive entry into international GT racing. The level of competition and large amount of track time also makes the European GT4 Series a fantastic category for young drivers who are seeking to demonstrate and further develop their skills.”
The première of the GT4 European Series will be held in the United Kingdom. The provisional calendar includes races at the circuits like Silverstone, Zandvoort, Spa-Francorchamps and Nürburgring. The final calendar will be issued as soon as possible. Overlap with major race events like VLN or 24 hours races will be avoided.
