It’s Spa 24 Race Day and, as is traditional, Stephane Ratel is presenting a review of the year past, and a raft of announcements for the future of his global family of GT racing event.
First up it’s environmental policy and the headliner here is that the 2024 season will see the adoption across GT Word Challenge Europe and Asia of TotalEnergies-supplied 100% bio fuel.
Bio fuel will also be used for tyre warmers.
Intercontinental GT Challenge
Stephane Ratel acknowledged that the impact of the COVID pandemic has hit his global product hard with tough decisions required to try to rebuild manufacturer involvement and confidence in the Series.
For 2024 the IGTC adds the GT3 (SP9) class at the Nurburgring 24 Hours with IGTC reduced to just 4 events (Nurburgring, Bathurst, Spa and Indianapolis), so at present no race in Africa, South East Asia or the Middle East.
There will be ticketing incentives for fans planning to attend both Spa and the N24 (50% off) and there will be ongoing discussions with manufacturers about the potential to add a fifth race.
FIA Motorsport Games
The FIA Motorsport Games will move to Valencia in 2024 with 26 categories of competition planned.
GT World Challenge America
The GT America Series will mount a Nashville street race in support of the Indycar event.
Aside from that there is an 8 race GT World Challenge America calendar with one venue TBC.
GT World Challenge Asia
A provisional 6 event calendar sees races in Malaysia, Thailand, three in Japan and a return to China.
Asian Le Mans Series
Stephane ratel: “Asian Le Mans Series is a very important programme with us. We think Asia has the potential to create a very important Championship jointly run with the ACO.”
British GT Championship
The British Championship sees a return to the Spa Speed Week after this year’s unpopular switch to Portimao.
GT World Challenge Europe
The 2024 calendar has been devised to prevent clashes with the FIA WEC and DTM.
Paul Ricard
Brands Hatch
Misano
Hockenheim
Nurburgring
Magny Cours
Monza
Barcelona (final Sprint Race of season)
Endurance finale is at!!
Jeddah!! – A 1000km race
