The GT4 European Series visits four current Formula 1 tracks and two other historic circuits during its 2016 campaign while partnering high profile championships such as the Blancpain GT Series, the British GT Championship, the FIA Formula 3 European Championship and DTM.
The racing series for PRO and AM drivers is now a full member of the SRO Motorsports Group and that enables the championship to grow and to join spectacular events at premier European racetracks.
The new season kicks-off during the weekend of 24 April at Monza in Italy, where the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup will be partnered. The championship visits the track for the second time after it hosted the final round of the inaugural season. The GT4 European Series will then make its debut at a street track. The historic street course in Pau, France, hosts of the second race event scheduled for 15 May.
Two Formula 1 tracks are following during the summer, starting at Silverstone on 12 June. It will be another first for the category as it not only races in the United Kingdom for the first time, it also includes a slightly different race format as this event features an endurance race alongside the British GT Championship. The same format applies for Spa-Francorchamps on 10 July, a track that remains favourite among most of the GT4 drivers and fans.
The fifth event of 2016 follows after a short summer break at the Hungaroring in Budapest, Hungary. DTM, one of the world’s most respected touring car championships, will be host of this prestigious event.
The final round of the 2016 season will take place at the Circuit Park Zandvoort in the Netherlands. The Dutch track is home to some of the teams and drivers, who will race during the traditional ‘Final Races’.
The format of PRO / AM, AM and AM / AM drivers remains the same. Apart from the new endurance races alongside the British GT Championship at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps, track time of 255 minutes remains unchanged. A regular race weekend includes two free practice sessions, qualifying and two fifty-minute races. The championship eyes international television coverage and an extensive (online) communication programme similar to previous season.
Most of last year’s teams and drivers have expressed their intention to join the 2016 season. A grid with a diversity of race cars is expected to line-up again, including brand new race cars.
Max Braams (GT4 European Series Coordinator at SRO Motorsports Group): “We are very proud to present this spectacular calendar that only consists of highlights, partnering high-profile championships at spectacular race tracks across Europe. As part of the SRO Motorsports Group we’ve managed to peak the interest of not only regular competitors but also new teams and drivers. Some of them are planning to race new cars from renowned brands. We hardly can’t wait before the lights go out at Monza.”
2016 GT4 European Series calendar:
24 April 2016 – Monza (Italy) – Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup
15 May 2016 – Pau (France) – Grand Prix de Pau – FIA Formula 3 European Championship
12 June 2016 – Silverstone (United Kingdom) – British GT Championship *
10 July 2016 – Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) – British GT Championship **
25 September 2016 – Hungaroring (Hungary) – DTM
9 October 2016 – Circuit Park Zandvoort (the Netherlands) – Final Races
* 3h endurance race
** 2h endurance race
SRO Motorsports Group – architect of modern GT Racing
SRO Motorsports Group was founded by Stephane Ratel and has specialised in the promotion, support and organisation of many national and international motorsport series since 1995.
In 2016, SRO Motorsports Group will promote several championships and series, such as the Blancpain GT Series, including the iconic Total 24 hours of Spa, the British GT Championship, the Blancpain Sports Club with the GT Sports Club and the Ultracar Sports Club, the GT4 European Series and the Intercontinental GT Challenge.
SRO Motorsports Group runs also the SRO Race Centre by MMC, a high-level technical centre at the Paul Ricard Circuit in the south of France.
SRO has offices in London, Paris and Liège.