SRO “Cautiously Optimistic” of Spa, Watkins Clash Avoidance

Photo: Fabian Lagunas/SRO

SRO Motorsports Group founder and CEO Stephane Ratel said he’s “cautiously optimistic” of coming to a resolution with IMSA that would prevent a clash with the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa and the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen next year.

The two major endurance races currently sit on the same late June weekend, following the release of the 2024 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship calendar, which also has seen overlaps with FIA World Endurance Championship races and the Nürburgring 24.

Several manufacturers, including BMW and Porsche as well as CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz, whose company serves as the title sponsor of the Spa enduro and raced in both events this year, have spoken out in support of finding a solution.

SRO America President and CEO Greg Gill told U.S. stakeholders Friday evening during its ‘State of the Sport’ address that there’s “every intention” to work out the current date clash.

“We would love to,” Ratel told Sportscar365. “We had a call with our friends at IMSA and we’re looking at it. What would be the outcome? I can’t tell you. We’re cautiously optimistic that something will happen.

“It would be a shame [if a solution is not found]. Especially the centenary event, it will be something quite special. It will be a special event for the 100th anniversary so let’s see.”

SRO America, meanwhile, did not release its finalized 2024 schedule on Friday, as initially expected, as it now works to solve date clashes of its own between the IMSA-sanctioned Ferrari Challenge North America series.

“We’re very close but we want to make sure that to get the maximum benefit for our customers,” Gill told Sportscar365.

“Just as we see the global challenge for the Watkins Glen and Spa clash, we see the same thing as we talk with our friends at Ferrari Challenge and realize we have three events in conflict and we don’t want that.

“On the same token, we have some great partnerships with tracks that we want to continue. We’ll have the announcement soon.”

Gill said he expects the finalized 2024 SRO America calendar to be released before the series’ next round at Sebring International Raceway in September.

Ratel added: “It’s better to take a bit more time and present something that allows you… Our only objective is to have as many teams as possible and to give the teams what we’ve achieved in Europe.

“In Europe, if you think about it, we’ve achieved, for the benefits of the drivers, of the teams and the manufacturers to have no clashes between WEC, World Challenge Europe, DTM, Nürburgring 24 and the Quali race of the Nürburgring 24.

“Imagine how difficult that was to achieve. We managed it. When there is a will there is a way.

“In America, it’s good that Greg has also managed to IMSA not to have clashes. It would be good to also not have clashes with Ferrari Challenge because there are a lot of drivers at our level where we can be the next step for people who want to do double programs in Ferrari Challenge and us.

“In the end, if we can do a compromise there too, we’ll see what we can manage. But it’s too early to say.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John