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FIA, ACO Confirm Single Pro-Am GT3-Based Class for 2024

FIA, ACO confirms details of new GT3-based category set to debut in 2024…

Photo: Asian Le Mans Series

The FIA and ACO have confirmed its future GT class structure in the World Endurance Championship, announcing a single Pro-Am enforced class that will debut in 2024 with modifications from the GT3 regulations.

The name of the GT3-based category, which has not yet been finalized, will become the new flagship production-based class in the WEC, replacing GTE, which will run through the end of the 2023 season under the GTE-Am moniker.

GTE-Pro, meanwhile, will be phased out by the end of this year.

The switch from GTE to GT3 was initially announced at last year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans although further details had not been confirmed until Friday.

Among the items announced during the ACO press conference include a kit for GT3 cars called ‘GT3 Premium’ and the utilization of commercial tires for the class.

According to FIA Endurance Commission President Richard Mille, the kit, which is targeted to provide a “special look” to each GT3 model, will be cost capped to between €50,000-100,000 ($53,000-106,000 USD) and be strictly aero changes only.

The kits, which will be mandatory for each GT3 manufacturer wishing to be represented in the class, will be easily reversible, allowing teams to jump between FIA GT3 specification and WEC trim.

“The basis is GT3 but we want some upgrades in terms of look,” Mille told Sportscar365. “It will be a kit that will go along with the cost cap.

“The objective is that we’re totally devoted to lower the costs.

“We really need, today, even if we speak about the matters, in GTE today we have very wealthy amateurs. But it’s not a reason to handle the costs in the future.

“We’ve been drastically reducing the costs in Hypercar. I think the success is there because we have proved that with reasonable amounts of budgets you could race in the WEC and in Le Mans.

“In GT3 it’s exactly the same approach. But of course it must be totally devoted to amateurs. We don’t want any factory or official entries. 

“It’s integrated in this business model. The possibility for [manufacturers] to sell cars to private teams.”

In addition to confirming that factory teams such as Corvette Racing will not be permitted to compete, Mille indicated that each lineup must include at least one Bronze-rated driver, similar to GTE-Am.

He said the class is likely to be called ‘LM GT’ in order to distinguish it from the base GT3 platform.

ACO President Pierre Fillon added that the ‘premium kit’ is not to enhance the car’s performance.

“[It’s] just to to have bodywork that [lets] you know this is a bodywork for endurance,” he said.

“This is just details because the driver wants to have a premium product.

“This is bodywork, it will be easy to remove the difference with the normal GT3. With all cars and you’ll be able to compete in all GT3 championships in the world.”

Daniel Lloyd contributed to this report

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

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