China GT Expands to GT4, Forms Partnership with SRO

Photo: SRO

The China GT Championship will adopt the GT4 class and regulations into its series as part of a further collaboration with SRO Motorsports Group, both organizations announced on Monday.

The national series, which launched last year with GT3 and GT Cup machinery, is set to expand this season to also include the cost-effective GT4 class, which will utilize SRO’s technical regulations and Balance of Performance.

China GT will continue to administer its own BoP for the GT3 and GTC classes.

“Last year’s inaugural season of China GT proved to be ultra-successful with strong grid count, mass attended events and nationwide publicity fueling the positive vibes and a significant growth in entries leading into this year’s season,” said China GT Vice General Manager Charlie Davison.

“A decent portion of that growth spawns from the introduction of the GT4 class, which will make China GT a more accessible and inclusive platform to those teams and drivers who want to go racing at a reasonable cost.

“We look forward to seeing GT4 flourish in China.”

China GT is the latest in the growing number of series to adopt GT4 regulations worldwide, including Pirelli World Challenge and the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge in North America, as well as recently having been added to events such as the Bathurst 12 Hour and Sepang 12 Hours.

“Our partnership with the China GT Championship proves just how far the GT4 class has come in a short space of time,” Stephane Ratel said. “Clearly it’s now an essential component of modern day GT racing.

“Not only does it provide a first step into the GT ranks for less experienced drivers and budding pros but it also offers teams an opportunity to learn and then expand onto the international stage using the same cars in a more cost-effective way.

“I’m delighted to see a developing motorsport market like China adopt our GT4 regulations and BoP governance, and look forward to tracking its progress there over the coming years.”

China GT season kicks off at the Goldenport circuit in Beijing on May 13-14.

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