Photo: Gruppe C Photography
The ADAC has confirmed that its GT Masters series will retain the traditional two-driver, GT-only format this year after initial plans to integrate LMP3 cars were dropped.
The German motorsport organization on Tuesday announced the implementation of a “tried-and-tested” concept for the 2023 season, which will consist of six rounds and a dozen races.
Radical changes to the GT Masters structure were proposed in December following the ADAC’s takeover of the DTM series, which also uses GT3 cars.
Under the proposal, the Prototype Cup Germany would have been integrated into GT Masters to create a new multi-class championship called DTM Endurance.
That idea has now been ditched, although the ADAC has tweaked its rules on GT Masters driver categorizations.
The series will require each lineup to include one Silver or Bronze-rated driver in the car, banning the possibility for teams to run two higher-graded professional drivers.
“In 2023, the ADAC GT Masters will start with the same concept that has delighted fans for 16 years now,” said ADAC motorsport director Thomas Voss.
“We will not be pursuing the plans presented in December, which included joint races with the ADAC GT Masters and prototypes.
“This is in line with the desire of many teams for the ADAC GT Masters to continue unchanged in its current form.
“However, from a sporting perspective, we are sharpening the profile of the series, by making it mandatory to have a Silver or Bronze driver in every car.
“In doing so, we are ensuring that the ADAC GT Masters remains an attractive platform for ambitious and talented drivers.”
GT Masters and the DTM will share the same weekend billing at the Norisring, Sachsenring, Red Bull Ring and Hockenheim for the season finale.
The opening round of GT Masters will also take place at Hockenheim but without the DTM, while the Nürburgring fixture coincides with the ADAC Truck Grand Prix.
A total prize pot of €570,000 ($619,650 USD) has been announced for the season, which starts in June and finishes in October. Entry applications open on Wednesday.
2023 ADAC GT Masters Schedule:
June 9-11 – Hockenheim
July 7-9 – Norisring
July 14-16 – Nürburgring
Sep. 8-10 – Sachsenring
Sep. 22-24 – Red Bull Ring
Oct. 20-22 – Hockenheim
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