SRO America Expecting Further GT2 Growth Next Year

Photo: Brian Cleary/MB USA

SRO America President and CEO Greg Gill is expecting further growth with the GT2 class, both in GT America powered by AWS and the possibility of Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS next year.

The emerging platform has been officially re-introduced into GT America competition this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with the Mercedes-AMG GT2, KTM X-Bow GT2 and Audi R8 LMS GT2 all represented on the grid.

While SRO Motorsports Group founder and CEO Stephane Ratel had initially targeted a larger field, comprised of at least one car from each eligible manufacturer, Gill indicated the three-car class entry this weekend will serve as a good foundation for the future.

“We had a plan for five or six cars and that was our realistic expectation this weekend,” Gill told Sportscar365. “Due to one case, one of the cars, they were not able to get an Evo kit on the Porsche in time, and two of the KTMs that were going to run in addition weren’t able to make it.

“It was disappointing but I think we’re going to see that grow and I would anticipate five or six cars on the grid next year in GT America.”

Gill reaffirmed that GT2 cars will also be eligible in Fanatec GT competition next year, although said it’s too early to place a firm number of possible entries.

“After what we saw this weekend, in seeing five or six commitments made and then cut in half, I’m very hesitant to say, ‘This is what will be on the Fanatec GT World Challenge grid,'” he said.

“I will say the people who are entering GT America are saying that they will be [also] entering Fanatec GT World Challenge. We’ll see if that follows through.

“I think the new Maserati being debuted this weekend at Paul Ricard, and that’s why Stephane Ratel is not with us because he’s there to make sure all of that gets done, it is something that is going to grow.

“GT2, we’ve seen the growth into a dozen-plus cars in Europe. We know how trends come from Europe back to the States. I think we’re going to see the same way.

“It gives people a really fun race car that is not at the complexity level for both driving and technology that modern-day GT3 is.”

Mercedes-AMG: GT2 Needs Promotion, Understanding for U.S. Market

A mini showcase-style event at Indianapolis this weekend will help bring much-needed exposure to the platform in the U.S. according to Mercedes-AMG customer project manager Julian Schoch.

The German manufacturer has so far sold eight of its new GT2 cars to customers in North America, including one to Lone Star Racing’s Dan Knox, who is giving the car its SRO America debut this weekend.

“I think it’s multiple factors,” Schoch told Sportscar365. “First of all, it’s the promotion of the car, explaining to a customer what the GT2 is capable of and to explain the power-to-weight ratio compared to a GT3 or GT4.

“Especially with our car, it’s a pretty nice entry-level car, you could still call it. We can easily down-tune it electronically. You could basically start off with GT4 power, feel comfortable with the car and then just move your way up to those 707 horsepower max output.

“For me that’s the first factor, to explain it to the customers. Then they just need the opportunity to race it, to either run it on track days or to race it in events like here.

“If you have such a venue like Indianapolis, this can really spark interest. For Dan [Knox], it worked perfectly. He was hooked and I’m glad he was and that the car is here.

“[The class] needs more manufacturers to promote the cars and what they’re capable of doing, and present to clients what you can do with such a car.”

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