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Intercontinental GT Challenge

Aston Martin Prepared to Commit to IGTC for 2020

Aston Martin set to be next IGTC manufacturer for 2020…

Photo: SRO

Aston Martin is prepared to commit to a manufacturer entry in Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli should there be full-season customer entries for 2020, according to AMR managing director John Gaw.

The British manufacturer, which was represented in four races this year with efforts from either R-Motorsport or Garage 59, is likely to solidify its involvement should at least one of the teams commit for the full five-round championship.

A total of three new-gen Aston Martin Vantage GT3s are set to compete in next weekend’s season-ending Kyalami 9 Hour, including two R-Motorsport entries that are set to battle for overall honors.

Gaw indicated that both teams could contest the full season in 2020, which would open the door for the manufacturer’s official involvement.

“If there’s entries for the full season then of course Aston will pay the fees,” Gaw told Sportscar365.

“There was no point doing it this year because we didn’t have anyone for the full season.”

A total of eight manufacturers have been registered this year, with SRO Motorsports Group founder and CEO Stephane Ratel admitting it could remain around that level next year.

While Lamborghini has confirmed it will enter, with supported entries from Orange FFF Racing Team, Nissan is expected to exit with KCMG likely switching manufacturers.

“We hope to get another one or two [manufacturers],” Ratel told Sportscar365. “We may lose one or two and gain one or two. Eight manufacturers is already wonderful. If we stay at that level we’ll be happy.”

Gaw said Aston’s commitment would be strictly on a customer basis, unlike full factory efforts seen from the likes of Bentley and Honda.

“It’s a really good championship that goes to some really great places with great manufacturers and good racing,” he said. “It’s just expensive obviously.

“It’s not manufacturer racing so getting people to pay the bills [is the challenge].”

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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