IGTC Points Nomination Altered; Added Focus on Am Drivers

Photo: SRO

A number of changes relating to driver crews and the relevance of Am drivers have been made to the Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli regulations ahead of the 2020 season.

The number of Pro cars eligible to score IGTC points for each manufacturer has been reduced, allowing for an increased focus on Pro-Am and Silver crews.

At all rounds except the Total 24 Hours of Spa, each full-season manufacturer can still nominate up to four crews to score points, but only three of these can be Pro lineups, with the final allocation reserved for Silver, Pro-Am or Am entries.

Out of these four entries, only the two highest-placed cars will actually score points, in the same ruling as in previous seasons.

Manufacturers will be permitted to nominate more cars at Spa, which traditionally receives the series’ largest grid.

Each brand will be able to nominate up to six cars, including four Pro lineups and two from the remaining classes, but with its best three cars now scoring points.

A Pro-Am drivers’ championship has also been created to attract more Bronze-rated drivers to the series after a drop off of interest in the Bronze drivers’ championship last year.

Now, eligible Pro-Am crews do not need to represent a full-season manufacturer, and the individual drivers can also change between races, allowing for more flexibility.

Pro-Am crews must comprise two Bronze drivers and one Silver, Gold or Platinum.

This move comes after a failure to attract year-round Bronze drivers in 2019, following the previous year’s two-driver battle between Tim Pappas and Kenny Habul.

“Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli enjoyed a particularly strong year in 2019 thanks to its increasing number of manufacturers and entries plus Kyalami’s addition to the calendar, but we cannot rest on our laurels,” said SRO Motorsports Group founder and CEO Stephane Ratel.

“All forms of GT racing are underpinned by amateurs and young drivers, many of whom are eager to compete at the bucket list race circuits and events Intercontinental GT Challenge visits.

“Offering Pro-Am and Silver crews an opportunity to contribute towards a global title is, I think, unique in world motorsport.”

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.