Three Manufacturers for IGTC; Independent Cup Launched

Photo: Bathurst 12H

This year’s Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli will be contested by BMW, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche, SRO Motorsports Group has confirmed, with longtime manufacturer entrant Audi forgoing the globe-trotting GT3 championship for the first time in the series’ eight-year history.

Confirmed on Wednesday ahead of this weekend’s season-opening Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour, SRO has also launched the Independent Cup, formerly known as Pro-Am Challenge, which will be featured in the entire five-round season.

Audi’s absence from IGTC comes after comments from its head of customer racing Chris Reinke last month, indicating the German manufacturer had not yet made a final decision on its involvement for the 2023 season.

While supporting Melbourne Performance Centre’s multi-car effort at Bathurst, Audi nor its drivers will not be eligible to score IGTC points.

SRO confirmed a nine-car IGTC entry list for Bathurst, featuring four Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evos, two BMW M4 GT3s and a pair of Porsche 911 GT3 Rs.

It includes defending Bathurst 12H overall winners SunEnergy1 Racing, which has entered the Pro class this weekend, with Kenny Habul therefore forfeiting points in the Independent Cup, which is reserved for Pro-Am class driving crews only.

Unlike the Pro drivers’ championship, which will return to having all races count towards the championship title, the Independent Cup will allow for one drop score over the season, which would therefore keep Habul’s title defense chances alive.

In addition to the U.S.-based Australian, both Stephen Grove and Jonathan Hui are also signed up for the full season of the Independent Cup.

Other cars that will be eligible to score IGTC points this weekend include Mercedes-AMG-backed Pro class entries from GruppeM Racing and Craft-Bamboo Racing, as well as the Pro-Am class entered car from Volante Rosso Motorsport.

Both of Team WRT’s BMW M4 GT3s are also points scorers in Bathurst, along with the Manthey EMA Porsche 911 GT3 R, which will compete in the Pro class as well.

Per IGTC rules, GT3 brands can nominate up to four cars per event but with the best two finishers per brand scoring points for its manufacturer.

Manufacturers will be able to nominate up to five cars at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, meanwhile.

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