COTA Back on 2020 Schedule; Indy 8H Becomes Optional

Circuit of The Americas is back on the GT World Challenge America schedule, with the GT3-based series set to open its six-race 2020 campaign at the Austin circuit.

The event, which was on the initial calendar released by the SRO at the Total 24 Hours of Spa in July but removed when the shortened schedule was unveiled at the end of season SRO gala in Las Vegas last month, replaces the Indianapolis 8 Hours as a point- paying event.

The Indianapolis Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli round is now a voluntary, post-season event for GT World Challenge America teams.

“After announcing the reduced schedule, we received a lot of feedback from our teams and partners eager to keep COTA,” said Staci Langham, GT Series Manager at SRO America.

“We’re excited to continue to open the season in Austin and thank all our teams and drivers for their continued feedback and support.

“Even with the Indy 8 Hours as a non-points event, we have great interest from our paddock to participate in the Intercontinental GT Challenge endurance race.”

The series also confirmed its class structure (Pro-Am, Silver, and Am) and announced the return of live or same day television coverage of its top class on CBS Sports Network, with 200 hours of SRO coverage due to be broadcast by the network in North America, in addition to the continuation of live streaming coverage online.

SRO America will host its annual State of the Series meeting at the Performance Racing Industry show in Indianapolis on Dec. 12.

2020 GT World Challenge America Calendar:

March 7-8 — Circuit of The Americas
May. 16-17 — Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
Jun. 6-7 — Virginia International Raceway
Aug. 8-9 — Sonoma Raceway
Aug. 29-30 — Road America
Sep. 19-20 — Watkins Glen
Oct. 3-4 — Indianapolis 8 Hours (Non-Points)