PWC Retains Right for Bronze, Silver Driver Rating Adjustments

WC Vision, producers of the Pirelli World Challenge, has confirmed it will continue to exercise its option to revise driver classifications, a process also adopted by SRO Motorsports Group.

The option, which PWC started last year, allows provisions for self-funded amateurs classified as Silver by the FIA to compete in the PWC’s GTA and GTSA divisions.

“We have been in close contact with the SRO and the FIA about global driver rankings,” said WC Vision President and CEO Greg Gill.

“It is imperative to the spirit of competition that fairness be maintained in all classes of drivers within the Series. ”

PWC Vice President Marcus Haselgrove explained that while the FIA system effectively covers the majority of its database, it has allowed for some paid professional drivers to be classified the same as some amateur drivers.

As all major series regularly supply the FIA with their timing data, it is a process that is constantly improving.

“For GT3, we were able to apply changes that created a great GTA battle in 2017,” he said. “For 2018, we will continue to monitor average lap times and permit self-funded amateurs to run in GTA.”

Haselgrove explained that the GTS class, now consisting exclusively of the SRO-homologated GT4 cars, were defined from the beginning as a “customer class.”

“The auto manufacturers around the world have all given a commitment of a customer-based model,” he said.

In GTS, FIA-rated Bronze drivers, who have previously raced professionally, are permitted to race as Bronze drivers but must carry an additional ballast of 2.5 percent of the Appendix A vehicle weight.

In SprintX, both GTS team drivers will accrue GTS SprintX points towards the overall championship.

GTS SprintX Silver-rated drivers, who are approved by the board as self-funded amateurs, will be permitted to drive alone in the GTS Sprint events with the addition of the 2.5 percent of the Appendix A vehicle weight.

Additionally, amateur drivers, who exhibit performance levels consistent with Bronze-rated drivers, may apply for or may be reclassified as Bronze drivers.