Proton Ford in 55-Car Endurance Cup Entry

Proton Competition will make its Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS debut, campaigning a single Ford Mustang GT3 in the Sprint and Endurance Cups this year.

SRO Motorsports Group on Tuesday revealed the full-season entry lists for the 2024 season, with 55 cars lining up in Endurance Cup, one fewer than a year ago.

A record number of nine manufacturers are represented, with Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche joined by Ford for the Blue Oval’s first Fanatec GT appearance in over ten years.

The Christian Ried-led Proton stable, which campaigns cars in the FIA World Endurance Championship, European Le Mans Series and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, steps in to fill the void left by Dinamic GT.

The Italian team announced a return to Porsche on Tuesday after its sudden split with Ford and is represented by a single Bronze Cup entry in both Sprint and Endurance Cup.

The Endurance Cup is guaranteed to see a new champion crowned, with Akkodis ASP Team not defending its title in favor of a WEC campaign with Lexus.

The Pro class has grown from 17 to 18 entries, while Mercedes-AMG remains represented by in the battle for overall wins by three teams: GetSpeed Performance, Boutsen VDS and Winward Racing.

Audi has also retained a strong presence with a combined six cars from Tresor Attempto Racing and Sainteloc Racing. However, the latter’s entries remain listed as ‘TBC’.

Aston Martin returns to battle for overall honors after a year’s absence with the updated Aston Martin Vantage GT3 and two new teams in Comtoyou Racing and Walkenhorst Motorsport.

GRT Grasser Racing Team replaces K-PAX Racing as Lamborghini’s second Pro squad alongside Iron Lynx, while BMW is represented by last year’s CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa winners ROWE Racing as well as Team WRT.

Porsche and Ferrari, meanwhile, are represented in the top class by Rutronik Racing, Schumacher CLRT Racing Team and AF Corse.

Elsewhere on the grid, ten cars have been entered into Silver Cup and six in Gold Cup. The Bronze Cup, of which the overall champion receives an invitation into the 24 Hours of Le Mans, has attracted 19 entries.

The Sprint Cup, meanwhile, has attracted two fewer entries compared to a year ago and will see 38 cars taking part.

All brands that ran in the Pro category remain last year remain represented, although some with new teams.

Of note, Vincenzo Sospiri Racing has left the championship, but a single Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 will be entered by Grasser under the Liqui Moly Team Engstler by OneGroup banner.

Winward and Boutsen VDS represent Mercedes-AMG in the Pro class after Akkodis ASP’s departure, while defending champions Tresor Attempto Racing returns with no fewer four Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo IIs including one in Pro.

Comtoyou (now with Aston Martin), Team WRT, Emil Frey Racing and Garage 59 all return, while Rutronik Racing joins the Sprint Cup grid for the first time to run two Porsche 911 GT3 Rs.

“The Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS entry lists are the result of many months’ hard work and it is a great pleasure to share them with you all,” said SRO Motorsports Group founder and CEO Stephane Ratel.

“I am delighted that nine globally significant brands will compete in both Sprint and Endurance, all of them fielding at least one Pro car.

“I am also pleased that the Sprint Cup remains so strong, with 38 full-season entries and additional cars already confirmed, such as Valentino Rossi at Brands Hatch and Misano.

“The Endurance Cup field continues at the same extremely high level that we have known for several years with 55 cars, a number that will certainly grow for the centenary CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa.

“As we prepare to go racing, I must extend my sincere thanks to each team for placing its confidence in Fanatec GT Europe.”