GT World Challenge // Motodrom Insight 2024
International sports car racing returns to the Hockenheimring on 19-21 July when Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS makes its third appearance at the Baden-Württemberg circuit. It will mark middle distance in the 10-round championship, which is split equally between the Sprint Cup and Endurance Cup formats.
After running in September for the past two years, Hockenheim shifts to a summer date in 2024 and becomes the third Sprint round after Brands Hatch and Misano. It follows directly from the marquee CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa – which celebrates its centenary edition on 26-30 June – and comes one week before another German meeting on the Nürburgring GP circuit.
Fanatec GT Europe is among the most competitive series to use the globally popular GT3 formula. All cars conform to the same technical regulations, with classes defined by driver ranking. The top-tier Pro class is reserved for fully professional line-ups, while the Gold Cup, Silver Cup and Bronze Cup classes each feature mixed ability pairings.
As was the case in 2023 Hockenheim will stage two 60-minute races with pit stops and mid-race driver changes adding to the sense of excitement. The grid is no less impressive, featuring around 40 cars from some of the world’s biggest automotive manufacturers. Audi, BMW, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche will all be represented, along with the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, McLaren and Ford.
And there’s no shortage of talent among the competitors. Top factory drivers such as Dries Vanthoor (BMW), Christopher Mies (Ford) and Sven Müller (Porsche) will fight for the outright win, while the battle for class victory is equally fierce. Cars will hit the track on Friday for Free Practice and Pre-Qualifying, while both Saturday and Sunday will feature a qualifying session in the morning and a race in the afternoon.
The event will include support action from two more international GT championships: the Fanatec GT2 European Series Powered by Pirelli and the GT4 European Series Powered by RAFA Racing Club. The GT2 machines can count on greater horsepower than their GT3 cousins but are less reliant on aero, while GT4 cars are closer to their road-going equivalents. They will be joined by Mitjet, which brings big grids and some spectacular competition.
The upcoming season represents the 14th since Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS was established in 2011 and draws on SRO Motorsports Group’s extensive experience in GT racing, which began in 1992 and continues to thrive 30 years later.
