Fanatec Gt World Challenge // Pure GT power at the Motodrom
From 19 to 21 July, the European GT3 elite will meet at the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg. As in the previous year, the ‘Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS’ will organise two rounds of the Sprint Cup on the Baden Grand Prix circuit. This consists of five events which, together with the five endurance races of the Endurance Cup at the end of the season, form the overall standings of this internationally most important GT3 racing series. Each Sprint Cup weekend includes two one-hour races with a driver change between the 25th and 35th minute of the race. This means that two racing drivers share the cockpit of one of the approximately 550-hp GT3 cars.
They compete for points and trophies both in the overall classification and in the Sprint Cup of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe, in the Pro class as well as in the Gold, Silver and Bronze classifications. All of these refer to the driver classifications of the FIA, which range from Platinum and Gold for the professionals to Silver and Bronze for the amateur racers. This diversity is one of the recipes for success of the racing series created and organised by Frenchman Stéphane Ratel with its fascinating GT3 cars.
Eight different brands and around 18,000 hp
Diversity is generally the magic word in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe. Cars from eight different brands are on the grid, and the technical concepts are just as diverse. V8 turbos (Aston Martin, BMW, Ferrari and McLaren) against V10 mid-engines (Lamborghini and Audi) against six-cylinder boxers (Porsche) against naturally aspirated V8s (Mercedes-AMG) – the mix is explosive and promises one thing above all: plenty of excitement and fascination. When 33 of these super sports cars and a good 18,000 hp set off on Saturday and Sunday at 2.15 pm, the venerable Motodrom will shake.
Especially as the field of drivers in the Fanatec GT World Challenge is exquisite. Ahead of the action-packed clash in Hockenheim, Charles Weerts and Dries Vanthoor in the WRT-BMW M4 GT3 are leading both the overall standings and the Sprint Cup, in which the two Belgians have won two of the four individual races so far. However, there can be no question of dominance, as there is a very hot duo lurking just four points behind the championship leaders: Maro Engel and Lucas Auer in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 of WINWARD Racing Team MANN-FILTER.
Varied supporting programme
The supporting programme of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe is also characterised by variety. In addition to the performances of the international GT3 elite, spectators can expect a great mix of three other racing series on the race track and in the paddock. While the ‘Fanatec GT2 European Series powered by Pirelli’ with its more than 700 hp, near-series cars is aimed more at the so-called ‘amateur drivers’, the ‘GT4 European Series powered by RAFA Racing Club’ features huge starting fields and serves both as a springboard for aspiring stars aiming for a GT racing career and as a home for some of the best amateur drivers from all over Europe. The spectacular and original Mitjet racers (technical concept: light, loud, fast, inexpensive) round off the colourful racing programme.
Open paddock, reasonable ticket prices
As usual, all the racing action at the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg is also available at a family-friendly price. The Friday ticket costs just 10 euros, the two day tickets on Saturday and Sunday 20 euros each. If you want to treat yourself to the whole weekend, you can do so for 35 euros. Access to the paddock is included in all tickets. Tickets are available via the online ticket shop at www.hockenheimring.de or at the box office.
Detailed live broadcasts will be available on the GT World YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@GTWorld). This channel is accessible worldwide free of charge and shows all Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe races from the first to the last lap.
