GT3 to the rescue

According to Red Bull:

“As costs escalated, GT2 was ignored and GT1 cars weren’t suitable for the likes of a 24-hour race at Spa, so GT3 cars joined the fray and that was where the idea of Blancpain came from,” affirms Addison. “GT3 became so popular, interest in the GT1 series dissipated – GT3 was cheaper – the FIA GT Championship then became the Blancpain GT Sprint series, jettisoned the FIA tag and all associated expenses.”

Name history of Blancpain GT Sprint series

  • The FIA GT Championship At the end of 2009, was replaced by the FIA GT1 World Championship.
  • The FIA GT1 World Championship was held from 2010 to 2012. Morphed into the FIA GT Series for 2013.
  • The FIA GT Series was renamed to Blancpain Sprint Series in 2014 and 2015, and Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup from 2016 to 2018.
  • The Blancpain GT World Challenge Europe, 2019.

Blancpain GT3 classes

Pro & Silver: white LED number lights

Pro-Am: blue LED number lights

Am: orange LED number lights

How to reconginze Intercontinental GT Challenge cars in the Total 24 Hours of Spa

In addition to the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup, the Total 24 Hours of Spa represents the marquee event for the Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli. While this is a separate championship, its record contingent of 28 nominated cars will fall under the same class structure as the rest of the field. In terms of the race, they are no different from any other entrant. Nominated cars will be easily identifiable thanks to a white Blancpain windscreen sticker, as opposed to the usual black decal.

White windscreen sticker is Intercontinental GT challenge GT3 cars Black windscreen sticker is Blancpain GT3 cars

  • Intercontenental GT Challenge
  • FIA GT World Cup (Macau, November)

List of GT3 Race Series

Since 2006, Group GT3 cars have been either exclusive to or in a distinct class in each of the following series: bold indicates an active series that currently uses Group GT3 cars.

  • 24H GT Series
  • ADAC GT Masters
  • Asian Le Mans Series
  • Australian GT Championship
  • Belgian GT Championship
  • Blancpain GT World Challenge America
  • Blancpain GT World Challenge Asia
  • Blancpain GT World Challenge Europe
  • Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup
  • Brazilian GT Championship
  • China GT Championship
  • British GT Championship
  • European Le Mans Series
  • FFSA GT Championship
  • FIA GT World Cup
  • FIA GT Nations Cup
  • FIA GT1 World Championship
  • FIA GT3 European Championship
  • GT Asia Series
  • Michelin Le Mans Cup
  • Intercontinental GT Challenge
  • International GTSprint Series
  • International GT Open
  • Italian GT Championship
  • Portuguese GT Championship
  • Spanish GT Championship
  • Super Taikyu Series
  • Veranstaltergemeinschaft Langstreckenpokal Nürburgring
  • WeatherTech SportsCar Championship

Additionally, the following series allow certain Group GT3 cars to participate alongside other competitors:

  • Britcar
  • Dutch Supercar Challenge
  • Rolex Sports Car Series
  • Super GT
  • Swedish GT Series
  • V de V Sports Challenge Endurance/GT Tourisme