GT1 / GT3 – SRO reveals end of season dates

Recently, SRO, Stéphane Ratel's company, announced that it would stop promoting the FIA ​​GT1 world championship (see here). Incidentally, a redesign of the end of the 2012 calendars was declared. As expected, it is within the framework of the 24 Hours of Spa, the flagship round of the Blancpain Endurance Series, that Stéphane and his troops provided some details regarding the future of these various series. Stéphane Ratel began by regretting that a “rapid deterioration of the economic environment” made impossible, on its part, the regular financial subsidy required by an FIA-labelled world championship in 2013. “We have proven over the last three years that a professional championship can be organized with GT and a sprint format, he explained. It has not been an easy adventure, but over the past three years, we have launched a new concept, abandoning the traditional amateur format, to found a professional business, where income comes from sponsors, promoters of various events and broadcasters could be redistributed to teams. Unfortunately, in a house that was constantly on fire, we were unable to distribute evenly, as we needed to help teams more in need. But with a more stable environment, we could establish a more professional partnership with the teams. Several commercial and sporting factors have increased the difficulty of our task. It was a hard lesson. Now is the time to turn the page. I would like to publicly thank the FIA ​​and its President Jean Todt for their help during past seasons, and more particularly this year, in allowing the world championship to continue. We (SRO. Editor’s note) we will no longer ensure the promotion of the FIA ​​GT1 world championship and the FIA ​​GT3 European championship, but we will be 100% involved at the end of the 2012 season, and will continue to work for an international and professional GT series in 2013 (see here. Editor’s note) ».

Stéphane Ratel took the opportunity to announce how the end of “his” FIA GT1 would take place. “We are keen to conclude the 2012 FIA GT1 World Championship and FIA GT3 Championship season in a professional manner, respecting our commitments to the teams, drivers, manufacturers, promoters, broadcasters and the FIA”. The Chinese and Korean stages of GT1 are replaced by events held on the old continent. Hexis Racing, Vita4One, Audi WRT and others will now go to the Solvakia Ring (for a second appearance this season) from August 17 to 19, to Moscow on the weekend of September 2, to the German Nürburgring track from August 21 to September 23 and finally in New Delhi, India on November 30 and December 1. Note that in Moscow and at the Nürburgring, the GT3 will also be taking part in the support race.

See here the final version of the 2012 FIA GT1 World Championship calendar.