Intercontinental GT Challenge explained

Category:Grand tourer
Endurance racing
Country/Region:International
Inaugural2:2016
Tyres:Pirelli
Champion Driver: Jules Gounon
Manufacturer:Mercedes-AMG
Current Season: Intercontinental GT Challenge

The Intercontinental GT Challenge is a sports car racing series developed by the SRO Group in 2016.[1] It consists of international endurance races for grand tourer racing cars complying with the FIA's GT3 regulations.[2]

Format

The series is aimed at manufacturers. Instead of fielding their own cars, manufacturers can appoint and support local teams in selected events to gain points.[3] [1] Four manufacturers took part in the inaugural series in 2016: Audi, Bentley, McLaren and Mercedes.[4]

The races may be stand-alone events, like the Suzuka 10 Hours, (which the event are organized by GT Association, Super GT race promoter) and the Bathurst 12 Hour (the event are organized by Supercars Events), or part of another championship (like the 24 Hours of Spa, Indianapolis 8 Hour and Kyalami 9 Hours) but they are all contested by cars complying with the same technical regulations.[3] [5] [6]

Champions

The title is awarded to the manufacturer with the highest points tally.[3] A manufacturer can enter up to four cars in any event but only receives points for its two highest placed cars. Drivers’ titles are awarded in the Pro category and the Am category for drivers that a rated bronze by the FIA's ranking system.

Manufacturers' championship

YearGT3GT4
2016 AudiNot held
2017 Audi Porsche
2018 AudiNot held
2019 PorscheNot held
2020 PorscheNot held
2021 AudiNot held
2022 Mercedes-AMGNot held
2023 Mercedes-AMGNot held

Drivers' championship

YearDriversAm Drivers (2016)
Bronze Drivers (2018–2019)
Pro-Am Drivers (2021–22)
Indepentent Cup (2023–)
2016 Laurens Vanthoor (Audi) Thierry Cornac (Porsche)
Steve McLaughlan (Audi)
2017 Markus Winkelhock (Audi)Not held
2018 Tristan Vautier (Mercedes-AMG) Kenny Habul (Mercedes-AMG)
2019 Dennis Olsen (Porsche) Kenny Habul (Mercedes-AMG)
2020 Nicky Catsburg (BMW)
Augusto Farfus (BMW)
Not held
2021 Côme Ledogar (Ferrari)
Alessandro Pier Guidi (Ferrari)
Mikaël Grenier (Mercedes-AMG)
Kenny Habul (Mercedes-AMG)
Martin Konrad (Mercedes-AMG)
2022 Daniel Juncadella (Mercedes-AMG) Kenny Habul (Mercedes-AMG)
Martin Konrad (Mercedes-AMG)
2023 Jules Gounon (Mercedes-AMG) Jonathan Hui (Mercedes-AMG/McLaren/Ferrari)

See also

Notes and References

  1. Concept. SRO motorsports. 2017.
  2. The 2017 Intercontinental GT Challenge opener has its date. Blanc Pain. 16 March 2016.
  3. Web site: Intercontinental GT Challenege . Intercontinental GT Challenge . 2016. 2016-07-28.
  4. Vanthoor seals Intercontinental GT Challenge. Bathurst 12 Hour. 2016.
  5. Monterey added to 2017 Intercontinental GT Challenge. Sportscar 365. 29 July 2016.
  6. Bathurst to open Intercontinental GT Challenge. Motorsport. 25 November 2015.