GT: Endurance Series launched

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From www.gt1world.com

Three-hour races, pit stops, driver changes, multiple classes and non-stop overtaking. The magical formula that made the FIA GT Championship such a success with teams, drivers and the media is back with the rebirth of the endurance format for GT cars with the Blancpain Endurance Series for 2011.

The SRO-promoted FIA GT1 World Championship has proved to be a great success in its inaugural season. With growing audiences, and a round in China in 2011, its focus will be increasingly global in future years. As for the FIA GT3 European Championship, it will be entering its sixth season in 2011.

With new cars from major manufacturers such as Ferrari and Mercedes, the Championship is growing in professionalism and reach with an event in Russia in 2011. Reserved for GT3 and GT4 cars, which have already made their mark in long-distance races, the new series will be centred around GT racing’s showcase event, the Total 24 Hours of Spa .

The remaining three-hour events will take place at Monza, in Italy, Spain’s newest circuit of  Navarra, France’s Magny Cours and Silverstone.

With the three-driver line-up so popular with teams and gentlemen drivers, no driver classification in the top class, and a three-step qualifying system inspired from Formula One, the new series aims to give teams and drivers everything they want in a friendly yet professional atmosphere.


2011 Endurance Series calendar:

17th April — Monza - Italy
22nd May — Navarra - Spain
30th July — Total 24 Hours of Spa - Belgium
27th August — Magny Cours - France
9th October — Silverstone - Great Britain