- Modern GT2 machines on show at TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa
- Audi, Brabham, KTM, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche on display
- Fanatec GT2 European Series provisional 2023 calendar released
The modern era of GT2 racing and manufacturers is on show at Spa-Francorchamps in The Rise of GT2 exhibition being staged throughout the TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa – the world’s biggest GT3 race.
Thanks to teams and manufacturers from the Fanatec GT2 European Series, a stunning collection of machinery will be on display at Paddock Rouge, including the Audi R8 LMS GT2, Brabham BT63 GT2 Concept, KTM X-BOW, Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series and Porsche GT2 RS CS.
The cars are being showcased fresh from their fourth-round of the season, held at the Ardennes circuit last weekend. The cars come courtesy of LP Racing, Brabham Automotive Factory Racing, KTM/True Racing by Reiter Engineering and SPS Performance.
The latest championship devised by the SRO Motorsports Group, the Fanatec GT2 European Series is designed to put non-professional drivers back at the heart of modern-day GT racing. The championship offers the ideal platform for non-professional drivers to race high-powered supercars from world-leading manufacturers at some of the best circuits in the sport.
In creating the Fanatec GT2 European Series, the objective was for the new, modern-era GT2 cars to run close to the performance level of GT3s, whilst being closer to GT4 in terms of running costs. This goal has already been achieved, and the pace comparison to GT3 was proven just last weekend at Spa, where the Brabham BT63 GT2 Concept set a pole time of 2:20, just shy of GT3 lap times.
Now in its second year of competition, the championship is already providing incredibly close racing, whilst attracting more leading brands. Earlier this week, Maserati confirmed its return to GT racing with the launch of the new MC20 GT2, which will make its Fanatec GT2 European Series debut next year. The Maserati MC20 road car upon which the GT2 model is based will also be on display at Spa, close to The Rise of GT2 exhibition.
What is GT2?
SRO Motorsports Group has a strong history of innovation in GT racing, and back in 2018 spotted a gap in the market. While the GT3 regulations have been a runaway success since their introduction in 2005, the evolution of the category has naturally made it faster and more professional with the cars becoming thoroughbred racing machines, often entered and raced by the manufacturers themselves, which can limit opportunities for amateur drivers at the top level.
GT racing has always had amateur drivers at its heart, so GT2 has been formulated to bring gentlemen drivers back to the front of the stage, offering world-class GT cars run by professional teams, but within a more relaxed atmosphere where they can thrive.
The Fanatec GT2 European Series completes the SRO Motorsports Group’s GT Racing pyramid, catering for newcomers to GT racing, and the more mature silver and bronze drivers wanting to enjoy the full power of GT Racing. It sits alongside the GT4 European Series, established as the ideal starting point for young drivers taking their first step towards top-flight professional GT racing, while the Fanatec GT World Challenge powered by AWS represents the top level of GT3 racing in the world.
Each of The Rise of GT2 cars will be displayed with full technical specifications, together with details on how to reach each manufacturer.
Provisional Fanatec GT2 European Series 2023 calendar released
The Fanatec GT2 European Series returns for what promises to be its biggest and best season yet in 2023, with a six-event 12-race calendar taking in some of Europe’s premier circuits, including two exciting new venues.
Revealed at the SRO Motorsports Group annual press conference on the eve of the TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa today (Friday), the third season of the Fanatec GT2 European Series will begin at Monza, Italy, before returning to the stunning Styrian mountains for round two at the Red Bull Ring in Austria.
The halfway point of the 2023 season will then break new ground at Circuit Dijon in France before the Series makes its debut at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, Portugal in July. Valencia, Spain, returns to the schedule for the penultimate championship battles before the Fanatec GT2 European Series title will be decided at Circuit Paul Ricard in October.
2023 Provisional Calendar
Round 1 – 15-16 April – Monza, Italy
Round 2 – TBC May – Red Bull Ring, Austria
Round 3 – 24-25 June – Circuit Dijon, France
Round 4 – 15-16 July – Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, Portugal
Round 5 – 16-17 September – Valencia, Spain
Round 6 – 14-15 October – Circuit Paul Ricard, France