The concept of the GT Sports Club – a specific series for Bronze drivers – clearly appeals to many a driver wishing to share their interest for beautiful cars and friendly competition. After a successful opening round during the Espiritu de Montjuic meeting in Barcelona, the Circuit Paul Ricard will see no fewer than 21 cars on the grid for the two GT Sports Club sprint races on Sunday June 21st.
It should come as no surprise that seven of the ten newcomers are French. The Circuit Paul Ricard has always enjoyed great appeal among the drivers, especially those based in the Hexagon. Almost all of the newcomers have taken part in an SRO-organised series before, so they know that they are in good hands.
Among the non-French newcomers there are also two Dutch drivers – Willem Paulys de Pundert and Nico Pronk – and one lady driver: Natalia Freidina, from Russia, who previously competed in the 2012 FIA GT3 European Championship.
But the second round of the GT Sports Club is obviously not only about the newcomers. The series regulars will make sure that they defend their positions in the standings and that is especially the case for the man leading the championship. Max Bianchi set a convincing performance in Barcelona and is certainly aiming for a repeat performance. Among his fiercest competitors will be his Italian countryman Stefano Pezzuchi. In Spain, the Krypton Motorsport driver took the pole position, dominated the 25-minute qualifying race, but tough luck spelled retirement for him in the 40-minute main race.
Four of the GT Sports Club drivers will have a very busy weekend as well. Patrick Van Glabeke, Martin Lanting, Louis-Philippe Soenen and Maurice Ricci will not only compete in the GT Sports Club in Le Castellet, but also take part in the 1000 km. race of the Blancpain Endurance Series, all at the wheel of a Ferrari. With only ten hours between the finish of that endurance race on Saturday evening and the start of the GT Sports Club qualifying session on Sunday morning, the night risks being very short for them …
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Provisional Entry List
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Weekend Schedule
Saturday, June 20th
Free Practice 13:20 – 14:00
Sunday, June 21st
Qualifying 09:15 – 09:35
Qualifying Race 12:10 – 12:35
Main Race 15:05 – 15:45
Live timing and live streaming on www.gtsportsclub.com/live
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SRO Motorsports Group – The architect of modern GT Racing
SRO Motorsports Group was founded by Stephane Ratel and has specialised in the promotion, support and organisation of many national and international motorsport series since 1995.
In 2015, SRO promotes several championships and series, such as the Blancpain GT Series (with the Blancpain Sprint Series and the Blancpain Endurance Series, including the iconic Total 24 hours of Spa), the Avon Tyres British GT Championship and the newly-created GT Sports Club and Ultracar Sports Club. SRO Motorsports Group has various franchise agreements, including the GT4 European Series.
SRO Motorsports Group runs also the SRO Race Centre by MMC, a high-level technical centre at the Paul Ricard Circuit in the south of France.
SRO has offices in London, Paris and Liège.
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