Sepang 12 Hours sets up exciting Intercontinental GT Challenge

24th November 2015

The Sepang 12 Hours, a joint organisation between the Sepang International Circuit and the SRO Motorsports Group, will be part of the new Intercontinental GT Challenge, to be launched in 2016. The blue riband event of the Asia-Pacific endurance scene will therefore act as a prologue to the new series, highlighting the global attractiveness of GT3 racing.

Important partnership

The 2015 edition of the Sepang 12 Hours was officially launched today, during a press conference at the Ruang event centre in Shah Alam, just outside the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. At the press conference, Stephane Ratel, Founder and CEO of the SRO Motorsports Group, and Dato’ Razlan Razali, CEO of Sepang International Circuit, underlined the importance of the co-operation between their two organisations for the future of the Sepang 12 Hours.

When the SRO Motorsports Group announced its partnership with the Sepang International Circuit to co-organise and co-promote the Sepang 12 Hours at the beginning of this year, the aim was to develop the Sepang 12 Hours to become one of the must-attend events on the international motorsports calendar. One look at the entry list shows that both SRO and SIC have succeeded in their plans. The 2015 edition will be an excellent base to further strengthen this partnership during the years to come, an important condition to organise and promote high profile GT events on an intercontinental level.

High level entry list

With major teams from both Europe and the Australasian region at the start of the Sepang 12 Hours, in addition to some of the best Asian teams, the gruelling race has become even more difficult. Teams and drivers in both Touring Cars and GT3 machinery now not only have to cope with the notorious heat and humidity, but the level of racing will force them to keep their wits about them at all times.

Although the GT3 category is the best represented on the starting grid, the battle for GTC, GT4 (with Team Proton Lotus bringing a Lotus Exige V6) and Touring Car honours will be at least as fierce. The Sepang 12 Hours has always seen a cohabitation of several racing categories and that has not changed for 2015. Audi, Bentley, Ferrari, Honda, Lamborghini, Lotus, McLaren, Mercedes, Porsche, Subaru and Toyota bring the total of prestigious brands on the entry list to eleven, all represented by top teams. All of these exciting racing machines are in the hands of GT- and Touring Car-specialists, with several former (and reigning) champions at the start.

Singapore-based Clearwater Racing will do everything in its power to take its third consecutive overall victory, and with a driver line-up including last year’s winner Gimmi Bruni, triple Sepang 12 Hours-winner Mok Weng Sun, 2015 Blancpain Endurance Pro-Am champion Matt Griffin and GT World championship stalwart James Calado, the #1 Ferrari deserves its status of favourite.

But the competition will be tough. With Maxi Buhk, Vincent Abril, Stéphane Ortelli, Laurens Vanthoor, Christopher Mies and Christopher Haase all on the entry list, there are several Blancpain GT Series champions at the start, all competing for factory-supported entries from Belgian Audi Club Team WRT and Bentley Team M-Sport. And that is not all. The McLarens of FFF Racing Team by ACM should not be counted out, nor should be Team AAI HubAuto’s Mercedes, with Japanese aces Hiroki Yoshimoto and Nobuteru Taniguchi at the wheel. And what about the Phoenix Racing trio of Winkelhock, Mayr-Melnhof and Thiim, driving an Audi R8 LMS. A similar car will be entered by sister team Audi Hong Kong powered by Phoenix Racing Asia, with local hero (and former F1-racer) Alex Yoong sharing the car with Marchy Lee and Shaun Thong. Throw in former winner Peter Kox at the wheel of the B-Quick Racing Audi R8 Cup and it is clear that the level of racing in this year’s edition of the Sepang 12 Hours will be extraordinary, to say the least.

Live Coverage

A top-notch event like the Sepang 12 Hours deserves a suitable TV coverage, and we are glad to announce that several networks have shown big interest in the race. In South East Asia, Fox Sports Asia will show large parts of the race live through Fox Sports 3, Fox Play as well as showing the full race live on their website. Afterwards highlights will be broadcast, just like on the Astro network. Motors TV will show the race completely live in all their territories. 7 Australia will show highlights of the race, and the same goes for Fox Latin America. In the USA CBS Sports will show highlights, while the whole race can be followed live through the online Motor Trend/ Torque channel. Fans in the Middle East and Africa can see the highlights through BeIn and Fox Sports Africa broadcasts. For those unable to watch the Asian endurance classic on television, there will be a live feed on the official website, www.sepang12hours.com, and on the Blancpain GT Series website, with expert commentary from David Addison and Jack Nicholls. The race will obviously be covered through the usual social media channels as well.

Intercontinental GT Challenge presented

The launch of the 2015 Sepang 12 Hours was also an excellent opportunity to further introduce the Intercontinental GT Challenge, which will be launched by the SRO Motorsports Group next year. Stephane Ratel took the opportunity to unveil the new logo of the series and give some more information about the Challenge itself.

Together with the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour, Circuit of the Americas 6 hours and Total 24 hours of Spa, the 2016 edition of the Sepang 12 Hours will be part of the inaugural calendar of the Intercontinental GT Challenge, the first-ever global GT3 Series. This new Challenge is aimed at manufacturers, who are encouraged to use local teams to represent them in these leading GT3 races, as it is more cost- and time-effective to fly engineers and drivers around the world rather than cars and equipment.

Both a manufacturers’ and a drivers’ title will be awarded in the Pro category, while a Drivers’ title will be awarded in Pro-Am. The events will all have common technical regulations and the BOP will be managed by SRO. The Intercontinental GT Challenge will represent the highest achievement in long distance GT racing. By uniting these iconic events in one series, the level of racing at each round will certainly increase, improving the attractiveness of the event to fans, sponsors, media, drivers and teams alike. A large TV coverage is projected all over the world.

Track Days / Test Days / MotorsportDays.com

	Date	Circuit / Layout	Event Type	Cost
June 2023
+	Wednesday 07 June 2023	Thruxton Full	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£179
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Thruxton One of the longest and the fastest circuits in the UK at 2.356 miles, Thruxton is another old airbase which has been used for motorsport since 1950. Racing at Thruxton is limited, and track days are even rarer due to strict noise restrictions so the visit of British Touring Cars and the British Superbike Championship are the main points of the season at Thruxton. The surface at Thruxton is a tough one and is known for causing severe tyre wear. Graining occurs but it does give surprisingly Read more
+	Tuesday 13 June 2023	Donington Park National	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£249
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Donington Park Paul Wilson – www.paul-wilson.net Vantage GT3 for a Leonard AMR in the VLN Nordschleife series Donington Park (with one N!) was the first permanent park circuit in England, opening in 1931. During the Second World War, the track was requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence and it took until 1971 before the track was purchased by local man Tom Wheatcroft and turned back into the track it is today. Below is an expert guide to Donington Park by Paul Wilson, Caterham R300 Champion, Read more
+	Wednesday 14 June 2023	Croft Full	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£249
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Croft Matt Neal – www.mattneal.co.uk One of my favourite circuits on the BTCC calendar. It’s our only trip to the North East side of the country and when we get there the circuit is a real challenge with the local fans always giving terrific warm support. Croft is very clean and picturesque, neatly cut lawns and a neat compact pit lane with all amenities close by. As a driver it requires a high level of commitment, so racing and finding an optimum balanced setup is key to a fast Read more
+	Wednesday 14 June 2023	Oulton Park International	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£319
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Oulton Park Jamie Stanley – www.jamiestanley.co.uk Oulton Park is the longest circuit in the UK, excluding Silverstone. It also has the steepest banked corner in the UK in the form of Shell Oils at 11 degrees. The circuit’s natural undulations and blind crests make this one of the most challenging circuits in Europe, both feared and revered by drivers on both two and four wheels. There is very little run off anywhere, so take your time – it is unlikely you will master the circuit on your first Read more
+	Friday 16 June 2023	Goodwood Circuit	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£699
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Goodwood Circuit Alan Whibley – Old Farts Member Probably my favourite circuit of all. Set in the lovely Sussex countryside and beautifully maintained. There’s well manicured grass all round and there lies problem number one – almost no run off anywhere. Put a boot on the grass and there is a tyre wall with solid earth banks waiting for you. The pleasant surroundings can give a give a feeling of relaxation, but it is deceptive and can catch out the unwary. There is plenty of cover in the pits to Read more
July 2023
+	Thursday 06 July 2023	Brands Hatch Indy	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£159
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Brands Hatch Paul Rivett – www.paulrivett.com Brands Hatch was once a dirt track motorcycle circuit on farmland, but is now one of the most thrilling circuits in the UK with races from grass track to DTM. Below is an expert guide to Brands Hatch by Paul Rivett, three-times Clio Cup Championship winner. The circuit begins on the Brabham Straight, an off-camber, slightly curved stretch. The ideal line is to hug the pit wall until the start/finish line and then move to the left of the circuit to Read more
+	Monday 10 July 2023	Brands Hatch Grand Prix	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£649
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Photography Brands Hatch Paul Rivett – www.paulrivett.com Brands Hatch was once a dirt track motorcycle circuit on farmland, but is now one of the most thrilling circuits in the UK with races from grass track to DTM. Below is an expert guide to Brands Hatch by Paul Rivett, three-times Clio Cup Championship winner. The circuit begins on the Brabham Straight, an off-camber, slightly curved stretch. The ideal line is to hug the pit wall until the start/finish line and then move to the left of the circuit to Read more
+	Wednesday 12 July 2023	Donington Park National	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£159
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Donington Park Paul Wilson – www.paul-wilson.net Vantage GT3 for a Leonard AMR in the VLN Nordschleife series Donington Park (with one N!) was the first permanent park circuit in England, opening in 1931. During the Second World War, the track was requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence and it took until 1971 before the track was purchased by local man Tom Wheatcroft and turned back into the track it is today. Below is an expert guide to Donington Park by Paul Wilson, Caterham R300 Champion, Read more
+	Thursday 13 July 2023	Snetterton 300	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£109
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Snetterton Ben Clucas – www.benclucas.co.uk Snetterton has three configurations, split up into the 100, 200 and 300. By far the most used circuit for almost all track days, test days and races is the 300, three-mile configuration, completed in 2011. It isn’t the easiest of the main UK circuits to get to, situated in Norfolk, with parts of the A11 still single carriageway if you are coming from the Midlands or South, although this road is currently under construction and may all be dual Read more
+	Monday 17 July 2023	Anglesey Coastal	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£184
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Anglesey David Walley – Porsche 997 GT3 www.davidwalley.com The newly tarmacked Anglesey circuit has some breathtaking views (even while driving). As you drift around Peel corner, the view of the Irish Sea is spectacular. The TV series 5th Gear used the circuit for “shoot outs”, which shows how demanding this circuit can be with Tiff Needell thrashing factory cars around. Needless to say, in Wales it’s normally wet, but there’s a surprising amount of grip. However, for a dry lap the Read more

Date

Circuit / Layout

Event Type

Cost

June 2023

Wednesday
07 June 2023

Thruxton
Full

Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.

£179

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Thruxton One of the longest and the fastest circuits in the UK at 2.356 miles, Thruxton is another old airbase which has been used for motorsport since 1950. Racing at Thruxton is limited, and track days are even rarer due to strict noise restrictions so the visit of British Touring Cars and the British Superbike Championship are the main points of the season at Thruxton. The surface at Thruxton is a tough one and is known for causing severe tyre wear. Graining occurs but it does give surprisingly Read more

Tuesday
13 June 2023

Donington Park
National

£249

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Donington Park Paul Wilson – www.paul-wilson.net Vantage GT3 for a Leonard AMR in the VLN Nordschleife series Donington Park (with one N!) was the first permanent park circuit in England, opening in 1931. During the Second World War, the track was requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence and it took until 1971 before the track was purchased by local man Tom Wheatcroft and turned back into the track it is today. Below is an expert guide to Donington Park by Paul Wilson, Caterham R300 Champion, Read more

Wednesday
14 June 2023

Croft
Full

£249

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Croft Matt Neal – www.mattneal.co.uk One of my favourite circuits on the BTCC calendar. It’s our only trip to the North East side of the country and when we get there the circuit is a real challenge with the local fans always giving terrific warm support. Croft is very clean and picturesque, neatly cut lawns and a neat compact pit lane with all amenities close by. As a driver it requires a high level of commitment, so racing and finding an optimum balanced setup is key to a fast Read more

Wednesday
14 June 2023

Oulton Park
International

£319

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Oulton Park Jamie Stanley – www.jamiestanley.co.uk Oulton Park is the longest circuit in the UK, excluding Silverstone. It also has the steepest banked corner in the UK in the form of Shell Oils at 11 degrees. The circuit’s natural undulations and blind crests make this one of the most challenging circuits in Europe, both feared and revered by drivers on both two and four wheels. There is very little run off anywhere, so take your time – it is unlikely you will master the circuit on your first Read more

Friday
16 June 2023

Goodwood Circuit

£699

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Goodwood Circuit Alan Whibley – Old Farts Member Probably my favourite circuit of all. Set in the lovely Sussex countryside and beautifully maintained. There’s well manicured grass all round and there lies problem number one – almost no run off anywhere. Put a boot on the grass and there is a tyre wall with solid earth banks waiting for you. The pleasant surroundings can give a give a feeling of relaxation, but it is deceptive and can catch out the unwary. There is plenty of cover in the pits to Read more

July 2023

Thursday
06 July 2023

Brands Hatch
Indy

£159

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Brands Hatch Paul Rivett – www.paulrivett.com Brands Hatch was once a dirt track motorcycle circuit on farmland, but is now one of the most thrilling circuits in the UK with races from grass track to DTM. Below is an expert guide to Brands Hatch by Paul Rivett, three-times Clio Cup Championship winner. The circuit begins on the Brabham Straight, an off-camber, slightly curved stretch. The ideal line is to hug the pit wall until the start/finish line and then move to the left of the circuit to Read more

Monday
10 July 2023

Brands Hatch
Grand Prix

£649

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Photography

Wednesday
12 July 2023

Donington Park
National

£159

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Thursday
13 July 2023

Snetterton
300

£109

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Snetterton Ben Clucas – www.benclucas.co.uk Snetterton has three configurations, split up into the 100, 200 and 300. By far the most used circuit for almost all track days, test days and races is the 300, three-mile configuration, completed in 2011. It isn’t the easiest of the main UK circuits to get to, situated in Norfolk, with parts of the A11 still single carriageway if you are coming from the Midlands or South, although this road is currently under construction and may all be dual Read more

Monday
17 July 2023

Anglesey
Coastal

£184

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Anglesey David Walley – Porsche 997 GT3 www.davidwalley.com The newly tarmacked Anglesey circuit has some breathtaking views (even while driving). As you drift around Peel corner, the view of the Irish Sea is spectacular. The TV series 5th Gear used the circuit for “shoot outs”, which shows how demanding this circuit can be with Tiff Needell thrashing factory cars around. Needless to say, in Wales it’s normally wet, but there’s a surprising amount of grip. However, for a dry lap the Read more

Sepang 12 Hours sets up exciting Intercontinental GT Challenge

Upcoming Track Days

Latest News

MotorsportDays.com Relaunch Website

Enduro KA walk through

Circuit du Var Luc

Sepang 12 Hours sets up exciting Intercontinental GT Challenge

Upcoming Track Days

Latest News

MotorsportDays.com Relaunch Website

Enduro KA walk through

Circuit du Var Luc

Are you track ready?