Title fight continues as GT4 European Series returns to Budapest

30th August 2018

The GT4 European Series is back on track this week (August 31-September 2) following the summer break and returns to Hungary for its second visit ever to the Hungaroring. The title race is heating up heading into this weekend’s race at the 4.381 km circuit just outside Budapest. 45 cars have been entered for the fifth round of the 2018 season.

SILVER CUP: TITLE RACE HEATING UP

Championship-leading HHC Motorsport drivers Stuart Middleton and Will Tregurtha have an 18-point lead over Phoenix Racing’s Milan Dontje and Nicolaj Møller Madsen. The #5 Phoenix Racing Audi scored three wins, but a non-finish in the second race at Spa and a second place for the Ginetta have handed Middleton and Tregurtha the lead with four races still to come.

MDM Motorsport’s drivers Simon Knap and Max Koebolt (BMW) are still in contention for the title, trailing the Phoenix Racing duo by just nine points, while Pierre-Alexandre Jean and Stéphane Tribaudini’s successful Spa weekend means they can’t be ruled out either. At the Hungaroring the CMR drivers will be back behind the wheel of the Alpine A110 GT4.

The battle for fifth in the Silver Cup continues at the Hungaroring with the #10 Equipe Verschuur McLaren 570S GT4 of Ricardo van der Ende and Finlay Hutchison leading the #111 RN Vision STS BMW M4 GT4 of Gabriele Piana and Razvan Umbrarescu by seven points. Also still in contention are Nico Rindlisbacher and Paul Rees (#87 Team GT McLaren), Reinhard Kofler (#22 True Racing KTM) and Marcus Paverud and Ivan Pareras (#2 Leipert Motorsport Mercedes).

The Silver Cup entry is completed by Lecher Racing, Borusan Otomotiv Motorsport, Felbermayr-Reiter and 3Y Technology and second cars from MDM Motorsport, True Racing and RN Vision STS.

PRO-AM: EXPERIENCED DRIVERS JOIN THE SERIES IN HUNGARY

Pro-Am points-leaders Marc Basseng and Phillip Bethke will share the wheel of the #13 Schwede Motorsport Porsche Cayman GT4 CS MR again, while title rivals Csaba Mór and Patrick Zamparini have changed team in an attempt to close the 17-point gap.

The Hungarian and his Italian teammate have opted to race the #31 Selleslagh Racing Team Mercedes-AMG GT4 this weekend, instead of the Racing One Audi R8 LMS GT4 that was used in the first four rounds of the season. As a result, Racing One has reshuffled its line-up with Dutchman Jules Szymkowiak joining Markus Lungstrass in the #77 Audi and Portuguese driver Francisco Guedes joining Hamza Owega in the #16 Audi.

Spa race winners Bullitt Racing will also have a revised driver lineup in Hungary. Reigning British GT champion Seb Morris will race with Stephen Pattrick, standing in for Andy Meyrick who is still recovering from an accident at the Total 24 Hours of Spa.

South African Jordan Grogor pairs up with Wolf Nathan in the #18 V8 Racing Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R, while Henri Kauppi will join Jan Kasperlik in the #43 Allied-Racing Porsche Cayman GT4 CS MR. The Finn made his series debut at the Nürburgring season finale in 2017.

Other series returnees this weekend are Wolfgang Risch and Sascha Halek in an HP Racing-entered Mercedes-AMG GT4 and Micah Stanley and Alain Valente in a Team GT McLaren 570S GT4, one of three cars entered by the German squad this weekend.

Phoenix Racing will run two Audi’s in the Pro-Am class, with BMW being represented by 3Y Technology, W&D Racing Team, RN Vision STS and, for the second time this season, Lestrup Racing Team. Other entrants are the two Aston Martin Vantage GT4s of Street Art Racing and Academy Motorsport, as well as the second entries of V8 Racing and Schwede Motorsport.

AM: AM CUP TITLE COULD BE DECIDED THIS WEEKEND

Swiss driver Niki Leutwiler can seal the Am class title in Hungary. The Porsche Zentrum Oberer Zürichsee by TFT Racing driver has a 40-point lead with 100 points still to play for in the remaining four races. Alessandro Giovanelli and Giuseppe Ghezzi (#76 Autorlando Sport Porsche) know they will have to finish ahead of Leutwiler to prevent him from securing the title during the penultimate round of the season.

The Italian drivers will face strong competition during the fifth race weekend of the season. CMR’s David Loger and Eric Mouez return with their new Alpine A110 GT4, while Sylvain Debs and Gwenael Delomier (3Y Technology BMW) will defend their third place in the standings.

A pair of Selleslagh Racing Team Mercedes-AMG GT4s, McLaren 570S GT4s entered by Las Moras Racing Team by Equipe Verschuur and Team GT, the #42 Allied-Racing Porsche Cayman GT4 CS MR and the second Autorlando Sport Porsche 911 GT4 will complete the Am category at the Hungaroring.

BUDAPEST TIMETABLE

Friday, August 31st
10:00 – 11:00 Free Practice 1
13:15 – 14:15 Free Practice 2
16:55 – 17:45 Qualifying (20’/10’/20)

Saturday, September 1st
12:20 – 13:20 Race 1

Sunday, September 2nd
11:15 – 12:15 Race 2

Contact

Marcel ten Caat
Press Officer
marcel@sro-motorsports.com

Max Braams
Series Manager
max@sro-motorsports.com
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Facebook : GT4 European Series
Instagram : gt4europeanseries #gt4series
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SRO Motorsports Group – The architect of modern GT Racing

Over the past 25 years SRO has specialised in the promotion and organisation of motorsport series around the world.

Inextricably linked with GT racing’s revival in the early 1990’s, currently SRO predominantly promotes series that adhere to the successful GT3 and GT4 regulations. Indeed, these rules – a common framework allowing manufacturers, teams and drivers to compete equally with one another – have helped to establish SRO as the global leader in customer GT racing.

Today, SRO’s influence and organisation can be seen around the world. Its flagship continues to be the European-basedBlancpain GT Series, which features both the Sprint and Endurance Cups. Its annual highlight remains the iconic Total 24 Hours of Spa.

The same Pirelli tyres and Balance of Performance parameters governing the Blancpain GT Series have also been adopted in the United States by the Pirelli World Challenge (of which SRO is a shareholder), while SRO expanded its successful platform East in 2017 by establishing the Blancpain GT Series Asia.

In addition, the world’s best GT races from all four corners of the globe are brought together under the Intercontinental GT Challenge. The 2018 edition features four events – the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour, the Total 24 Hours of Spa, the inauguralSuzuka 10 Hours, and the California 8 Hours of Laguna Seca.

SRO is also strong domestically. The multi-class British GT Championship, over which it has presided since 2005, pairs GT3 with GT4 machinery. The FFSA French GT Championship, for many years run by SRO, returned to the fold in 2017, and was added to the existing GT4 European Series. GT4’s incredibly successful first season in France provided SRO with the blueprint and confidence to expand the class’ European footprint further. Three new regional series to support the flourishing GT4 class are added in 2018: GT4 Nordic European Cup, GT4 Central European Cup and GT4 Belgium Cup.

In addition, SRO’s world-renowned Balance of Performance regulations are licensed by other series running GT3 and/or GT4 machinery, such as Super GT in Japan, the Australian GT Championship, the ADAC GT Masters and the VLN in Germany and the China GT Championship. SRO works also closely with the FIA when organising its prestigious Macau FIA GT World Cup race.

While Macau caters solely for professional teams and drivers, SRO also understands the important role amateurs play in GT racing’s global success and sustainability. That is why it operates the SRO Race Centre by MMC – a high-level technical centre at Circuit Paul Ricard in southern France – and Curbstone Track Events, which provide the ultimate track driving opportunities on world-renowned circuits. Many of its clients have subsequently graduated to the Blancpain GT Sports Club, the first competitive stepping stone towards gaining the confidence and racecraft required to compete in a Pro/Am environment.

SRO Motorsports Group is chaired by company founder and CEO Stephane Ratel and has offices in London, Paris, Liège and Hong Kong. Its dedicated team of full-time and freelance staff work with the support of numerous national sporting authorities and sanctioning bodies to offer teams, drivers and manufacturers the world’s best professional, Pro/Am and amateur GT racing platforms.

	Date	Circuit / Layout	Event Type	Cost
September 2023
+	Tuesday 26 September 2023	Spa Francorchamps 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 Belgium Skill level - Requirements Notes: Photography Spa Francorchamps There are 2 pitlanes in use currently, the GP pits (detailed in the map above) & the endurance pits (entry after the GP exit, and exit onto the start of Kemmel). A lap starting from the GP exit goes down towards Eau Rouge and Raidillon. The trick is to go as close to the wall as you can, and stay there. Then, you cross to the left, over the big patch of curbstone. You straighten the wheel again and brake as you see fit. After the braking, and when you’ve started the climb of Raidillon, Read more
+	Friday 29 September 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
October 2023
+	Monday 09 October 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
+	Tuesday 10 October 2023	Donington Park 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 Notes: Photography 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
+	Friday 13 October 2023	Cadwell Park 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.	£149
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Cadwell Park Jamie Stanley – www.jamiestanley.co.uk Cadwell is just off the A153 between Louth & Horncastle. From the south, leave the A1 at Grantham and take the A153 all the way to the track. From the north, take the A18/A16 to Louth, then the circuit is 7 miles south on the A153. Coppice is a very fast corner but be really smooth with the turn in and allow the car room on the exit of the corner. Following the first corner, bring the car back to the left, light brake and then turn the car in Read more
+	Thursday 26 October 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.	£239
	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
November 2023
+	Tuesday 07 November 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.	£199
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Notes: Photography 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 13 November 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.	£149
	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 16 November 2023	Cadwell Park	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.	£175
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Notes: Photography Cadwell Park Jamie Stanley – www.jamiestanley.co.uk Cadwell is just off the A153 between Louth & Horncastle. From the south, leave the A1 at Grantham and take the A153 all the way to the track. From the north, take the A18/A16 to Louth, then the circuit is 7 miles south on the A153. Coppice is a very fast corner but be really smooth with the turn in and allow the car room on the exit of the corner. Following the first corner, bring the car back to the left, light brake and then turn the car in Read more
+	Friday 17 November 2023	Donington Park 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.	£199
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Notes: Photography 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

Date

Circuit / Layout

Event Type

Cost

September 2023

Tuesday
26 September 2023

Spa Francorchamps
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 Belgium
Skill level -
Requirements

Notes: Photography

Spa Francorchamps There are 2 pitlanes in use currently, the GP pits (detailed in the map above) & the endurance pits (entry after the GP exit, and exit onto the start of Kemmel). A lap starting from the GP exit goes down towards Eau Rouge and Raidillon. The trick is to go as close to the wall as you can, and stay there. Then, you cross to the left, over the big patch of curbstone. You straighten the wheel again and brake as you see fit. After the braking, and when you’ve started the climb of Raidillon, Read more

Friday
29 September 2023

Thruxton
Full

£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

October 2023

Monday
09 October 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

Tuesday
10 October 2023

Donington Park
Grand Prix

£649

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements

Notes: Photography

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

Friday
13 October 2023

Cadwell Park
Full

£149

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

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Cadwell Park Jamie Stanley – www.jamiestanley.co.uk Cadwell is just off the A153 between Louth & Horncastle. From the south, leave the A1 at Grantham and take the A153 all the way to the track. From the north, take the A18/A16 to Louth, then the circuit is 7 miles south on the A153. Coppice is a very fast corner but be really smooth with the turn in and allow the car room on the exit of the corner. Following the first corner, bring the car back to the left, light brake and then turn the car in Read more

Thursday
26 October 2023

Brands Hatch
Indy

£239

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

November 2023

Tuesday
07 November 2023

Snetterton
300

£199

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements

Notes: Photography

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
13 November 2023

Donington Park
National

£149

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

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Thursday
16 November 2023

Cadwell Park

£175

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements

Notes: Photography

Friday
17 November 2023

Donington Park
Grand Prix

£199

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements

Notes: Photography

Title fight continues as GT4 European Series returns to Budapest

Upcoming Track Days

Latest News

MotorsportDays.com Relaunch Website

Enduro KA walk through

Circuit du Var Luc

Title fight continues as GT4 European Series returns to Budapest

Upcoming Track Days

Latest News

MotorsportDays.com Relaunch Website

Enduro KA walk through

Circuit du Var Luc

Are you track ready?