> BRDC British F3, Ginettas and VW Racing Cup also return
> Live streaming from every round once again confirmed
The British GT Championship will feature two new support series in 2020 when the revamped Clio Cup UK and all-new Porsche Sprint Challenge GB join selected domestic rounds.
They’ll appear on a packed regular roster featuring Ginetta’s GRDC, G40 Cup and GT5 Challenge championships, the VW Racing Cup and co-headliners, the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship.
What’s more, fans can once again watch British GT and its support series live and for free via streaming from all seven 2020 events.
Broadcasts will include Clio Cup UK, which in 2020 features a new fifth-generation, 1.3-litre turbocharged car built by Renault Sport Racing. The championship will also benefit from closer alignment with its Spanish and French counterparts, the latter of which joins Clio Cup UK at Brands Hatch.
Indeed, the seven-event UK championship includes two overseas trips plus five British GT rounds next year, the exceptions being Oulton Park and Spa-Francorchamps.
Meanwhile, the all-new Porsche Sprint Challenge GB will find a natural home on British GT’s support bill. The one-make sportscar championship features the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport ‘Competition’, an entry level version of the MR variant homologated for racing in British GT4 and around the world.
Three of the championship’s seven events appear on the British GT calendar, including its blue riband Silverstone 500 and Donington Park season finale where the inaugural Porsche Sprint Challenge GB champions will be crowned this time next season.
Renault Sport Racing Customer Racing Commercial Director Benoit Nogier: “2020 will mark an important new chapter for the spirit of Clio Cup competition. Our philosophy has always been to make competing in Clio Cup accessible and enjoyable for both amateur racing enthusiasts as well as career-minded drivers, and we believe New Clio Cup is the perfect car to achieve that. It’s an honour for the Clio Cup UK to join the best GT championship in the UK and all the manufacturers’ series held during the same weekends. The British GT meetings will be the perfect host for the Clio Cup UK and will give the opportunity to our drivers to progress in higher GT categories. The high quality organisation of these weekends will also offer our Clio Cup UK teams and drivers the optimal environment and great video production with live streaming.”
James MacNaughton, Motorsport Manager, Porsche Cars Great Britain: “Porsche Sprint Challenge GB is the result of a demand, from both within and outside of our community, for a championship that bridges the gap between club motorsport and Porsche Carrera Cup GB. The 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport is the perfect fit, capable of quick lap times and engaging to drive, but with the advantage of traction control and ABS for less experienced drivers. It’s also realistic for privateers to run the car themselves.”
Lauren Granville, British GT Championship Manager: “It’s testament to the British GT Championship’s status that two global manufacturers will become official support series partners in 2020. With Clio Cup UK we have one of the country’s longest-running tin-top championships and a series that always produces wheel-to-wheel racing, while the new Porsche Sprint Challenge GB adds an additional and exciting GT stepping stone for amateur and professional drivers who might aspire to one day contest multi-class GT championships. Racing on the British GT support package also ensures both will benefit from dedicated free live streaming.
“Add to that mix the country’s biggest single-seater category – BRDC British F3 – plus the action-packed Ginettas and VW Racing Cup, and British GT’s package really does have something for everyone. It was time for a shake up and that’s exactly what we’ll get in 2020!”
British GT’s season finale takes place at Donington Park this weekend (September 14/15). Watch coverage of the championship’s 300th race live on BritishGT.com/live from 12:40 BST on Sunday.
British GT events featuring Clio Cup UK
May 16/17 – Snetterton
June 6/7 – Silverstone
June 20/21 – Donington Park GP
August 29/30 – Brands Hatch GP
September 19/20 – Donington Park GP
British GT events featuring Porsche Sprint Challenge GB
June 6/7 – Silverstone
June 20/21 – Donington Park GP
September 19/20 – Donington Park GP
BRDC British F3 will co-headline at all seven events, while VW Racing Cup and Ginettas feature at British GT’s six UK rounds.