The countdown to the first round of the Competition102 GT4 European Series has started. As part of the SRO Motorsports Group, the European championship for GT4 vehicles confirms new competitors joining the series and strengthening the already great variety of registered field of cars. At least 23 entries should take part in the opening round at Monza during the weekend of 22-24 April.
The proved format of PRO / AM, AM and AM / AM drivers is confirmed for the 2016 season, providing an accessible entry level for competitors. The series already confirmed its title sponsor Competition102, official tyre supplier Pirelli, lubricant sponsor Ravenol and the six-round calendar including four Formula 1 race tracks and two historic circuits. For the first time teams and drivers will challenge the street course in Pau and compete in two endurance races at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps.
The Competition102 GT4 European Series joins the British GT Championship during the three-hour race in the UK and the two-hour race in Belgium. As the grids for the endurance races are expected to be full, early entrants are secured of a spot during all rounds.
Last year’s champion and Dutch-based V8-Racing will again enter two Chevrolets Camaro GT4 to defend their titles, but will also face tough competition from their home country as Racing Team Holland by Ekris Motorsport enters two thoroughly developed Ekris M4 GT4 vehicles.
Reiter Engineering has launched a unique programme called ‘Reiter Young Stars’ providing talented drivers and engineers a playground to develop themselves. Both the female and male champion of this programme receive a GT3 seat in the 2017 Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup.
“They should be introduced to GT racing and have more opportunities to use their skills than merely optimizing tyre pressures,” emphasised Hans Reiter, team principal of Reiter Engineering.
The renowned firm has chosen to field eight KTMs X-BOW GT4 in the series, a successful vehicle that has been developed in cooperation with KTM Sportcar GmbH. It took the honours of securing the AM drivers’ title in 2015 and was runner-up in the teams’ classification. All drivers will challenge competitors in the overall standings this season.
