The GT dilemma in Asia

Since the announcement of the Blancpain GT Asian Cup made by the SRO during the 24 Hours of Spa, a question about which road the Asian GT squads would go: continue in GT Asia, embrace the new championship or even split commitments between them?

As GT4 racing doesn’t have exactly a solid terrain in the other side of the World, most of the Blancpain GT Asian Cup grid would probably rely on the existing GT3 teams in the continent now, but the major forces are expected to keep their loyalty to GT Asia next year, like FFF Racing Team by ACM, CRAFT-Bamboo Racing, Bentley Team Absolute and some other teams.

Motorsport Asia Ltd., organizers of GT Asia, are already moving forward to prepare things for the 2017 season, with the calendar expected to be released in the coming weeks and with the addition of an amateur class in order to boost the currently good grid numbers, formed by GT3 and GT Cup class cars.

According to Sportscar365, SRO boss Stéphane Ratel looked at multiple options in the continent and came to a conclusion that the best in the moment would be doing its own thing, but the lure of the Blancpain GT name has to compete against the traditional environment that GT Asia created, and with the two competitions not confirming dates for their events, another problem that comes in place would be possible clashes between them and the Asian Le Mans Series, as some GT3 teams participate in the GT class and split their calendar with the GT Asia at a certain point of the year.

With a lot of points to consider, the Blancpain GT Asian Cup has to show that the successful model in Europe can be adapted to the Asian market to attract top teams like they already do with the 12 Hours of Sepang, to eventually reach an agreement with GT Asia or stick to what they planned.

PHOTO: GT Asia