We are in the middle of the year and while some events are coming back, even though it’s without on site spectators, others are still analyzing how to adjust their calendars not only to the shorter time remaining in the season, but also to adapt to the conditions of the countries affected by the COVID-19, which is the reality of the three series that are under the GT World Challenge powered by AWS banner.
The GT World Challenge America is in some sort of a middle ground as it already had a competitive weekend at the Circuit of the Americas, entirely dominated by Racers Edge, but in the other side the situation regarding the Coronavirus sees no improvement in the United States, and despite the situation, competitions are returning and even considering the possibility of having a small number of spectators trackside. Add to it that GT World Challenge America also has to deal with clashes with other series and the need to bring competitors to the grid as the other classes have to compensate for the missing Pro Cup.
The best thing in GT World Challenge America’s scenario is that all rounds will be held in one country and foreign motorsport-related staff received the green flag to arrive and compete.
2020 GT World Challenge America calendar:
(Completed) Circuit of the Americas - 7th-8th March
Virginia - 11th-12th July
Sonoma - 8th-9th August
Road America - 29th-30th August
Watkins Glen - 19th-20th September
Indianapolis 8 Hour - 4th October
The GT World Challenge Europe was already in calendar adjustment mode for a long time, even to the point of switching more than one venue and even weekend formats to make sure the 10 events of the season are held. The European series is in good situation as Europe’s scenario is getting good enough to allow events with minimum staff involved and strict protocols.
2020 GT World Challenge Europe calendar:
Imola - 26th July - Endurance Cup
Misano - 7th-9th August - Sprint Cup
Nürburgring - 6th September - Endurance Cup
Magny-Cours - 11th-13th September - Sprint Cup
Zandvoort - 25th-27th September - Sprint Cup
Barcelona - 9th-11th October - Sprint Cup
24 Hours of Spa - 24th-25th October - Endurance Cup
Paul Ricard 1000 - 15th November - Endurance Cup
The GT World Challenge Asia situation needed some heavy adjusting to actually get a schedule announced and the job isn’t completely done. Initially only Yeongam was out, but then Buriram and Suzuka got axed, already during the COVID-19 crisis, though Autopolis and Fuji would secure the visit to Japan in the initial stages of the series. In the latest announcement, which came recently, Japan is totally off the schedule, mostly due to stricter protocols for incoming travelers, which left only Shanghai and Sepang confirmed.
The other noticeable change is that Shanghai is now totally focused in the Shanghai 888 endurance race, losing its sprint round to Sepang, which opens and closes the season. Even though a second Chinese race is on the cards, there’s not much detail into it, and whether or not this would be related to the possible replacement round to the IGTC’s Suzuka 10 Hours is also unknown.
2020 GT World Challenge Asia calendar:
Sepang - 12th-13th September
Shanghai 888 - 18th October
TBC in China - 31st October-1st November
Sepang - 5th-6th December
Ferrari and Mercedes continue contesting for the overall GT World Challenge title, but now they have the company of Lamborghini, which announced its intention to fight for the World title, but unlike its rivals, the Sant’Agata manufacturer still needs a team to compete in the American series, and should any team materialize a deal, it will be the debut of the Lamborghini Huracán GT Evo in North American SRO competition and it will be the first Lamborghini entry since the 2018 Pirelli World Challenge efforts from Dream Racing and DXDT Racing.
PHOTO: SRO/Gavin Baker
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