2017 Blancpain GT calendar finalized as Zolder joins the list

There were still some doubts in the first release of the 2017 Blancpain GT Series calendar, but now everything was solved and most of what was previously announced will stay in place, with all 2016 venues returning but one.

The initial doubt was about a potential replacement of Hungaroring by the Red Bull Ring in the Sprint Cup, which in fact didn’t materialize. What caught everybody in surprise was an unexpected return of Zolder to the Sprint Cup calendar with Zandvoort leaving the championship. Zolder has some tradition as a venue for SRO’s sprint races, being the venue for 2013 FIA GT Series round as well for the Blancpain Sprint rounds in 2014 and 2015, and the last one being in the year when Zandvoort joined the calendar as a replacement for the Baku World Challenge.

Outside these changes, the remaining events remain as planned, with Italy being the start point for both the Sprint and Endurance Cups at Misano and then Monza. Then the trip is around the United Kingdom, with a sprint round at Brands Hatch and the endurance round at Silverstone.

June starts with the Sprint round at Zolder and ends with the Paul Ricard 1000 km, which normally serves as a preparation race for the 24 Hours of Spa, in July. Hungaroring and Nürburgring close the Sprint Cup season and Barcelona now is the Endurance Cup season finale, as well for the Blancpain GT Series.

Here is the complete calendar:

April 1^st-2^nd – Misano (S)

April 23^rd – Monza (E)

May 6^th-7^th – Brands Hatch (S)

May 14^th – Silverstone (E)

June 3^rd-4^th – Zolder (S)

June 24^th – Paul Ricard (E)

July 29^th-30 – 24 Hours of Spa (E)

August 26^th-27^th – Hungaroring (S)

September 16^th-17^th – Nürburgring (S)

October 1^st – Barcelona (E)

S –Sprint Cup/E – Endurance Cup

PHOTO: Blancpain GT Series