Group GT3 , known technically as Cup Grand Touring Cars and commonly referred to as simply GT3 , is a set of regulations maintained by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) for grand tourer racing cars designed for use in various auto racing series throughout the world. The GT3 category was initially created in 2005 by the SRO Motorsports Group as a third rung in the ladder of grand touring motorsport, below the Group GT1 and Group GT2 categories which were utilized in the SRO's FIA GT Championship , and launched its own series in 2006 called the FIA GT3 European Championship . Since then, Group GT3 has expanded to become the de facto category for many national and international grand touring series, although some series modify the ruleset from the FIA standard. By 2013, nearly 20 automobile manufacturers have built or been represented with GT3 machines.
57-593: The Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie ( NLS ) is an organisation of motorsport clubs of which each hosts one event of a nine(8 in 2024)-race series held on the Nürburgring Nordschleife . Participants of NLS races range from amateurs in small road legal cars with rollcages and harnesses to professional factory teams racing Group GT3 cars. The NLS series is closely associated with the Nürburgring 24 Hours , as it has similar rules (mostly), and mainly
114-695: A 24 Hours Nürburgring victory in 2012. Group GT3 also expanded to the United States with the Rolex Sports Car Series allowing several GT3 cars with specification wings, as well as the Japanese Super GT and Super Taikyu Series , while Nissan became the first Japanese manufacturer to sell a GT3 car. GT3 category cars also replaced Group GT1 cars in the FIA GT1 World Championship before rebranding as
171-839: A TCR-only class in 2018. Unlike the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge Series in the United States, which also is TCR-based for two or four hour races, the World Challenge races are shorter (no more than 50 minutes for a typical event) and are single-driver races. With the separation of classes from the Pirelli World Challenge, WC Vision and the SRO Motorsport Group created the TC America Series , for cars that previously competed in
228-751: A category specifically for the FIA's new Group GT3 machines. The SRO Group expanded the category in 2007 with the launch of two new regional championships, the Brazilian GT Championship and the German ADAC GT Masters , exclusively running Group GT3 cars. The British GT Championship abandoned Group GT2 cars, promoting GT3 to their premiere category, while the Belcar series reorganized their class structure to introduce GT3 as their lead class. The French FFSA GT Championship also added
285-585: A class for TCR vehicles. Since 2017, the organizers of the NLS , formerly VLN, created a separate class for TCR cars. Previously TCR entrants entered the SP3 class. Since 2017 Britcar Endurance, a UK based Endurance Championship running as the Dunlop Endurance Championship have accepted TCR Cars. The current specification Cars run in class 4 and are highly competitive with TCR Cars finishing on
342-606: A distinct class in each of the following series: Bold indicates an active series that currently uses Group GT3 cars. Additionally, the following series allow certain Group GT3 cars to participate alongside other competitors: TCR Touring Car A TCR Touring Car is a touring car specification, first introduced in 2014 and is now employed by a multitude of series worldwide. All TCR Touring Cars are front-wheel drive cars based on 4 or 5 door production vehicles, and are powered by 1.75 to 2.0 litre turbocharged engines. While
399-417: A level playing field through strict control of their performance by the FIA. This would allow drivers a bridge between smaller national series and the professional international FIA GT Championship. Further, the category was conceived to use sprint formats for races, but manufacturers could develop and sell an upgrade kit for their cars to allow GT3 cars to be used in endurance races . A similar category, under
456-550: A minimum production number required for GT3 race cars would be enforced. Ten units must be made within twelve months as from the homologation date, twenty units must be made within twenty-four months and so on. Following dwindling manufacturer support for their Class One regulations , the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) series switched to the GT3 formula in 2021, abandoning its touring car origins. In 2022,
513-615: A new GT3 category. The Australian GT Championship brought on board the GT3 category in 2008 while the VLN Series and 24 Hours Nürburgring added GT3 categories in 2009. By 2011 Group GT3 was expanding into endurance racing with the formation of the Blancpain Endurance Series as well as winning overall at the Bathurst 12 Hour , Dubai 24 Hour , Malaysia Merdeka Endurance Race , and Spa 24 Hours , followed by
570-475: A period of seven years unless a request for extension is made by the manufacturer. Currently, all homologations prior to GT3-025 have expired and not been renewed, although these expired cars are allowed to compete in national series under local approval (such as SCCA Trans-Am Series XGT classes) or in historic events such as Le Mans Classic . Group GT3 cars can be built either directly by the automotive manufacturer or built by racing teams and tuning companies at
627-561: A safety car on shorter tracks, limit the speed to 60 km/h. It is common for course cars and vehicle recovery trucks to travel around the course under local double yellow flags. Closing speeds between the fastest and slowest car classes is a common concern, as the track has many blind crests and corners. Four drivers have died in accidents in the NLS, Wolfgang Offermann in 1986, Wolfgang Scholz in 1998, Carola Biehler in 2000 and Leo Löwenstein in 2010. Two drivers have died of heart attacks at
SECTION 10
#1732786821519684-475: A single manufacturer from becoming dominant in the class. The cars in GT3 are designed to have a weight between 1200 kg and 1300 kg (2645 lbs and 2866 lbs) with horsepower between 500 hp and 600 hp. All cars have a very similar power to weight ratio but achieved either by high power and high weight such as the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG or low power and low weight such as
741-574: A wide variety of car types to be homologated with almost no limit on engine sizes and configurations or chassis construction or layout. GT3 cars must be based on mass production road car models that are being built and sold at the time of homologation. Performance of all the Group GT3 cars are regulated, either by the GT Bureau of the FIA or by a series' specific ruling body, through the balance of performance formulae that adjusts limits on horsepower, weight, engine management, and aerodynamics to prevent
798-533: Is at 07:30, qualifying is from 08:30 to 10:00. Following a warm-up lap behind safety cars, the first of three groups starts the race at 12:00, followed by the other two a few minutes later, in time before the fastest cars complete their first lap in just over 8 minutes. After parc fermé is opened and the winners are honoured, the teams can travel home on race day. At some events, the schedule also accommodates additional sprint races of visiting other series, mainly classic cars and youngtimers. The "Nürburgring 6 Hours"
855-471: Is awarded on the basis of a points system that gives points to all the different TCR-certified cars competing in all the TCR-sanctioned races of the year. The points are adjusted by coefficients that take into account the level of the competition, the number of cars participating and the number of manufacturers represented. On 6 December 2017, FIA's World Motorsport Council announced the creation of
912-630: Is confirmed as a category of the Chinese Touring Car Championship in 2016. The series was officially launched in December 2016, ahead of a five-round 2017 championship season, with the slight name change from Chinese to China . On 6 April 2017, initial discussion about a TCR UK Series started between WSC and MSA. The series was given the go-ahead by the MSA on 7 July 2017, the series promoter will be BRSCC . The promoter
969-561: Is considered the season highlight – in 1998, even Sir Jack Brabham took part, at age 72. Here, 2 to 4 drivers per cars are entered, while in all others races, a single driver can drive all alone for 4 hours, or up to 3 can form a team. There are two other standout races – the NLS-6 "Barbarossapreis", in which Michael Schumacher 's success with Scuderia Ferrari in Formula One is honoured with all podium placegetters receiving red wigs; and
1026-666: Is expecting about six or seven events for 2018, also confirming that there will be no grid limit. The 2018 seven round calendar was confirmed on 13 September 2017, with the series starting at the Silverstone Circuit , before going on the visit, Knockhill , Brands Hatch , Castle Combe , Oulton Park , Croft and Donington Park . In 2019 TCR UK Touring Car Championship merged with the Stewart Lines organized Touring Car Trophy with TCR UK as its subcategory. On 30 November 2017, WSC Asia and J's Consulting announced
1083-778: The Campionato Italiano Turismo Endurance , also competing for the general classification of the championship. On 12 September 2015, the TCR Italian Series was relaunched as a stand-alone category for 2016. In December 2014 the Royal Automobile Club of Belgium (RACB) and Kronos Events announced the formation of the TCR Benelux Touring Car Championship. The inaugural season is set for 2016 with one-off event planned for 15 October 2015 at
1140-680: The Circuit Jules Tacheny Mettet . The schedule consists of seven rounds in the Benelux region, across Belgium , Netherlands and Luxembourg . Each round includes five races: a 60 minutes endurance race, with mandatory pit stop, and four 20 minutes sprint races. The starting grid for the endurance race is established by a popular vote via Facebook , through the Making the Grid application (later changed to aggregate score from
1197-606: The FIA GT Series in 2013. After NASCAR merged their Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series with IMSA's American Le Mans Series, the new United SportsCar Championship allowed more types of GT3 cars to join the GTD category, and in 2016 limited the category to only GT3 spec machines. On 9 March 2018, it was announced that the FIA World Motor Sport Council approved the introduction of a new process, in which
SECTION 20
#17327868215191254-627: The Porsche 911 GT3 . GT3 cars also have traction control , ABS , and built-in air jacks for quick pit stops . The concept behind Group GT3 was introduced by Stéphane Ratel, head of the SRO Group and promoter of the FIA GT Championship in 2005. The Group GT1 and Group GT2 cars in the FIA GT Championship required manufacturers to build a car based on regulations, and then develop that car to increase its performance, thus increasing
1311-541: The ADAC TCR Germany promoters which will see all 7 rounds of the 2019 ADAC TCR Germany Touring Car Championship part of the 2019 TCR Swiss Trophy calendar. On 23 April 2019 it was announced by Auto Sport Switzerland that the TCR Swiss Trophy will be postponed until 2020 due to lack of entries. On 23 September 2015 ADAC Nordrhein and WSC Ltd. announced that the 2016 Nürburgring 24h Race will feature
1368-625: The FIA confirmed that the GTE cars in the FIA World Endurance Championship would be replaced by GT3 cars, racing in the LMGT3 class. This means GT3 cars will be able to participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 2024 onward. As of April 2024 , 58 vehicles have gone through the homologation process with the FIA, although some of these homologations failed to be completed or were later revoked. Homologations expire after
1425-559: The International Series. The new category will run in the same events as ADAC GT Masters and ADAC Formula 4 as well as Deutscher Tourenwagen Cup (formerly ADAC Procar). On 15 February 2016, the Campeonato de España de Resistencia confirmed that they would introduce a TCR class in their championship. The championship calendar included five race weekends held across Spain. On 15 November 2016, WSC announced that
1482-481: The Junior or Ladies trophy follow the same format as the drivers championship, while each class has its own individual drivers and teams championship. Last updated 8 October 2023, listing drivers with 10+ victories only. Last updated 8 October 2023, listing top 10 drivers and maunfacturers only. Last updated 8 October 2023, listing top 10 drivers and maunfacturers only. Group GT3 Group GT3 allows for
1539-707: The NLS-9 "Münsterlandpokal" or "Schinkenrennen" (ham race), where large pieces of ham from the Münsterland area are presented to class winners. Most of the fans watch the race on the Nordschleife. To get to the favourite viewing points it is often necessary to take a walk. Several sections, including "Adenauer Forst", "Karussell", and "Wippermann", are up to a kilometre away from the nearest main road. Easy to reach and always well attended are sections such as "Breidscheid", "Brünnchen", and "Pflanzgarten". Around most of
1596-560: The Nordschleife no entrance fee is raised. A ticket for the price of €20 is needed for access to the paddock and grid walk, the grandstands on the Grand Prix circuit of the Nürburgring, and two spectator areas at the Nordschleife. A variety of cars compete at the same time during each race. In the 2023 season, cars in 22 classes competed in at least one race. Most of them can be classified in the following groups: A large portion of
1653-604: The TCR Ibérico Series was disbanded. It was later reinstated as two-event season with events from the Portuguese and European Series. On 20 December 2018 it was announced that the series would be re-launched as standalone series. On 23 July 2016, the organizers of the 1000 kilometrų lenktynės held on the Lithuanian Palanga circuit confirmed that they would add a TCR class to the event. With
1710-638: The TCR regulations under the name of WTCR for usage in the World Touring Car Cup. The specification is identical, however it is frozen until the end of 2019, and cars are required to obtain an FIA passport after going through TCR homologation. Since 2017, TCR organisers World Sporting Consulting (WSC) have awarded the TCR Model of the Year award for the most successful TCR car across a year. The title
1767-542: The ambition of establishing a proper championship beyond 2017, racing in the Baltic countries and Poland. The TCR Baltic Trophy was then introduced as part of the Baltic Touring Car Championship with TCR cars also participating in the supporting NEZ 6H Endurance Championship. On 12 January 2015, Marcello Lotti announced also a Chinese series planned for 2016. As for December 2015, a TCR class
Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie - Misplaced Pages Continue
1824-631: The behest of the manufacturer. Other vehicles have been allowed to run alongside Group GT3 cars in various series under homologations from national ruling bodies, including the Mosler MT900R GT3 , Ginetta G55 GT3 , Chevron GR8 GT3 , Radical RXC GT3 , Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus SCG 003C , Emil Frey Jaguar XKR G3 , Acura TLX-GT , Renault Sport R.S. 01 GT3 , Aston Martin Vulcan AMR Pro and Chevrolet Corvette C8.R GTD . Since 2006, Group GT3 cars have been either exclusive to or in
1881-416: The bodyshell and suspension layout of the production vehicle is retained in a TCR car, and many models use a production gearbox, certain accommodations are made for the stresses of the racetrack including upgraded brakes and aerodynamics. Competition vehicles are subject to balance of performance (BoP) adjustments to ensure close racing between different vehicles. The project to develop the TCR specification
1938-544: The calendars for 24H Series, Touring Car Endurance Series (renamed 24H TCE Series) and 24H Proto Series were unified and touring cars were only eligible to enter and score points in the 24H TCE Series championship. TCR touring cars are used as part of the Touring Car Cup of the FIA Motorsport Games. On 31 January 2015, Automobile Club d'Italia announced the TCR category as the third division of
1995-401: The championship is unclear, with the series' current right holders involved in a legal battle with Nürburgring owners over race dates for 2024, and plans for a rival Nürburgring-based series currently under way. The series was formerly known as VLN (German: Veranstaltergemeinschaft Langstreckenpokal Nürburgring , Association of Nürburgring Endurance Cup Organisers) until 2020. The series
2052-625: The class podium every time they have raced. TCR cars are eligible to compete in the Super Taikyu Series starting from the 2017 season. TCR cars are eligible to compete in the Benelux-based Supercar Challenge , running in the Supersport 1 category with the cars being highly competitive. The Pirelli World Challenge allowed TCR-based cars in their TC class for the 2017 season, and will introduce
2109-626: The cost for the manufacturers and the customers wanting to race the cars. GT3 was envisioned as a category that would simplify the process by combining several existing cars from one-make series , such as the Porsche Supercup or Ferrari Challenge , as well as other race cars available from manufacturers that did not fit in GT1 or GT2, such as the Aston Martin DBRS9 or Dodge Viper Competition Coupe , and allow them to all compete on
2166-859: The creation of the TCR Korea Series. The series will host a test day in June 2018 before beginning the season in July 2018, the series will conclude in October 2018. The TCR South America Series debuted in 2021, with races held in Argentina , Brazil and Uruguay . In 2018, Auto Sport Switzerland will organize the TCR Swiss Trophy. The inaugural season consisted of five rounds, held together with TCR Europe (Zandvoort, Assen and Monza), TCR Italy (Imola), and ADAC TCR Germany (Red Bull Ring). On 20 December 2018 Auto Sport Switzerland entered into agreement with
2223-788: The creation of the TCR Middle East Series. The series will be officially launched on 2 December 2016 at the Bahrain International Circuit , where a media and test day will be held. The series will visit the Dubai Autodrome , Yas Marina Circuit and the Bahrain International Circuit . On 9 June 2016, the Scandinavian Touring Car Championship confirmed that they would switch to the TCR regulations for 2017 after racing with Silhouette cars since 2013. In 2017
2280-665: The driver) Minimum overall length: 4.2 metres Maximum overall width: 1.95 metres Engine: Turbo-charged petrol or diesel up to 2 litre Torque: 420 N⋅m (310 lb⋅ft) Power: 355 PS Lubrication: Wet sump Exhaust: Homologated catalytic converter using production parts Traction: On two wheels Gearbox: Production or TCR International Series sequential; production paddle shift accepted Front Suspension: Production lay-out; parts free design Rear Suspension: Original design of production car with reinforced components Brakes: Wheels: Maximum dimensions of rim: 10″ x 18″ Aerodynamics: The FIA licensed
2337-590: The endurance race was determined by a qualifying session instead. All races were held alongside Clio Cup Benelux, but with standalone classifications for both. At the end of the season Kronos Events withdrew their support for the series. Later it was announced that the series will support the TCR Europe Series bill at five of the seven rounds. On 16 September 2015, the German Series was launched by ADAC and Engstler Motorsport , who already run in
Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie - Misplaced Pages Continue
2394-468: The field is made of TCR and Cup classes (BMW M240i, BMW M2 CS , Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport) that do not fit in specific groups. Due to the length of the track and championship's format, the NLS has unusual safety procedures compared to other modern professional racing series. Safety cars are not used, double yellow flags indicate a local speed limit of 120 km/h, and code 60 flags, used locally for conditions warranting
2451-726: The former Veedol Langstreckenpokal Nürburgring was the BFGoodrich Langstreckenmeisterschaft Nürburgring . The championship was renamed the NLS in 2020, however the name of the VLN organisation stays the same. Apart from the 24 Hours, the Rundstrecken Challenge Nürburgring (RCN/CHC) and GLP are related smaller events dedicated to non-professionals. Each NLS race is held as a "one-day event" on Saturdays only, in order to limit costs. The mandatory drivers briefing
2508-521: The last four drivers championships were won by entries in the slower production cars group, while drivers piloting entry level hatchbacks such as the Renault Clio , Opel Corsa or Suzuki Swift have won the championship in the past. There is however an overall teams' championship, named NLS Speed-Trophy, based on overall results only, meaning that it is contested by the faster SP9 ( GT3 ), or Cup 2 ( Porsche 992 GT3 ) classes. Other trophies such as
2565-641: The long waited FIA World Touring Car Cup. The new series has been officially confirmed after a deal was reached to bring the World Touring Car Championship, the TCR International Series and the European Touring Car Cup together. TCR Asia Series was announced on 14 August 2014 by the organisation behind the TCR series under the name TC3 Asia Series - later changed to TCR Asia Series along with
2622-569: The other announced series. David Sonenscher , boss of the company Motorsport Asia , will be maintaining the series. He has previously run the Asian Touring Car Series and the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia . Initially seven races were planned for 2015 , but later were reduced to 5 and the final calendar was with 4. The Singapore and Thailand rounds were run together with the TCR International Series, while
2679-437: The races were made part of a series. The winners of the series were awarded a Cup (German Pokal ), sponsored by Valvoline and later Veedol lubrication products. Due to this, both organisation and races were simply informally called "Veedol-Cup" for many years. Since the change of sponsorship and the official recognition by Deutscher Motor Sport Bund (DMSB) as the German endurance championship (German Meisterschaft ) in 2001,
2736-445: The rest supported the GT Asia Series calendar. On 15 October 2015, Marcello Lotti revealed plans for a European Series including one round from each TCR European championship (Italy, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Russia and Benelux), starting from 2016. On 26 February 2016, the European Trophy was launched, with six rounds (Spanish championship was excluded for not having an own series and Benelux series had two rounds). Subsequent change
2793-480: The same name, had been in use in the British GT Championship which the SRO Group also organized. The regulations and homologations for Group GT3 were prepared by the FIA and ready by the start of the 2006 season, with eight manufacturers represented as the first Balance of Performance test prior to the debut of the FIA GT3 European Championship . The International GT Open , British GT Championship , Spanish GT Championship , and Italian GT Championship all created
2850-402: The same participants. In the calendar, several weeks around the 24h date in May/June are taken off to allow teams to prepare for the 24h, and to fix their cars afterwards. However, the 24h is no longer a part of the championship. The championship is known for its large quantity of cars as well as its variety, with an average of 113 cars starting per race in 2023. As of December 2023, future of
2907-444: The series will only race in Sweden, but a future expansion into the other Scandinavian countries is possible in the near future. On 8 November 2016, it was announced that the TCR Portuguese Series and TCR Spanish Series would merge, creating the TCR Ibérico Touring Car Series. The series will visit Portugal four times and Spain three times. Along with an overall title, two separate national titles were also awarded. On 20 January 2018
SECTION 50
#17327868215192964-405: The votes and the fast lap practice session with fan voting having bigger weight); sprint race 1 uses the best lap of after pit during long race to determine the starting grid, race 3 uses the best lap of before pit during long race; races 2 and 4 include a rolling start using the finishing order, respectively, of race 1 and 3. For the 2017 season the fan voting was dropped and the starting grid for
3021-488: The wheel, Stefan Eickelmann in 1998 and two times drivers champion Wolf Silvester in 2013. One marshal and one spectator have died after being hit by a car in 1977 and 2015 respectively. The NLS has the particularity of awarding its main championship, the drivers championship, based on group positions rather than overall positions. This means that championship contenders very often do not contend for overall wins or podiums, and do not race directly against each other. As of 2023,
3078-591: Was known as TC3, to indicate its intended position at the entry-level end of the touring car pyramid. However, upon being approved by the FIA in December 2014, the specification was renamed TCR. On 15 September 2014, technical regulations for the category were announced. On 22 January 2016, minor changes were applied. Eligible cars: 4/5-door vehicles Body shell: Reinforced production body shell; wheel arch modifications allowed to accommodate tyres Minimum weight: 1250 kg for cars with production gearbox, 1285 kg for cars with racing gearbox (both including
3135-504: Was made during the course of the season to include additional round from German series. For the 2017 edition was adopted the one-off event format with two races. For 2018 it was upgraded to TCR Europe Series with 7 events, five of which would support International GT Open . TCR cars are allowed to compete in 24H Series alongside the GT cars. Initially the two series had their separate calendars and TCR entires were eligible to enter and score points in both championships until 2017. In 2018
3192-421: Was named " BFGoodrich Langstreckenmeisterschaft (BFGLM)" from 2001 to 2009. The VLN was founded in 1977 by several motorsport clubs, which are members of ADAC or Deutscher Motorsport Verband (DMV), in order to join forces. Previously, each club had run its own touring car racing event on the Nürburgring, lasting for 3.5 to 6 hours, with about 150 cars and 400 drivers taking part. The rules were unified and
3249-448: Was spearheaded by former World Touring Car Championship manager Marcello Lotti. All TCR cars have a common forefather; the SEAT León Cup Racer racing car which was introduced as successor to the SEAT León Supercopa used in several successful single-make series. The 2.0L engine formula was derived from this car, as well as the standardised front splitter and rear wing . Initially, the specification and accompanying international series
#518481