A eight-date race calendar has been announced for the 2010 season with a total of 14 races and a season-closing ‘in to the night’ race at Donington Park.
Other highlight in the calendar sees a return to Magny-Cours in France, last visited by the championship in 2006. There will also be a two hour race on the grand prix circuit at Silverstone.
The championship opener will see the series head to Oulton Park with the British Formula 3 International Series on Easter Sunday/Monday (3-5 April).
Along with the new calendar, a revised format has been announced, with no testing on the Friday – saving teams and drivers a full day at the track – with two one-hour free practice sessions, as well as two 15-minute qualifying sessions, scheduled for the Saturday. All races will take place on the Sunday.
The dates have been carefully planned so to not clash with any major UK championships, including BTCC events.
“We are very pleased with the provisional dates and the venues,” said Bernadette Fitzsimons, General Manager SRO Motorsports Group. “The competitors were adamant that they wanted to retain eight events in total, and that has enabled us to include Knockhill on the provisional calendar, which we are very pleased about because it will give us once again the chance to work with Knockhill’s enthusiastic and helpful staff.
“We are also delighted to be returning to the Grand Prix circuit at Silverstone, which is a particular favourite of the drivers, and are excited to be able to plan an “into the night” race at Donington Park. This is proposed as a two-hour endurance event with refuelling pit stops, and should make for a really dramatic finale to the championship.”
Provisional calendar 2010 Avon Tyres British GT Championship
03-05 Apr, Oulton Park (with British F3)
08/09 May, Knockhill
22/23 May, Magny-Cours, France
03/04 Jul, Snetterton (with British F3)
17/18 Jul, Rockingham (with British F3)
14/15 Aug, Silverstone GP (2hr race, with British F3)
25/26 Sep, Brands Hatch GP (with British F3)
16/17 Oct, Donington Park (2hr race, partner races TBA)
The Cup Class will also make a welcome return to the series, providing a cost-effective means of competing in the highest level of GT racing in the GT.
Homologated FIA GT3 cars will also be able to compete including those with superseeded homologation.
Planned TV coverage for the season wil see the series broadcast via Channel 4 with additional coverage on Motors TV across Europe.
The championship is sponsored by Avon Tyres and is further supported by motorsport insurance specialist AON, by Sunoco Racing Fuels and by Anglo American Oil Company.
