What Is 2019 GT World Challenge Europe

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 GT World Challenge Europe was a grand tourer racing series organized by SRO Motorsports Group, featuring three main categories: Endurance Cup, Sprint Cup, and the new-for-2019 GT Sports Club. The season ran from March to November 2019 with races across Europe.

Key Facts

The 2019 season began on March 17 at Circuit Paul Ricard in France
It featured 3 main series: Endurance Cup, Sprint Cup, and GT Sports Club
Endurance Cup included the 24 Hours of Spa, won by Audi Sport Team Saintéloc
Sprint Cup races were held over two one-hour events per weekend
GT Sports Club was introduced in 2019 for retired professional drivers

Overview

The 2019 GT World Challenge Europe was a premier grand tourer racing championship organized by the SRO Motorsports Group. It replaced the former Blancpain GT Series and expanded its structure to include multiple competitive formats across the continent.

Three distinct series made up the championship: the Endurance Cup, the Sprint Cup, and the newly launched GT Sports Club. Each series catered to different racing styles and driver classifications, attracting top teams and manufacturers like Audi, Mercedes-AMG, and Ferrari.

Endurance Cup: Featured five rounds, including the iconic 24 Hours of Spa on July 27–28, which drew over 60 entries and was won by Audi Sport Team Saintéloc.
Sprint Cup: Consisted of seven race weekends with two one-hour races per event, beginning at Circuit Paul Ricard on March 17 and ending at Barcelona in October.
GT Sports Club: Launched in 2019 as a new series for retired professionals, featuring four events with no points system and a focus on driver experience.
Manufacturer Involvement:Mercedes-AMG led with 14 entries across categories, followed by Audi with 12 and Ferrari with 10, highlighting strong factory support.
Driver Eligibility: The series used SRO’s Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum driver rankings to balance competition and ensure fair team compositions.

How It Works

The GT World Challenge Europe combined professional racing with regulated driver classifications and manufacturer participation to ensure competitive balance. Each series operated under strict technical and sporting regulations managed by the SRO.

Endurance Format: Races lasted three or 24 hours, with mandatory driver changes and fuel strategies; the 24 Hours of Spa was the season highlight, attracting global attention.
Sprint Format: Each race weekend included two one-hour races with separate qualifying sessions, emphasizing short-burst performance and tactical pit stops.
Driver Grading: The SRO’s four-tier system (Platinum to Bronze) ensured balanced lineups, with Bronze-rated drivers required in Pro-Am and Am categories.
Car Regulations: All vehicles were GT3-spec, homologated by the FIA, with Balance of Performance (BoP) adjustments applied before each event.
Points System: Endurance Cup awarded points to the top 15 finishers, with double points at Spa, while Sprint Cup awarded points to top 10 in each race.
Team Structure: Teams could enter up to two cars per series, with Pro, Pro-Am, and Am classes ensuring competition across skill levels.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the three main series within the 2019 GT World Challenge Europe:

Series	Rounds	Flagship Race	Car Class	Driver Categories
Endurance Cup	5	24 Hours of Spa	GT3	Pro, Pro-Am, Am
Sprint Cup	7	Monza	GT3	Pro, Pro-Am, Am
GT Sports Club	4	Imola	GT3 (retired drivers)	Invitation-only
Season Duration	March–November	July 27–28	Full season	All levels
Entries	~60 (Spa)	~40 (Monza)	~20 (per event)	Bronze-focused

The table highlights the structural differences between series, showing how each served a unique role. While the Endurance Cup emphasized team strategy and reliability, the Sprint Cup prioritized driver skill in shorter formats, and the GT Sports Club provided a platform for veteran drivers to compete in a relaxed environment.

Why It Matters

The 2019 GT World Challenge Europe played a key role in shaping modern GT racing, setting standards for regulation, safety, and competition. Its influence extended beyond Europe, impacting global GT3 series and manufacturer development programs.

Global Influence: The SRO’s BoP system became a model for IMSA and Super Taikyu, improving fairness in international GT racing.
Manufacturer Development:Audi and Mercedes used the series to test new components ahead of global campaigns, including the 2020 DTM season.
Driver Pathway: The series served as a proving ground for young talent, with 2019 champion Dries Vanthoor moving to WEC afterward.
Commercial Success: The championship attracted over 300,000 spectators across events and strong broadcast coverage in 150+ countries.
Safety Innovations: Introduced advanced crash telemetry and improved barrier systems after 2018 incidents.
Legacy: The 2019 season laid groundwork for the 2020 rebranding to GT World Challenge Europe, aligning with SRO’s global series.

By integrating multiple formats and classifications, the 2019 season demonstrated how endurance and sprint racing could coexist under one banner, setting a benchmark for future motorsport series.