SRO Motorsports Group has extended its agreement to organise and promote the Intelligent Money British GT Championship into a 20th year and beyond after renewing its current partnership with the category’s national ASN, Motorsport UK.
The global leader in GT racing will continue to manage one of Britain’s premier motorsport series for a further five seasons until the end of 2025 at least – 22 years after SRO Motorsports Group’s existing tenure began.
Since 2004 measures including the introduction of GT3 and GT4 classes, careful driver management, and regulations designed to meet the specific requirements of a unique domestic motorsport environment have helped British GT to flourish. Indeed, it can now be considered the world’s most high-profile multi-class national GT championship and one of just a handful to combine GT3, GT4 and GTC cars.
SRO Motorsports Group’s renewed partnership with Motorsport UK will also feature further promotion of the diverse opportunities for grassroots participation. This includes more visibility for Motorsport UK’s sport promotion activities – from prominent trackside branding to consumer engagement programmes as and when government guidelines allow.
Stéphane Ratel, SRO Motorsports Group founder and CEO: “No series has been part of SRO Motorsports Group’s portfolio longer than the Intelligent Money British GT Championship, and I think that longevity speaks for itself. However, it’s also a very important element within global GT racing and wider motorsport. Many teams, drivers and staff gain experience in British GT before embarking on European and international programmes. These are often SRO-run events that use the same common regulations, but GT3 and GT4 is now so widespread that the sky really is the limit. Motorsport in general benefits from this universal platform, including the UK which remains one of the best-represented industries.
“On a personal level, we are very proud to have overseen the same championship for more than 20 years. I’d like to thank Motorsport UK for again placing their trust in SRO Motorsports Group but must also highlight the tireless work of Lauren Granville and Benjamin Franassovici who, between them, have managed British GT so successfully for the majority of the last two decades.”
Hugh Chambers, Motorsport UK CEO: “We are delighted to extend our long-standing relationship with the SRO Motorsports Group for a further five years. Stéphane Ratel and his highly professional team have developed a fantastic formula, which works incredibly well for the British GT Championship. The calibre of drivers and teams that return year after year, aligned with the professionalism of the series, produces exceptional racing – with the title fight frequently going down to the final round. We look forward to working with SRO to ensure the continued success of the championship and as a platform to engage with new audiences and promote motorsport in general.”
The nine-round 2021 Intelligent Money British GT Championship begins at Brands Hatch on May 22/23 before the blue riband Silverstone 500 takes place in June. Further events are scheduled at Donington Park, Spa-Francorchamps, Snetterton and Oulton Park before the season culminates with the #DoningtonDecider on October 16/17.
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