History
The GT4 European Series, organized by SRO Motorsports Group, is a sports car championship launched in 2007 as an affordable, amateur-oriented alternative to GT3 racing. [1] Since its inception, it has undergone several format changes and rebrandings, and now serves as a prominent support series for the GT World Challenge Europe.
Founded by the Stéphane Ratel Organisation (SRO), the GT4 category debuted with the GT4 European Cup in 2007, aiming to create a competitive platform for true amateur drivers. The series features production-based GT cars with tightly regulated specifications, managed through a Balance of Performance (BoP) system to control costs and ensure parity.
Between 2008 and 2013, the GT4 class was incorporated into various national championships, including the British GT Championship. In 2013, after an expansion effort, the original GT4 European Cup evolved into the GT4 European Trophy, integrating several rounds from existing European series. The following year, the Trophy merged with the Dutch GT4 Championship, resulting in the current GT4 European Series.
Growing interest prompted SRO to split the series into the GT4 European Series Northern Cup and Southern Cup in 2017, the latter aligned with the FFSA GT Championship. This period also saw the introduction of the Silver Cup, Pro-Am, and Am classes to better categorize competitors. By 2018, the Northern Cup was consolidated back into a single GT4 European Series, while the Southern Cup continued as FFSA GT – GT4 France. [2]
Since 2019, the GT4 European Series has seen significant growth in grid sizes and manufacturer involvement, running alongside the GT World Challenge Europe events. It has become a key development path for aspiring GT3 drivers. From the 2025 season, the series is officially named the GT4 European Series powered by RAFA Racing Club. The championship continues to focus on amateur (Bronze) and semi-professional (Silver) participants, with strict entry criteria. Cars, such as the BMW M4 GT4, Ford Mustang GT4, and Audi R8 LMS GT4, are production-based and subject to a rigorous Balance of Performance process to maintain fair competition. Race weekends typically include two one-hour races, often as support events for major fixtures like the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa. [3] [4] [5]
The GT4 European Series features two 60-minute sprint races per event, each requiring a mandatory mid-race driver change and a regulated pit stop. The championship spans six race weekends annually, mainly supporting the GT World Challenge Europe. [6]
Each weekend includes two qualifying sessions—Q1 and Q2—to set the grids for Races 1 and 2. Driver 1 competes in Q1 and starts Race 1, while Driver 2 takes part in Q2 and begins Race 2. Races are typically held on separate days, with a compulsory pit stop in each race for a driver swap within a designated time window. Pit stop durations are strictly controlled (for example, 98 seconds pit-in to pit-out), with penalties for non-compliance to maintain competitive balance. All races use a rolling start format.
Organized by SRO Motorsport Group, the series is a pro/am championship for emerging talent and amateur racers. Competition is divided into three main categories: Silver Cup (both drivers classified as 'Silver' by the FIA, usually young professionals or semi-pros), Pro-Am Cup (pairings of a higher-graded driver—Gold or Silver—with a lower-graded Bronze driver), and Am Cup (exclusively for Bronze-graded amateurs). [7]
To ensure fair racing among the diverse range of eligible GT4 cars—including those from Audi, BMW, Ford, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, Porsche, and Toyota—the SRO enforces a Balance of Performance (BoP) system that regulates speed and technical parameters across manufacturers. [8] [9]
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