2020 GT World Challenge America

The 2020 GT World Challenge America powered by AWS is the 14th season of the United States Auto Club's GT World Challenge America, the third season under ownership of the SRO Motorsports Group and the first season without Blancpain sponsorship.[1] The season began on 7 March in Austin and will end on 4 October at Indianapolis.

Calendar

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At the annual press conference during the 2019 24 Hours of Spa on 26 July, the Stéphane Ratel Organisation announced the first draft of the 2020 calendar with Las Vegas being dropped from the schedule in favor of Indianapolis.[2] Austin was removed from the provisional calendar on 25 October,[3] before it would return on 8 November after extensive discussions with team owners and stakeholders. The round at Indianapolis became a non-points paying event.[4]

Calendar changes due to COVID-19 pandemic

The round at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park was cancelled. The round at Virginia was moved from 6–7 June to 11–12 July. The round at Indianapolis is back to being a points paying event to replace the cancelled rounds at CTMP with the first three hours of the Indianapolis 8 Hour Intercontinental GT race counting towards the championship.

Round Circuit Date
1   Circuit of the Americas, Elroy, Texas 7–8 March
2   Virginia International Raceway, Alton, Virginia 11–12 July
3   Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, California 8–9 August
4   Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin 29–30 August
5   Circuit of the Americas, Elroy, Texas 19–20 September
6   Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, Indiana 4 October
Cancelled due to the 2019-20 coronavirus pandemic
Circuit Original Date
  Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Bowmanville, Ontario 16–17 May
  Combined races with GT Sports Club America due to drop in expected entries amid COVID-19 pandemic
  Also part of the Intercontinental GT Challenge

Entry list

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The Pro Cup class was eliminated from the series for this season.[5]

Team Car No. Drivers Class Rounds
 
 
Squadra Corse[6][N 1]
TR3 Racing[6][N 1]
Ferrari 488 GT3[6] 1   Martin Fuentes[6] PA 1–2, 4–6
  Rodrigo Baptista[6] 1–2, 4–5
  Alessandro Balzan 6
  Mark Issa 6
24   Ziad Ghandour[6] PA 1, 3
  Matteo Cressoni[6] 1
  Jeff Segal 3
31   John Megrue[7] Am 2
  Bill Sweedler[7]
  DXDT Racing[8] Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo[8] 04   Colin Braun[8] PA All
  George Kurtz[8]
  Ben Keating 6
63   David Askew[9] PA All
  Ryan Dalziel[9]
  Richard Heistand 6
  Vital Speed[10] Ferrari 488 GT3[10] 6   Rich Baek[6] Am 1
  Mark Issa[6]
  Ryan Briscoe PA 6
  Trevor Baek
  Jeff Westphal
7   Trevor Baek[10] PA 1
  Jeff Westphal[10]
  K-PAX Racing[11] Bentley Continental GT3[11] 8   Patrick Byrne[11] PA 1
  Guy Cosmo[11]
  GMG Racing[12] Porsche 911 GT3 R[12] 14   Jeroen Bleekemolen[12] PA 1, 3
  James Sofronas[12]
  Wright Motorsports[13] Porsche 911 GT3 R[13] 20   Fred Poordad[13] Am 1–4
  Max Root[13]
  Fred Poordad[13] PA 5–6
  Jan Heylen
  Max Root 6
  Winward Racing[6] Mercedes-AMG GT3[6] 33   Russell Ward[6] PA 1–3
  Bryce Ward[6] 1
  Kris Wilson[14] 2–3
  Russell Ward S 4–5
  Indy Dontje 4
  Alec Udell 5
  Park Place Motorsports[6] Porsche 911 GT3 R[6] 73   David Ducote[6] Am 1
  Alan Metni[6]
  Racers Edge Motorsports[15] Acura NSX GT3[15] 80   Kyle Marcelli[15] PA 1–2, 5
  Martin Barkey[15] 1–2
  Ziad Ghandour 5
93   Shelby Blackstock[16] S All
  Trent Hindman[16]
  Robert Megennis 6
  Stephen Cameron Racing[6] BMW M6 GT3[6] 87   Greg Liefooghe[6] PA 1
  Henry Schmitt[6]
Icon Class
S Silver Cup
PA Pro-Am Cup
Am Am Cup

Race results

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Bold indicates overall winner.

Round Circuit Pole position Silver Winners Pro-Am Winners Am Winners
1 R1   Austin   No. 14 GMG Racing   No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports   No. 14 GMG Racing   No. 20 Wright Motorsports
  Jeroen Bleekemolen
  James Sofronas
  Shelby Blackstock
  Trent Hindman
  Jeroen Bleekemolen
  James Sofronas
  Fred Poordad
  Max Root
R2   No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports   No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports   No. 1 Squadra Corse   No. 20 Wright Motorsports
  Shelby Blackstock
  Trent Hindman
  Shelby Blackstock
  Trent Hindman
  Rodrigo Baptista
  Martin Fuentes
  Fred Poordad
  Max Root
2 R1   Virginia   No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports   No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports   No. 80 Racers Edge Motorsports   No. 31 TR3 Racing
  Shelby Blackstock
  Trent Hindman
  Shelby Blackstock
  Trent Hindman
  Martin Barkey
  Kyle Marcelli
  John Megrue
  Bill Sweedler
R2   No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports   No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports   No. 04 DXDT Racing   No. 31 TR3 Racing
  Shelby Blackstock
  Trent Hindman
  Shelby Blackstock
  Trent Hindman
  Colin Braun
  George Kurtz
  John Megrue
  Bill Sweedler
3 R1   Sonoma   No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports   No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports   No. 1 Squadra Corse   No. 20 Wright Motorsports
  Shelby Blackstock
  Trent Hindman
  Shelby Blackstock
  Trent Hindman
  Rodrigo Baptista
  Martin Fuentes
  Fred Poordad
  Max Root
R2   No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports   No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports   No. 14 GMG Racing   No. 20 Wright Motorsports
  Shelby Blackstock
  Trent Hindman
  Shelby Blackstock
  Trent Hindman
  Jeroen Bleekemolen
  James Sofronas
  Fred Poordad
  Max Root
4 R1   Road America   No. 33 Winward Racing   No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports   No. 1 Squadra Corse   No. 20 Wright Motorsports
  Indy Dontje
  Russell Ward
  Shelby Blackstock
  Trent Hindman
  Rodrigo Baptista
  Martin Fuentes
  Fred Poordad
  Max Root
R2   No. 63 DXDT Racing   No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports   No. 04 DXDT Racing   No. 20 Wright Motorsports
  David Askew
  Ryan Dalziel
  Shelby Blackstock
  Trent Hindman
  Colin Braun
  George Kurtz
  Fred Poordad
  Max Root
5 R1   Austin   No. 1 Squadra Corse   No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports   No. 1 Squadra Corse No Entries
  Rodrigo Baptista
  Martin Fuentes
  Shelby Blackstock
  Trent Hindman
  Rodrigo Baptista
  Martin Fuentes
R2   No. 1 Squadra Corse   No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports   No. 1 Squadra Corse
  Rodrigo Baptista
  Martin Fuentes
  Shelby Blackstock
  Trent Hindman
  Rodrigo Baptista
  Martin Fuentes
6   Indianapolis   No. 34 Walkenhorst Motorsport   No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports   No. 04 DXDT Racing
  Nicky Catsburg
  Augusto Farfus
  Connor De Phillippi
  Shelby Blackstock
  Trent Hindman
  Robert Megennis
  Colin Braun
  Ben Keating
  George Kurtz

Points system

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Scoring system

Championship points are awarded for the first ten positions in each race. Entries are required to complete 75% of the winning car's race distance in order to be classified and earn points. Individual drivers are required to participate for a minimum of 40 minutes in order to earn championship points in any race.

Standard Points
Position  1st   2nd   3rd   4th   5th   6th   7th   8th   9th   10th 
Points 25 18 15 12 10 8 6 4 2 1
Indianapolis Points
Position  1st   2nd   3rd   4th   5th   6th   7th   8th   9th   10th 
Points 50 36 30 24 20 16 12 8 4 2

Drivers' championship

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Pos. Driver Team AUS1
 
VIR
 
SON
 
ELK
 
AUS2
 
IND
 
Points
Silver class
1   Shelby Blackstock
  Trent Hindman
  Racers Edge Motorsports 1 1 2 7 5 1 1 1 2 2 3 300
2   Russell Ward   Winward Racing 2 2 3 4 72
3   Indy Dontje   Winward Racing 2 2 36
4   Alec Udell   Winward Racing 3 4 36
Pro-Am class
1   Martin Fuentes   Squadra Corse 4 2 3 3 1 6 4 5 1 1 2 234
2   Colin Braun
  George Kurtz
  DXDT Racing 3 3 5 1 3 4 6 3 WD WD 1 199
3   Rodrigo Baptista   Squadra Corse 4 2 3 3 1 6 4 5 1 1 198
4   David Askew
  Ryan Dalziel
  DXDT Racing 14 5 4 6 4 5 5 4 5 5 Ret 134
5   Kyle Marcelli   Racers Edge Motorsports 5 6 1 2 6 6 89
6   Ziad Ghandour   TR3 Racing 6 4 6 7 73
  Racers Edge Motorsports 6 6
7   Martin Barkey   Racers Edge Motorsports 5 6 1 2 65
8   Jeroen Bleekemolen
  James Sofronas
  GMG Racing 2 9 DSQ 3 58
9   Fred Poordad
  Jan Heylen
  Wright Motorsports 4 3 NC 36
10   Russell Ward   Winward Racing 9 DNS 7 4 WD WD 28
11   Matteo Cressoni   TR3 Racing 6 4 25
12   Kris Wilson   Winward Racing 7 4 WD WD 22
13   Jeff Segal   TR3 Racing 6 7 22
14   Trevor Baek
  Jeff Westphal
  Vital Speed 8 10 14
15   Patrick Byrne
  Guy Cosmo
  K-PAX Racing 10 11 WD WD 8
16   Bryce Ward   Winward Racing 9 DNS 6
17   Greg Liefooghe
  Henry Schmitt
  Stephen Cameron Racing 11 Ret 2
Drivers ineligible to score points
  Alessandro Balzan   Squadra Corse 2
Am class
1   Fred Poordad
  Max Root
  Wright Motorsports 7 7 8 8 2 2 3 6 186
2   John Megrue
  Bill Sweedler
  TR3 Racing 6 5 50
3   David Ducote
  Alan Metni
  Park Place Motorsports 12 8 36
4   Rich Baek
  Mark Issa
  Vital Speed 13 Ret 15
Pos. Driver Team AUS1
 
VIR
 
SON
 
ELK
 
AUS2
 
IND
 
Points
Key
Colour Result
Gold Race winner
Silver 2nd place
Bronze 3rd place
Green Points finish
Blue Non-points finish
Non-classified finish (NC)
Purple Did not finish (Ret)
Black Disqualified (DSQ)
Excluded (EX)
White Did not start (DNS)
Race cancelled (C)
Withdrew (WD)
Blank Did not participate

Bold – Pole
Italics – Fastest Lap

Teams' championship

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Pos. Team Manufacturer AUS1
 
VIR
 
SON
 
ELK
 
AUS2
 
IND
 
Points
Silver class
1   Racers Edge Motorsports Acura 1 1 2 7 5 1 1 1 2 2 3 300
2   Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG 2 2 3 4 72
Pro-Am class
1   Squadra Corse Ferrari 4 2 3 3 1 6 4 5 1 1 2 239
2   DXDT Racing Mercedes-AMG 3 3 4 1 3 4 5 3 5 5 1 235
3   Racers Edge Motorsports Acura 5 6 1 2 6 6 91
4   GMG Racing Porsche 2 9 DSQ 3 60
5   TR3 Racing Ferrari 6 4 6 7 52
6   Wright Motorsports Porsche 4 3 NC 36
7   Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG 9 DNS 7 4 WD WD 30
8   Vital Speed Ferrari 8 10 16
9   K-PAX Racing Bentley 10 11 WD WD 10
10   Stephen Cameron Racing BMW 11 Ret 2
Am class
1   Wright Motorsports Porsche 7 7 8 8 2 2 3 6 186
2   TR3 Racing Ferrari 6 5 50
3   Park Place Motorsports Porsche 12 8 36
4   Vital Speed Ferrari 13 Ret 15
Pos. Team Manufacturer AUS1
 
VIR
 
SON
 
ELK
 
AUS2
 
IND
 
Points

Manufacturers' championship

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Pos. Manufacturer AUS1
 
VIR
 
SON
 
ELK
 
AUS2
 
IND
 
Points
1   Acura 1 1 1 2 4 1 1 1 2 2 3 246
2   Ferrari 4 2 2 3 1 4 4 3 1 1 2 213
3   Mercedes-AMG 3 3 3 1 3 3 2 2 3 4 1 213
4   Porsche 2 4 4 4 2 2 3 4 4 3 144
5   Lamborghini 0
Pos. Manufacturer AUS1
 
VIR
 
SON
 
ELK
 
AUS2
 
IND
 
Points

Source:[17]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b Car No. 1 entered as Squadra Corse at Round 1 and as TR3 Racing from Round 2 on. Cars No. 24 and 31 entered as TR3 Racing.

References

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  1. ^ "Blancpain and SRO Motorsports Group conclude successful 10-year partnership". gt-world-challenge-america.com. SRO Motorsports Group. 17 December 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  2. ^ Lloyd, Daniel (26 July 2019). "SRO America Schedules Released; Indy Round Added". sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  3. ^ Dagys, John (25 October 2019). "SRO America Confirms Reduced Six-Round Schedule for 2020". sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  4. ^ "Circuit of the Americas To Kick Off 2020 GT World Challenge America". gt-world-challenge-america.com. SRO Motorsports Group. 8 November 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  5. ^ Dagys, John (20 October 2019). "GT3 Pro Class to Be Eliminated in 2020". sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS Opens 2020 Season at Circuit of The Americas". gt-world-challenge-america.com. SRO Motorsports Group. 28 February 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  7. ^ a b "Green! Green! Green! VIRginia International Raceway Readies for Roar of GT World Challenge America powered by AWS Series, GT Sports Club America Series Debut". gt-world-challenge-america.com. SRO Motorsports Group. 7 July 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  8. ^ a b c d "CrowdStrike Racing Expands Motorsports Program for 2020". gt-world-challenge-america.com. SRO Motorsports Group. 11 February 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  9. ^ a b Dagys, John (18 February 2020). "Dalziel, Askew Return to DXDT in Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo". sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  10. ^ a b c d Kilshaw, Jake (5 February 2020). "Vital Speed Ferrari Returns; Westphal Joins Team". sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  11. ^ a b c d "K-PAX Racing Maintains American Program for 2020". kpaxracing.com. K-PAX Racing. 9 January 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  12. ^ a b c d "GMG ready for large and diverse roster of racing 2020". gmgracing.com. GMG Racing. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  13. ^ a b c d e "Wright Motorsports Gears Up for GT World Challenge America Campaign with Root and Poordad". wrightmotorsports.com. Wright Motorsports. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  14. ^ "Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing Teams Return to North American Competition in July". gt-world-challenge-america.com. SRO Motorsports Group. 6 July 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  15. ^ a b c d "Racers Edge Returns to Defend GT World Challenge America Title". gt-world-challenge-america.com. SRO Motorsports Group. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  16. ^ a b "Trent Hindman and Shelby Blackstock Team Up In NSX GT3 Evo To Run 2020 SRO GT World Challenge Americas". gt-world-challenge-america.com. SRO Motorsports Group. 28 February 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  17. ^ "Standings GT World Challenge America Brands 2020". Fanatec GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
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