GT World Challenge America - Round 7 & 8

GT World Challenge America returns to Virginia International Raceway for Round 7 & 8 of the championship. This event brings GT3-class racing to the historic circuit in Alton, Virginia. The weekend features two 90-minute sprint races with mandatory driver changes. Teams compete across Pro, Pro-Am, and Am classes.

Race Format and Series

The GT World Challenge America races at Virginia International Raceway follow a two-driver sprint format. Each race runs for 90 minutes and requires a mandatory pit stop for driver changes. This format tests both driver skill and team strategy. The SRO Motorsports Group organizes this championship series.

Round 7 & 8 form part of a full season calendar. The weekend also includes support races from Pirelli GT4 America, GT America, TC America, Toyota GR Cup North America, and McLaren Trophy series. More than 100 cars typically compete across all series during the weekend.

Virginia International Raceway Circuit

Virginia International Raceway sits near Danville, Virginia, less than half a mile from the North Carolina border. The track offers multiple configurations, with the Full Course being the most commonly used layout for professional racing.

Full Course Layout

The Full Course measures 3.270 miles and features 17 turns. The circuit includes approximately 130 feet of elevation change. The maximum straightaway extends about 4,000 feet. Notable sections include the uphill Esses, Oak Tree Turn, and Roller Coaster.

Track Characteristics

The circuit challenges drivers with its elevation changes and technical corners. Virginia International Raceway opened in 1957 and quickly gained recognition among racers. Carroll Shelby famously compared one lap at VIR to a hundred at Watkins Glen. The track closed in 1974 but reopened in 2000 after extensive renovations.

GT3 Race Cars and Manufacturers

GT World Challenge America exclusively features GT3-class race cars. These vehicles produce between 500 and 600 horsepower. All cars use rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive systems. Allowed body styles include coupe, sedan, and convertible configurations.

Multiple manufacturers participate in Round 7 & 8 at Virginia International Raceway. Teams race cars from Toyota, Corvette, Aston Martin, Porsche, BMW, Mercedes-AMG, McLaren, and Ford. Each manufacturer supports teams through their customer racing programs.

Teams and Competition

Professional racing teams bring their GT3 machinery to Virginia International Raceway. Teams like CrowdStrike Racing, RS1, Heart of Racing Team, Turner Motorsport, and Random Vandals Racing compete in the championship. Some teams maintain facilities at VIR itself.

The class structure creates multiple battles within each race. Pro class features professional driver pairings. Pro-Am pairs one professional with one amateur driver. Am class fields two amateur drivers per car. This structure ensures close competition across different skill levels.

Spectator Experience

Virginia International Raceway offers an open paddock for fans. Visitors can walk through the team areas and see the cars up close. Autograph sessions and grid walks provide access to drivers. Children 12 and under receive free admission.

The facility operates as a motorsport resort, combining racing with lodging and dining options. Fans can watch from multiple viewing areas around the 3.270-mile circuit. The elevation changes provide natural viewing spots that overlook several corners.

Historic Racing Venue

Virginia International Raceway has a long history in American motorsports. The track opened in August 1957, built by a group of racing fans. It became popular on the SCCA circuit and attracted top drivers like Carroll Shelby, Carl Haas, and Bob Holbert.

Financial challenges and the fuel crisis forced the track to close in 1974. Connie Nyholm and Harvey Siegel purchased the property in 1998 and reopened it in March 2000. They renovated, repaved, and widened the track. VIR now bills itself as America's First Motorsport Resort.

The Oak Tree Legacy

A famous 200-year-old oak tree once stood inside the track between turns 11 and 12. Lightning struck and felled the tree in July 2013. The circuit planted saplings to replace this landmark. The corner still carries the Oak Tree name.

GT World Challenge America at VIR

The combination of GT3 cars and Virginia International Raceway creates compelling racing. The circuit layout rewards both power and handling. The elevation changes and technical sections challenge every driver. Round 7 & 8 typically feature close competition across all three classes.

Virginia International Raceway hosts both amateur and professional racing events throughout the season. The facility also runs driving schools, club days, and private test rentals. The gt-world-challenge-america weekend represents one of the premier professional events at the circuit.