GT World Challenge Europe - Round 8

Round 8 of the GT World Challenge Europe takes place at the Nürburgring in Germany. This race is part of the Endurance Cup and typically runs for three hours. The event brings together the fastest GT3 cars and top teams from across Europe to compete at one of motorsport's most famous venues.

The Nürburgring is a large motorsport complex located in Nürburg, Rhineland-Palatinate, in the Eifel mountains. The facility has a capacity of 150,000 spectators. The complex features two main tracks: the legendary Nordschleife and the modern Grand Prix circuit. The Nordschleife measures 20.830 km in length and features 73 corners with significant elevation changes of around 300 meters. Jackie Stewart gave this track its famous nickname "The Green Hell" due to its challenging and demanding nature. The Grand Prix circuit was built in 1984 to meet modern safety standards and measures 5.15 km in length.

The GT World Challenge Europe is a sports car racing series organized by SRO Motorsports Group. The series features grand touring cars modified from production road cars that meet FIA GT3 regulations. All competing vehicles must be FIA GT3-homologated, which requires manufacturers to produce at least 300 road cars of a model before it can become a race car. These machines produce between 500 and 600 horsepower and weigh between 1,200 and 1,350 kg depending on Balance of Performance adjustments.

The cars feature various engine configurations including turbocharged V6s and naturally aspirated V8s, V10s, or V12s. Top speeds can reach 280 to 300 km/h depending on the circuit configuration. Teams use ABS and traction control, but active aerodynamics are not permitted. Pirelli serves as the sole tire supplier, providing P Zero slicks for dry conditions and Cinturato wets for rain. All teams use the same 102 RON racing fuel to ensure fair competition.

The 2025 season features manufacturers including Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, Porsche, and Corvette. Teams competing include 2 Seas Motorsport, AF Corse, AlManar Racing by WRT, Comtoyou Racing, Dinamic GT, Garage 59, Herberth Motorsport, HRT Ford Performance, Lionspeed GP, Pure Rxcing, Rutronik Racing, Saintéloc Racing, Schumacher CLRT, Team WRT, Tresor Attempto Racing, and Walkenhorst Motorsport. Drivers are classified into Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze categories by the FIA, and the championship includes Pro, Gold, Silver, and Bronze classes.

The GT World Challenge Europe started in 2011 as the Blancpain Endurance Series. A Sprint Series was added in 2014, and the series was rebranded as GT World Challenge Europe in 2019. Amazon Web Services became the official presenter in 2020. The European series connects with GT World Challenge championships in Asia, America, and Australia, creating a global platform for GT3 racing.

SRO uses Balance of Performance to ensure fair competition by managing engine power, aerodynamic elements, and weight data across different manufacturers. This system allows different car models to compete on equal terms despite their varying designs and characteristics. The result is close racing where driver skill and team strategy determine the outcome.

The Nürburgring Nordschleife holds a unique position as the longest permanent racetrack in the world. The track is a toll road open to the public for driving when races are not taking place and weather conditions permit. The Nürburgring has had various configurations throughout its history, including the original 28.265 km Gesamtstrecke. The venue has hosted the Eifel Grand Prix and continues to attract major racing events from around the globe.

Round 8 at the Nürburgring represents a major challenge for teams and drivers in the gt-world-challenge-europe series. The three-hour race format tests both the speed of the cars and their reliability over an extended distance. The combination of the demanding circuit and the high level of competition creates compelling racing action. Teams must balance outright pace with consistency and strategy to succeed at this venue.