GT4 America - Round 10 & 11

Rounds 10 and 11 of the GT4 America series take place at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. This double-header weekend features two 60-minute sprint races on one of the most beautiful circuits in North America. GT4 America brings together professional and amateur drivers who compete in purpose-built GT4-homologated racing cars from manufacturers including Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Ford, Porsche, and Toyota.

Race Format and Competition Structure

Each race lasts 60 minutes and requires teams to complete mandatory driver and tire changes during pit stops. The series divides competitors into three distinct classes based on driver experience and skill level. The Pro-Am class pairs a professional driver with an amateur driver. The Silver Cup features driver pairings classified as Silver by the FIA. The Am class welcomes amateur drivers who want to compete at a high level of motorsport.

Points earned during GT4 America races count toward the global GT4 championship. This connection links the series to the broader international GT4 platform.

Barber Motorsports Park Circuit

Barber Motorsports Park sits on 880 acres in Birmingham, Alabama. The road course measures 2.38 miles in length and features 17 turns. The track runs in a clockwise direction and includes elevation changes of over 80 feet. The facility holds FIA Grade 2 certification.

The pit lane runs parallel to the front straightaway, positioned outside the main course with the pit wall on the driver's left. A tunnel beneath Turn 12 allows emergency and maintenance vehicles to access the infield. The section near Turns 5 and 6 carries the nickname "Charlotte's Web" due to a large spider sculpture placed there.

Spectator Experience

Main viewing areas line the back straight between Turns 8 and 11. Additional spectator zones are located outside Turns 2, 3, and 14. The infield typically remains closed to general spectators. The venue is often called the "Augusta National of Motorsports" because of its pristine landscaping and visual appeal. Sculptures are positioned throughout the property, and the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum houses the world's largest motorcycle collection.

Teams and Drivers

GT4 America attracts a diverse field of teams and drivers. Regular participants include Auto Technic Racing, Random Vandals Racing, BimmerWorld, Fast Track Racing, Heart of Racing Team, and JMF Motorsports. The series provides a platform for drivers at different stages of their careers to compete side by side.

Professional drivers bring their experience to help develop amateur teammates. Amateur drivers gain valuable racing experience in a competitive but accessible environment. This mix creates close racing and unpredictable results across all three classes.

Technical Regulations and Balance

All cars competing in GT4 America must be GT4-homologated vehicles. These cars follow the same technical regulations used in GT4 series around the world. The SRO Motorsports Group manages Balance of Performance adjustments to maintain competitive parity among different manufacturers and models.

Teams must manage tire strategy during their mandatory pit stops. The choice of when to change tires can significantly affect race results. Driver changes add another strategic element as teams balance driving stints between their two pilots.

Series History and Development

The SRO Motorsports Group established GT4 America in 2017. The series was relaunched with its current GT4 designation in 2019. The goal was to create an accessible yet competitive environment for both amateur and professional drivers.

Since its creation, the series has grown into a key component of the GT World Challenge America ecosystem. GT4 America serves as a stepping stone for drivers who aspire to progress to higher levels of racing, including the GT3 class. The series bridges the gap between grassroots motorsport and international GT competition.

What Makes This Event Notable

The combination of Barber Motorsports Park's challenging layout and GT4 America's competitive field creates compelling racing. The elevation changes and technical corners reward precision driving. The mandatory pit stops add strategic variety to each race.

Rounds 10 and 11 arrive late in the season, often influencing championship outcomes across all three classes. The double-header format means teams have limited time between races to make adjustments. This tests both driver skill and team preparation.

The venue's aesthetic qualities and the museum's collection make Barber Motorsports Park a destination for racing fans. The GT4 platform's global reach means drivers and teams come from around the world to compete. This international participation enriches the competition and connects American GT racing to the worldwide GT4 community.