Pro/Am Driver
A Pro/Am driver is a racer who competes in a motorsport category where professional and amateur drivers team up together, typically with one experienced pro paired with one less-experienced amateur driver in the same car.
In motorsport, not everyone racing is a full-time professional. Some drivers are hobbyists who love racing but have day jobs and race for fun on weekends. The Pro/Am format creates a special racing class that brings these two worlds together, allowing amateur drivers to compete alongside seasoned professionals in the same vehicle.
Racing organizations use a rating system to classify drivers by their skill level and experience. The most common system includes four tiers: Platinum (top professionals), Gold (experienced pros), Silver (semi-professional or developing drivers), and Bronze (amateurs). A typical Pro/Am team pairs a Gold or Silver-rated driver with a Bronze-rated amateur, creating balanced competition across all teams.
The amateur drivers in Pro/Am racing are sometimes called "gentlemen drivers." These are passionate motorsport enthusiasts who have the financial means to participate in professional-level racing. They invest in coaching, practice, and preparation to compete at higher levels than typical amateur racing, but they aren't professional racers by career.
Pro/Am classes are especially popular in GT sports car racing and endurance events. Series like the World Endurance Championship and GT World Challenge Europe feature dedicated Pro/Am categories. In these races, both drivers must take turns behind the wheel, with rules often requiring minimum drive time for each person to ensure the amateur gets meaningful track experience.
The format benefits everyone involved. Amateur drivers gain invaluable experience learning from professionals in real racing conditions. Professional drivers get paid opportunities to compete and can help develop the next generation of racers. Race organizers create larger, more competitive fields with diverse talent levels.
Different racing series structure their Pro/Am classes in various ways. Some consider age as a factor, like the Porsche Carrera World Cup, which requires Pro/Am drivers to be Bronze-rated and at least 30 years old. Other series focus purely on driver ratings without age restrictions.
The Pro/Am driver category serves as an important stepping stone in motorsport. Ambitious amateurs can use it to gain experience, improve their skills, and potentially earn higher driver ratings that might lead to professional racing opportunities. It bridges the gap between club racing and top-tier professional competition, making high-level motorsport more accessible to dedicated enthusiasts.