The GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup stands today as a premier sports car racing series, but its journey to this status involved several transformations and strategic partnerships. Developed by the SRO Motorsports Group and the Royal Automobile Club of Belgium (RACB), with the approval of the Féderation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the series has consistently aimed to be a leading endurance championship for GT3 cars. Its history is marked
by significant sponsorship changes and a clear vision to parallel other major endurance racing events.
Early Beginnings and Blancpain Sponsorship
The series inaugurated its first season in 2011, initially known as the Blancpain Endurance Series. This early iteration established the core format of endurance races held on prominent European circuits, including Monza and Silverstone, and notably continued the tradition of the Spa 24 Hours. The involvement of Swiss watchmaker Blancpain as the primary sponsor was crucial during these formative years, lending its name to the series and helping to build its profile within the motorsport community. The series featured grand tourer racing cars, which are modified versions of production road cars, all adhering to the FIA's GT3 regulations.
From 2011 to 2015, the championship operated under the Blancpain Endurance Series banner. This period was vital for solidifying its structure and attracting a strong field of competitors. The series' goal from the outset was to create an endurance racing championship specifically for GT3 cars, drawing a parallel to the FIA World Endurance Championship, which at the time featured GTE cars and Le Mans Prototypes. The success of the Blancpain Endurance Series laid the groundwork for its future expansion and recognition.
Transition to GT Series and Beyond
In 2016, the series underwent a rebranding, becoming the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup, a name it retained until 2019. This change reflected a broader integration within the SRO's GT racing portfolio, emphasizing the growing importance of both sprint and endurance formats under a unified banner. During this time, the series continued to attract large grids, with races sometimes featuring as many as 60 cars, showcasing its popularity and competitive depth. The series also employed extensive performance balancing and handicap weights to ensure fair competition among the diverse range of GT3 cars.
The partnership with Blancpain eventually concluded, and in 2019, SRO announced the discontinuation of their sponsorship deal. This led to another significant renaming for the 2020 season, when the series officially became the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup. This new name aligned it with the global GT World Challenge platform, which also includes regional series in America and Asia. The evolution from a single-sponsor-named series to a globally branded championship underscores its growth and its ambition to be a recognized leader in international GT endurance racing.
