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• Thrilling new race series combines affordable 373kW, V8 touring cars and promoter profitability
• Global Touring Car Series promises fans a return to real racing values with a worldwide network of championships
Earlier 2013, Wheels24 reported on a new race car destined for a new South African race series – the Global Touring Car (GTC).
In January 2014, teams are gearing up for the international series which kicks off locally later in the year.
IMAGE GALLERY: Global Touring Car racer
The series is the brainchild of managing director, established racer Gary Formato, racing engineer Vic Maharaj and executive director Mark Woolley, with the backing of chairman, entrepreneur and Michael Formato.
Gary Formato is five-time South African motorsport champion, predominantly in sedans, and is a former sports car driver who has competed in Le Mans.
‘SERIOUS AFFORDABLE RACING’
Woolley said: “Racing at the top level is often seen as a compromised mix of technology wars and team orders, and an expensive pastime for well-backed hobbyists on the tiers below.
“What the Global Touring Car (GTC) Series aim to provide is thrilling racing for true motorsport fans, and an opportunity for franchise investors to make money from a proven race series concept. “We want to bring the focus back on serious affordable racing.”
GTC reports at least six SA teams have signed up for two cars each. The cars will run 373kW V8 engines in compact, mid-sized, rear-drive sedans. The engines will be mated to sequential gearboxes and will be uniform across the series. The choice of bodyshell is entirely up to the teams.
The series offers businesses an opportunity to buy into a franchise that provides everything needed to run a national championship. GTC reports it already has its first franchise signed in SA.
Gary Formato said: “We are introducing a revolutionary concept to global motorsport that is an exciting opportunity not only for racing fans, but sponsors and franchise owners, too.
“The purchase price and cost of running a GTC car will be significantly less than most serious touring cars currently racing in established series, but without compromising on performance, looks or build quality - we are not aware of another Touring Car series currently running 373kW V8 engines in compact, mid-sized sedan car bodies.
Once the licence fee is paid to GTC, the franchises keep all revenue until substantial profits are being made through entry fees and commercial opportunities, including TV rights and sponsorship.
Woolley said: “We want to focus our efforts on securing franchise partners in emerging motorsport markets, because the GTC offering gives our partners a very real opportunity to participate in a globally relevant motorsport series, but with all the cost benefits of running a national level series.”
WORLD CUP EVENT
Although the series will be nationally run, as the franchises expand globally, leading teams and drivers will ultimately have the opportunity to compete in a World Cup event for a cash prize.
The GTC Africa series is due begin in South Africa during the second half of 2014 with races in other African countries planned for 2016.
• Global Touring Car Series promises fans a return to real racing values with a worldwide network of championships
Earlier 2013, Wheels24 reported on a new race car destined for a new South African race series – the Global Touring Car (GTC).
In January 2014, teams are gearing up for the international series which kicks off locally later in the year.
IMAGE GALLERY: Global Touring Car racer
The series is the brainchild of managing director, established racer Gary Formato, racing engineer Vic Maharaj and executive director Mark Woolley, with the backing of chairman, entrepreneur and Michael Formato.
Gary Formato is five-time South African motorsport champion, predominantly in sedans, and is a former sports car driver who has competed in Le Mans.
‘SERIOUS AFFORDABLE RACING’
Woolley said: “Racing at the top level is often seen as a compromised mix of technology wars and team orders, and an expensive pastime for well-backed hobbyists on the tiers below.
“What the Global Touring Car (GTC) Series aim to provide is thrilling racing for true motorsport fans, and an opportunity for franchise investors to make money from a proven race series concept. “We want to bring the focus back on serious affordable racing.”
GTC reports at least six SA teams have signed up for two cars each. The cars will run 373kW V8 engines in compact, mid-sized, rear-drive sedans. The engines will be mated to sequential gearboxes and will be uniform across the series. The choice of bodyshell is entirely up to the teams.
The series offers businesses an opportunity to buy into a franchise that provides everything needed to run a national championship. GTC reports it already has its first franchise signed in SA.
Gary Formato said: “We are introducing a revolutionary concept to global motorsport that is an exciting opportunity not only for racing fans, but sponsors and franchise owners, too.
“The purchase price and cost of running a GTC car will be significantly less than most serious touring cars currently racing in established series, but without compromising on performance, looks or build quality - we are not aware of another Touring Car series currently running 373kW V8 engines in compact, mid-sized sedan car bodies.
Once the licence fee is paid to GTC, the franchises keep all revenue until substantial profits are being made through entry fees and commercial opportunities, including TV rights and sponsorship.
Woolley said: “We want to focus our efforts on securing franchise partners in emerging motorsport markets, because the GTC offering gives our partners a very real opportunity to participate in a globally relevant motorsport series, but with all the cost benefits of running a national level series.”
WORLD CUP EVENT
Although the series will be nationally run, as the franchises expand globally, leading teams and drivers will ultimately have the opportunity to compete in a World Cup event for a cash prize.
The GTC Africa series is due begin in South Africa during the second half of 2014 with races in other African countries planned for 2016.