About Us

About Us: GT Cup Championship

The GT Cup Championship, founded in 2007 by Marc Haynes, has become a cornerstone of the UK motorsport scene. Designed as a premium GT sprint series, the GT Cup is the championship of choice for sporting drivers who value professional racing, camaraderie, and fun.

What sets the GT Cup apart is its commitment to delivering a driver-focused experience that emphasizes sportsmanship and enjoyment. With access to the UK’s top-tier circuits, professional service, and an inclusive, friendly paddock, the GT Cup aspires to exceed expectations and delight drivers, teams, families, and supporters alike.

Why Race with GT Cup?

Dynamic Format for 2025

To keep the championship fresh and exciting, 2025 introduces a revised format at select events:

• Traditional Format:
  • Four events with 1 x 25-minute sprint race and 1 x 50-minute pit-stop race on both Saturday and Sunday.
• Revised Format:
  • Donington (March) and Silverstone (August) will feature:
    • Saturday: 2 x 25-minute sprint races.
    • Sunday: 1 x 100-minute endurance race (with refuelling using dump churns).
  • Combined warm-up and qualifying sessions, offering 45 minutes of dynamic preparation.

Inclusivity and Opportunity

The GT Cup welcomes a wide variety of GT cars, dividing the grid into six groups based on maximum lap time potential. This ensures competitive and thrilling racing while allowing older GT models to continue racing beyond their typical lifecycle.

Nurturing Talent

With its focus on amateur drivers, the GT Cup fosters the development of racecraft and provides an ideal stepping stone for those aspiring to national and international racing series like British GT, Blancpain, and WEC.

Categories and Cars

The championship’s grid is divided into six Groups, allowing for diverse machinery to compete on an equal footing:

1. GTO – Open specification for unique or low-volume GT cars, including GTE, GT2, and retired FIA GT3 models.
2. GT3 – Current FIA homologated GT3 cars.
3. GTC – Recent manufacturer of Challenge and Cup cars (within five years).
4. GTB – Older manufacturer Challenge and Cup cars or modified saloon-based GT vehicles.
5. GTH – Current homologated GT4 cars.
6. GTA – Lower-spec Cup and Challenge cars, or GT4 cars no longer homologated.

Drivers and Licenses

The GT Cup is open to amateur drivers, prioritizing fun, skill development, and racing enjoyment. It also welcomes driver coaches or professionals to partner with amateur drivers as part of a two-driver team, supporting aspirations for endurance racing.

• Minimum License: Race National B (Club).
• Whether you're a novice or a seasoned professional, the GT Cup offers a welcoming, competitive environment.

Awards and Recognition

The GT Cup rewards excellence and sportsmanship through various prizes and accolades:

• Race Day Awards:
  • Group Winners receive Pirelli Winner’s Caps and champagne on the podium.
  • Trophies for all placed drivers are presented at the hospitality race centre after each race day, alongside awards for Driver of the Day and Team of the Weekend.
• Championship Awards Night:
  • Celebrate the season with fine dining, entertainment, and recognition for outstanding contributions.
  • Special awards include:
    • Sprint Challenge Cup for top amateur sprint race performance.
    • Sparkies Cup, honouring the spirit of GT Cup, named after founder Marc Haynes.
• British Formula One Grand Prix Experience:
  • Group Winners receive an exclusive VIP weekend at Silverstone, courtesy of Pirelli.

Tyres and Costs

• Tyre Supplier: Pirelli, marking its 16th season with the GT Cup.
• Tyres Allowed:
  • Slicks (up to three sets per weekend) and wet tyres for varying conditions.
  • Pre-heating is permitted to maximize performance.

Why Choose GT Cup?

Whether you're looking to hone your skills, enjoy competitive racing, or take the next step in your motorsport career, the GT Cup Championship delivers the best of professional club racing in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Spaces are in high demand—register now to secure your place on the grid and experience the thrill of GT racing at its finest.

For more details, contact Hannah James at hannah@butemotorsport.com.