British GT Championship
Encyclopedia
The Avon Tyres British GT Championship (previously known as the BRDC
GT Championship) is a sports car racing
series currently based in the United Kingdom
, although they have had select races outside of Britain in the past few years. The series was created by the British Racing Drivers' Club
in 1993 and for its first two seasons was called the National Sports GT Challenge. The series is currently run by the Stéphane Ratel Organisation
in conjunction with the British Formula Three Championship
, and sponsored by Avon Tyres.
As part of the evolution of the series, the GT3 class of cars were introduced in 2005. This class later became identical to the FIA GT3 European Championship
class, using nearly identical rules from 2006 onward. GT3 rules include extensive performance balancing and handicap weights to make cars artificially more equal. Due to the cost-saving measures in the class, the faster GT2 class was phased out at the end of 2006. The new FIA GT4 class will be adapted in 2008, replacing the unique GTC class that had previously been used. For 2010
, the G4 category amalgamates GT4-homologated cars and Supersport-type machines.
British Racing Drivers' Club
The British Racing Drivers' Club is a membership body which represents the interests of professional racing drivers from the United Kingdom.-Early days:...
GT Championship) is a sports car racing
Sports car racing
Sports car racing is a form of circuit auto racing with automobiles that have two seats and enclosed wheels. They may be purpose-built or related to road-going sports cars....
series currently based in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, although they have had select races outside of Britain in the past few years. The series was created by the British Racing Drivers' Club
British Racing Drivers' Club
The British Racing Drivers' Club is a membership body which represents the interests of professional racing drivers from the United Kingdom.-Early days:...
in 1993 and for its first two seasons was called the National Sports GT Challenge. The series is currently run by the Stéphane Ratel Organisation
Stéphane Ratel Organisation
The Stéphane Ratel Organisation is a motorsports organization founded by French driver Stéphane Ratel in 1995. Currently based out of London, the company is involved in the promotion, support, and organization of various national and international auto racing series around the world...
in conjunction with the British Formula Three Championship
British Formula Three Championship
The British Formula Three Championship is an international motor racing series that takes place primarily in the United Kingdom with a small number of events in mainland Europe. It is a junior-level feeder formula that uses small single seater Formula Three chassis. Its current official title is...
, and sponsored by Avon Tyres.
As part of the evolution of the series, the GT3 class of cars were introduced in 2005. This class later became identical to the FIA GT3 European Championship
FIA GT3 European Championship
The FIA GT3 European Championship is a sports car racing series organized by the Stéphane Ratel Organisation and regulated by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . It is a championship derived from the international FIA GT1 World Championship, but meant to provide competition for more...
class, using nearly identical rules from 2006 onward. GT3 rules include extensive performance balancing and handicap weights to make cars artificially more equal. Due to the cost-saving measures in the class, the faster GT2 class was phased out at the end of 2006. The new FIA GT4 class will be adapted in 2008, replacing the unique GTC class that had previously been used. For 2010
2010 British GT season
The 2010 Avon Tyres British GT season was the 18th season of the British GT Championship. The season began on April 5 at Oulton Park and finished on October 16 at Donington Park after thirteen races, twelve held in the United Kingdom as well as a single overseas event at...
, the G4 category amalgamates GT4-homologated cars and Supersport-type machines.
Champions
The following drivers have previously won the British GT championships in their respective classes. An overall championship for all classes combined was also awarded until 1998, and those champions are marked with italics.| Year | Class | Champion | Car |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | A |  Charlie CoxCharlie Cox (racing) Charlie Cox , a motorcycling commentator, was brought up in the Sydney suburb of Gymea.-Racing career:His background is based on 4 wheels rather than 2. He raced in the National Saloon Car Cup in Britain using a Ford Escort RS Cosworth in 1993 and 1994, winning several races. He also won the... |
Ford Escort RS Cosworth Ford Escort RS Cosworth The Ford Escort RS Cosworth was a sports derivative of the Ford Escort. It was available from 1992-96 in very limited numbers.It was instantly recognisable due to its large "whale tail" rear spoiler... |
| B |  Nigel Barrett |
Porsche 911 Porsche 911 The Porsche 911 is a luxury 2-door sports coupe made by Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany. It has a distinctive design, rear-engined and with independent rear suspension, an evolution of the swing axle on the Porsche 356. The engine was also air-cooled until the introduction of the Type 996 in 1998... Carrera SC |
|
| C | John Greasley |
Porsche 935 Porsche 935 The Porsche 935 was introduced in 1976, as the factory racing version of the Porsche 911 turbo prepared for FIA-Group 5 rules. It was an evolution of the Porsche Carrera RSR 2.1 turbo prototype which had scored 2nd overall in the 1974 24 Hours of Le Mans.... Replica |
|
| D |  Thorkild Thyrring |
Lotus Esprit S300 | |
| 1994 | A | Ross Hyett |
Porsche 935 Porsche 935 The Porsche 935 was introduced in 1976, as the factory racing version of the Porsche 911 turbo prepared for FIA-Group 5 rules. It was an evolution of the Porsche Carrera RSR 2.1 turbo prototype which had scored 2nd overall in the 1974 24 Hours of Le Mans.... Replica |
| B | Thorkild Thyrring |
Lotus Esprit S300 | |
| C | Nigel Barrett |
Porsche 911 Porsche 911 The Porsche 911 is a luxury 2-door sports coupe made by Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany. It has a distinctive design, rear-engined and with independent rear suspension, an evolution of the swing axle on the Porsche 356. The engine was also air-cooled until the introduction of the Type 996 in 1998... Carrera SC Porsche 911 Porsche 911 The Porsche 911 is a luxury 2-door sports coupe made by Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany. It has a distinctive design, rear-engined and with independent rear suspension, an evolution of the swing axle on the Porsche 356. The engine was also air-cooled until the introduction of the Type 996 in 1998... Carrera RS |
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| 1995 | GT1 | Thorkild Thyrring |
De Tomaso Pantera De Tomaso Pantera The Pantera was a sports car produced by the De Tomaso car company of Italy from 1971 to 1991, the last one being delivered to a customer in 1992.The word "Pantera" is Italian for "Panther".-History:... |
| GT2 | Chris Hodgetts Chris Hodgetts Chris Hodgetts is a British former racing driver.Hodgetts debuted in the British Touring Car Championship in 1980. His first overall podium place came in 1981 when he came second. He was consistent in the top five after that. He came fourth in 1983, fifth in 1984, second in 1985, before winning... |
Marcos Marcos (automobile) Marcos was a British sports car manufacturer. The name was a combination of founders Jem Marsh and Frank Costin.-History:Marcos was founded in Luton, in Bedfordshire, England, in 1959 by Jem Marsh and Frank Costin. Frank Costin had earlier worked on the De Havilland Mosquito fighter-bombers and... LM600 |
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| 1996 | GT1 | Ian Flux Jake Ulrich |
McLaren F1 GTR McLaren F1 GTR The McLaren F1 GTR was a racing variant of the McLaren F1 sports car first produced in 1995 for grand touring style racing, such as the BPR Global GT Series, FIA GT Championship, JGTC, and British GT Championship. It is most famous for its overall victory at the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans where it... |
| GT2 | David Warnock Robert Schirle |
Marcos Marcos (automobile) Marcos was a British sports car manufacturer. The name was a combination of founders Jem Marsh and Frank Costin.-History:Marcos was founded in Luton, in Bedfordshire, England, in 1959 by Jem Marsh and Frank Costin. Frank Costin had earlier worked on the De Havilland Mosquito fighter-bombers and... LM600 |
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| GT3 | Ken Thompson |
Darrian Davrian Davrian cars were built at 65 North Street, Clapham in London, England from 1967 to 1976, in Tregaron, Dyfed, Wales from 1976 to 1980 and Lampeter, Dyfed, from 1980 to 1983.Adrian Evans Davrian cars were built at 65 North Street, Clapham in London, England from 1967 to 1976, in Tregaron, Dyfed,... T90 |
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| 1997 | GT1 | John Morrison John Greasley |
Porsche 911 GT1 Porsche 911 GT1 The Porsche 911 GT1 was a car designed for competition in the GT1 class of sportscar racing, which also required a street legal version for homologation purposes... |
| GT2 | Steve O'Rourke Steve O'Rourke Steve O'Rourke was born in Willesden, London, England. He was well known for being manager of the highly influential rock band Pink Floyd after the departure of Syd Barrett in 1968 until his death. He also had to weather the band's falling-out with member Roger Waters.He first managed Pink Floyd... Tim SugdenTim Sugden Tim Sugden is a British racing driver. He is both driver and manager for his own racing team, Tim Sugden Motorsport.-Early career:... |
Porsche 911 GT2 Porsche 911 GT2 The Porsche 911 GT2 is a sports car built by the German manufacturer Porsche since 1994. It is based on the 911 Turbo, and uses a similar twin-turbocharged engine, but features numerous upgrades, including engine upgrades, larger brakes, and stiffer suspension calibration... |
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| GT3 | Simon Tate |
Marcos Marcos (automobile) Marcos was a British sports car manufacturer. The name was a combination of founders Jem Marsh and Frank Costin.-History:Marcos was founded in Luton, in Bedfordshire, England, in 1959 by Jem Marsh and Frank Costin. Frank Costin had earlier worked on the De Havilland Mosquito fighter-bombers and... LM500 |
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| 1998 | GT1 | Steve O'Rourke Steve O'Rourke Steve O'Rourke was born in Willesden, London, England. He was well known for being manager of the highly influential rock band Pink Floyd after the departure of Syd Barrett in 1968 until his death. He also had to weather the band's falling-out with member Roger Waters.He first managed Pink Floyd... Tim SugdenTim Sugden Tim Sugden is a British racing driver. He is both driver and manager for his own racing team, Tim Sugden Motorsport.-Early career:... |
McLaren F1 GTR McLaren F1 GTR The McLaren F1 GTR was a racing variant of the McLaren F1 sports car first produced in 1995 for grand touring style racing, such as the BPR Global GT Series, FIA GT Championship, JGTC, and British GT Championship. It is most famous for its overall victory at the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans where it... |
| GT2 | Kurt Luby Richard Dean |
Chrysler Viper GTS-R Chrysler Viper GTS-R The Chrysler Viper GTS-R was a successful racing variant of the Dodge Viper developed in conjunction with Chrysler of North America, Oreca of France, and Reynard Motorsport of the United Kingdom. Officially unveiled at the 1995 Pebble Beach Concours, it has won numerous championships and famous... |
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| 1999 | GT1 | Julian Bailey Julian Bailey Julian Bailey is a former Formula One driver who raced for the Tyrrell and Lotus teams.Although born in the United Kingdom, he was raised in Menorca, Spain, and became an accomplished Formula Ford 1600 racer in Britain, winning the important Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch... Jamie Campbell-WalterJamie Campbell-Walter Jamie Campbell-Walter is a British professional racing driver. He was born in Oban, Scotland in 16 December 1972. He won the FIA GT Championship in 2000.-Family:... |
Lister Storm GTL |
| GT2 | David Warnock |
Porsche 911 GT2 Porsche 911 GT2 The Porsche 911 GT2 is a sports car built by the German manufacturer Porsche since 1994. It is based on the 911 Turbo, and uses a similar twin-turbocharged engine, but features numerous upgrades, including engine upgrades, larger brakes, and stiffer suspension calibration... Lister Storm |
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| 2000 | GT | Calum Lockie |
Marcos Marcos (automobile) Marcos was a British sports car manufacturer. The name was a combination of founders Jem Marsh and Frank Costin.-History:Marcos was founded in Luton, in Bedfordshire, England, in 1959 by Jem Marsh and Frank Costin. Frank Costin had earlier worked on the De Havilland Mosquito fighter-bombers and... LM600 |
| GTO | Mark Sumpter |
Porsche 911 GT3 Porsche 911 GT3 The Porsche 911 GT3 is a higher performance version of the Porsche 911 sports car. It is the latest in a line of high performance models, beginning with the 1973 911 RS... -R |
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| 2001 | GT | David Warnock Mike Jordan Mike Jordan Michael Jordan is a British racing driver who competed in various classes of saloon and sportscar racing. He will compete for his own JordanSport.co.uk team in the 2009 Britcar Production Championship... |
Lister Storm |
| GTO | Kelvin Burt Kelvin Burt Kelvin Burt is a British auto racing driver. After attending the Jim Russell Racing Drivers' School in 1987 he turned to Formula Ford racing, battling hard against David Coulthard for the championship... Marino FranchittiMarino Franchitti Marino Alessandro Cesare Franchitti is a Scottish race car driver, and the younger brother of Dario Franchitti... |
Porsche 911 GT3 Porsche 911 GT3 The Porsche 911 GT3 is a higher performance version of the Porsche 911 sports car. It is the latest in a line of high performance models, beginning with the 1973 911 RS... -RS |
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| 2002 | GT | Ian MacKellar Thomas ErdosThomas Erdos Thomas "Tommy" Erdos is a Brazilian auto racing driver. He has raced for most of his career in Great Britain and Europe, where he currently resides in Buckinghamshire England with his wife and two children.-Early career:... |
Saleen S7 Saleen S7 The Saleen S7 is a limited-production, hand-built, high-performance American supercar developed jointly by Steve Saleen for the initial concept and direction, Hidden Creek Industries for resources and initial funding, Phil Frank for the body and interior CAD design and development, and Ray Mallock... -R |
| GTO | Jamie Davies |
Ferrari 360 Ferrari 360 The Ferrari 360 is a mid-engine midsize two-seater sports car produced from late 1999 until 2005. The 360 replaced the Ferrari F355 and was itself replaced by the fairly similar Ferrari F430... N-GT |
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| 2003 | GTO | Tom Herridge |
Mosler MT900 Mosler MT900 The MT900 is a sports car built in the United States and the United Kingdom by Mosler. Three submodels have also been produced. The MT900R was a racing version of the MT900. The basic car was updated as the MT900S for 2005, with the MT900S Photon being its racing variant. The original MT900 was... R |
| GT Cup | Matt Griffin Patrick Pearce |
Porsche 911 GT3 Porsche 911 GT3 The Porsche 911 GT3 is a higher performance version of the Porsche 911 sports car. It is the latest in a line of high performance models, beginning with the 1973 911 RS... Cup |
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| 2004 | N-GT | Jonathan Cocker |
Porsche 911 GT3 Porsche 911 GT3 The Porsche 911 GT3 is a higher performance version of the Porsche 911 sports car. It is the latest in a line of high performance models, beginning with the 1973 911 RS... -RSR |
| GT Cup |  Ni AmorimNi Amorim Nuno Amorim, better known as Ni Amorim, is a racecar driver born in Porto, Portugal on March 1, 1962.-National career:Amorim started competing in circuit racing and rallying in 1982, but in the mid-1980s he was almost exclusively a touring car racing driver, becoming a mainstay in various one-make... Adam Wilcox |
Ferrari 360 Ferrari 360 The Ferrari 360 is a mid-engine midsize two-seater sports car produced from late 1999 until 2005. The 360 replaced the Ferrari F355 and was itself replaced by the fairly similar Ferrari F430... Challenge |
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| 2005 | GT2 | Andrew Kirkaldy Nathan Kinch |
Ferrari 360 Ferrari 360 The Ferrari 360 is a mid-engine midsize two-seater sports car produced from late 1999 until 2005. The 360 replaced the Ferrari F355 and was itself replaced by the fairly similar Ferrari F430... GTC |
| GT3 | Piers Masarati Dimitris Deverikos |
Porsche 911 GT3 Porsche 911 GT3 The Porsche 911 GT3 is a higher performance version of the Porsche 911 sports car. It is the latest in a line of high performance models, beginning with the 1973 911 RS... Cup |
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| 2006 2006 British GT season The 2006 British GT season consisted of a fourteen-round series of sports car racing in the British GT Championship. The season consisted of two 2-hour enduros at Donington Park & Silverstone, with 4 other double 1 hour-race events held in England, 2 in France and 1 in Ireland... |
GT2 |  Chris Niarchos Tim Mullen |
Ferrari F430 Ferrari F430 The Ferrari F430 is a sports car that was produced by the Italian automaker Ferrari from 2004 to 2009, as a successor to the 360. It debuted at the 2004 Paris Motor Show... GT2 |
| GT3 |  Leo Machitski |
Aston Martin DBRS9 Aston Martin DBRS9 The Aston Martin DBRS9 is a racing car built by Aston Martin Racing to be a cheaper alternative to the Aston Martin DBR9, both of which are based on the Aston Martin DB9. The DBRS9 is the only GT3 class car produced by Aston Martin and was introduced in 2005.... |
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| GTC | Matt Allison Jonny Lang |
Porsche 911 GT3 Porsche 911 GT3 The Porsche 911 GT3 is a higher performance version of the Porsche 911 sports car. It is the latest in a line of high performance models, beginning with the 1973 911 RS... Cup |
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| 2007 2007 British GT season The 2007 British GT season consisted of a fourteen-round series of sports car racing in the British GT Championship. Each race meeting consisted of two one-hour endurance races, except for those at Snetterton and Silverstone, which were both single two-hour races. All of the races took place in... |
GT3 | Bradley Ellis Alex Mortimer |
Dodge Viper Dodge Viper The first prototype was tested in January 1989. It debuted in 1991 with two pre-production models as the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 when Dodge was forced to substitute it in place of the Japanese-built Stealth because of complaints from the United Auto Workers, and went on sale in January... Competition Coupe |
| GTC | Jamie Smyth Graeme Mundy |
Porsche 911 GT3 Porsche 911 GT3 The Porsche 911 GT3 is a higher performance version of the Porsche 911 sports car. It is the latest in a line of high performance models, beginning with the 1973 911 RS... Cup |
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| 2008 2008 British GT season The 2008 British GT season was the 16th season of the British GT Championship. This was the first season with the new GT4 category, replacing the GTC category of previous years... |
GT3 | James Gornall Jon Barnes |
Dodge Viper Dodge Viper The first prototype was tested in January 1989. It debuted in 1991 with two pre-production models as the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 when Dodge was forced to substitute it in place of the Japanese-built Stealth because of complaints from the United Auto Workers, and went on sale in January... Competition Coupe |
| GT4 | Matt Nicoll-Jones Stewart Linn |
Ginetta G50 Ginetta G50 Ginetta G50 is a specialist GT4 class-developed racing car, designed by Ginetta Cars.-Development:In late 2007, in what he later described as his Victor Kiam moment, Leeds-based businessman Lawrence Tomlinson bough Ginetta Cars from the group of enthusiasts, who themselves had bought it out of... |
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| 2009 2009 British GT season The 2009 Avon Tyres British GT season was the 17th season of the British GT Championship. The season began at Oulton Park's Easter Monday meeting, and finished on September 20 at Brands Hatch after 14 races. 2009 saw the debut of the new Supersport class. Twins David and Godfrey Jones won the GT3... |
GT3 | David Jones Godfrey Jones |
Ascari KZ1-R Ascari KZ1 -Modifications:The Ascari KZ1 has been adapted for racing, primarily being featured in the new FIA GT3 European Championship as well as other smaller national series which run a similar formula. These cars, known as the KZ1-R,are similar to the KZ1, but vastly improved. The most obvious... |
| GT4 | Jody Firth |
Ginetta G50 Ginetta G50 Ginetta G50 is a specialist GT4 class-developed racing car, designed by Ginetta Cars.-Development:In late 2007, in what he later described as his Victor Kiam moment, Leeds-based businessman Lawrence Tomlinson bough Ginetta Cars from the group of enthusiasts, who themselves had bought it out of... |
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| SS | Marcus Clutton Phil Keen |
KTM X-Bow KTM X-Bow The KTM X-Bow is the first car to be developed by Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM, in partnership with Kiska Design, Audi, and Dallara. The X-Bow uses a turbocharged direct injected TFSI engine manufactured by Volkswagen Group, which produces at 5500 rpm and of torque between 2000 and... |
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| 2010 2010 British GT season The 2010 Avon Tyres British GT season was the 18th season of the British GT Championship. The season began on April 5 at Oulton Park and finished on October 16 at Donington Park after thirteen races, twelve held in the United Kingdom as well as a single overseas event at... |
GT3 | David Ashburn |
Porsche 997 GT3 R Porsche 911 GT3 The Porsche 911 GT3 is a higher performance version of the Porsche 911 sports car. It is the latest in a line of high performance models, beginning with the 1973 911 RS... |
| GT4 | Christian Dick Jamie Stanley |
Ginetta G50 Ginetta G50 Ginetta G50 is a specialist GT4 class-developed racing car, designed by Ginetta Cars.-Development:In late 2007, in what he later described as his Victor Kiam moment, Leeds-based businessman Lawrence Tomlinson bough Ginetta Cars from the group of enthusiasts, who themselves had bought it out of... |