With the 2019 edition of the Laguna Seca California 8 Hours set for March 30-31, the calendar for the fourth season of the Intercontinental GT Challenge is now complete. For the first time in its history, the only global championship reserved for GT cars will race on all five continents.
During his press conference at the final round of the Blancpain GT Series in Barcelona, Stephane Ratel confirmed next year’s date for the Laguna Seca California 8 Hours, which will now take place during the first half of the season. The first two editions of the American round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge have taken place at the end of the season – with the upcoming finale on October 26-28 2018 deciding both Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ championships and the Bronze Drivers title fight.
The date for the third edition of the Laguna Seca California 8 Hours is now set for March 30-31. One of the advantages of this springtime date is that teams competing in the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour (February 2-3) will now have an easier time to transport their equipment to the United States.
After the traditional Australian season opener and the third edition of the longest race on the iconic Laguna Seca circuit, it’s time for the biggest GT race on the planet: during the last weekend of July the 71st edition of the Total 24 Hours of Spa will be organised.
After the success of the inaugural Suzuka 10 Hours in 2018, the second edition of the Asian round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge will be something to look forward to. Just like this year it will be the penultimate round of the championship.
And as previously announced, the 2019 Intercontinental GT Challenge will end with a new round on the African continent, the revived and prestigious Kyalami 9 Hours. The race on the former South African Grand Prix track took place in the 1960s to 1980s and was contested by legendary cars such as the Ferrari 250 GT0 or the Porsche 917. Former Kyalami 9 Hours winners include Jacky Ickx, Jochen Mass, Brian Redman and Clay Regazzoni.
2019 Intercontinental GT Challenge Calendar:
February 2-3: Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour
March 30-31: Laguna Seca California 8 Hours
July 27-28: Total 24 Hours of Spa
August 24-25: Suzuka 10 Hours
November 2-3: Kyalami 9 Hours
