2014 Blancpain GT series season review

In a world of endurance racing, Blancpain Endurance Series is one of most interesting and exciting championships. Established in 2011, Blancpain Endurance quickly become the only series which featured Gran Tourismo road cars and sports cars modified to FIA’s GT3 regulations. The cars are similar to European LeMans series which uses GTE cars and LeMans prototypes.

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If you remember the old FIA GT Championship (1997-2009) you will be familiar with the concept of Blancpain Endurance Series. Season is consisted of 11 race events held in Europe and one in Azerbajian and the grid is divided in five classes by FIA standards. There are GT3,GT4 and Supersport class as well as a class for professional drivers (GT3 Pro) and Gentleman racers who must use vehicles one year old. Since the grid of Blancpain Endurance races is full of cars with very different basic specifications, the series uses extensive performance balancing and weight handicaps to equalize the cars performance and dynamics.

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The cars are the next best part of this championship and the grid is filled with race machines from Audi, Mercedes, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Jaguar, Aston Martin , BMW and Bentley. It is very interesting to se a big front engined GT coupe like Bentley Continental GT compete with small mid engined sports cars from Audi or Lamborghini. It’s not just battle of drivers and teams, but a battle of different concepts and technologies.

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The 2014 season started in Monza on well known and famous race track. First race of the season was won by Gregorie Demoustier, experienced endurance driver who competes in Pro categoriy. After Italy, series moved to France, Great Britain, Netherlands and Belgium for a famous 24 hours of Spa event. Then, championship continued in Slovakia on Slovakia Ring race track, Germany, Portugal and again in Belgium on Zolder track. After European part of championship, Blancpain Endurance series moved to Midle East region, to Baku World Challenge race held in Azerbaijan.

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However, the main trophy of the series are Pro Drivers cup which consist of five races held in Europe on five famous tracks – Monza,Silverstone,Paul Ricard, Spa and Nurburgring. The Pro Drivers championship was won by Belgian driver Laurens Vanthoor who won two last races (Spa and Nurburgring) driving for Belgian Audi Club Team WRT. His Audi R8 LMS Ultra proved to be not only fastest, but most reliable car on the grid and his experience on his home track (Spa) also helped.

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For season 2015, Blancpain Endurance Series continues on the same tracks and with same propositions as in 2014. But with three more race teams and with more excitement and action. Starting from 12th of April 2015 on Monza circit, fifth season Blancpain Endurance championship should be interesting and dynamic as always with some of best GT racing cars and the best drivers out there .