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GT3 Racing

Car culture term

GT3 Racing
Photo: Matti Blume / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

What is GT3 Racing?

A globally popular class of production-based GT race cars, balanced so that many different manufacturers can compete on near-equal terms.

GT3 is a category of grand touring race cars based on road-going supercars and sports cars, introduced by the FIA in 2006. It has become one of the most successful and widespread racing classes in the world, used in sprint and endurance series on every continent.

The defining feature of GT3 is Balance of Performance, or BoP, a system that adjusts factors such as power, weight and aerodynamics so that very different cars, from Ferraris and Porsches to Audis and Lamborghinis, can race competitively against one another. This keeps grids large, varied and closely matched.

GT3 cars are genuine racing machines with stripped interiors, roll cages, slick tyres and aero, yet they remain recognisably related to their road counterparts. The class is central to events like the Nurburgring and Spa 24 Hours and is popular with professional and gentleman drivers alike.

Related terms

Le MansEndurance racingDownforceRoll cageHomologation

Frequently asked questions

What is GT3 racing?
GT3 is a global class of production-based GT race cars, balanced so that many different manufacturers can compete on near-equal terms.
What is Balance of Performance?
Balance of Performance, or BoP, adjusts power, weight and aero between different cars so they can race competitively against each other.
Are GT3 cars based on road cars?
Yes, they are based on road-going supercars and sports cars but heavily modified with race aero, slick tyres and safety equipment.
Where is GT3 used?
GT3 cars race in sprint and endurance series worldwide, including famous 24-hour races at Spa and the Nurburgring.
When was GT3 introduced?
The FIA introduced the GT3 category in 2006, and it has since become one of the most popular racing classes globally.

GT3 Racing on the blog

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