Pirelli World Challenge’s return to Portland saw President and CEO Greg Gill present the teams with details of a 2019 programme which sees distinct changes in race formats and calendar for the Series’ 30th year.

Whilst the full calendar will be revealed on Friday 27 July at the annual SRO press conference at the Spa 24 Hours, a reduced and “refocused” seven race schedule for the premier GT class is confirmed with a new 90 minute / two driver race format, and “a new exciting finale”.

The switch sees the 2018 10 race format (including the combined PWC and SprintX formats) dialled back to seven events but with the longer race format recovering some of the lost track time, and, with the time split across fewer race meetings, offering “drivers more time behind the wheel and less time away from home and business”.

The new format will be for GT3 cars only.

It is not yet clear whether the finale will see the integration of the 8 hour IGTC race at Laguna Seca into the calendar, or another race format.

The change comes after the views of competitors were polled by PWC/ SRO.

GTS Pirelli World Challenge

GTS Pirelli World Challenge will retain a one-driver sprint competition.

A 50-minute format will also be retained, with drivers up to Gold classification eligible to compete in the series.

Next to the overall podium, Silver and Bronze drivers will be awarded with separate podiums. The 2019 calendar is set to feature eight race weekends. A number of these will be shared with Pirelli GT World Challenge, including the season finale.

GT4 America: New East and West Regional Series

The recent global success of the GT4 format, combined with the need for a more regional, cost effective offering has led to the creation of two new Series for 2019.

GT4 America East and GT4 America West “will provide time efficient options for teams and drivers based on both sides of the United States, each consisting of five race weekends. They will use the SprintX format and be reserved for two-driver Pro-Am (silver/bronze) and Am (bronze/bronze) line-ups.

“Each region will award its own title, with no overall championship available.”

TC Pirelli World Challenge

“The introduction of the TCR class has proven popular with competitors, fans and manufacturers alike.

“This success will be built upon in 2019 with an expansion to seven race weekends, while the customer sport nature of the three TC classes – TCR, TC and TCA – will be enforced.

“Having already produced excellent racing, SRO Motorsports Group and WC Vision now wish to give the TC categories a chance to flourish with a distinctive identity and marketing.”

Stephane Ratel, Founder and CEO of SRO Motorsports Group: “This is an exciting time for the Pirelli World Challenge as it becomes more closely integrated with the global SRO Motorsports Group platform. I believe that what we presented today reflects the wishes of our drivers and teams, while also retaining the fundamental values that have made the series popular with fans across America.

“By delivering on the feedback that we received and using our own experience, I am confident that we will see the Pirelli World Challenge grow even stronger in the years to come.”

Greg Gill, CEO and President of WC Vision LLC: “Heading into our 30th year, we have listened to the teams’ feedback on the classes of racing they wanted and the venues where they wish to compete.

“We will honour our Pirelli World Challenge heritage with single-driver sprint events in the GTS class while attempting to grow the GT3 category at the forefront of American motorsports.

“We will also expand the GT4 format to regional East and West categories, which I am certain will attract more local drivers to become part of the Pirelli World Challenge family.”