24H Series organisers Creventic have announced key changes to the series’ structure for the 2018 season. Series

For next year there will be three separate series: the 24H GT Series, the 24H TCE Series and the 24H PROTO Series. For most of the events, the 24H GT Series and the 24H TCE Series will be running in the same race, with an overall 24H GT Series classification and an overall 24H TCE Series classification, and two separate prize-giving ceremonies. The 24H PROTO Series will be joining at selected events. Furthermore, the aim is to have at least one month between two races and to avoid clashes with other series. A new class structure will be introduced and there will be no more reference lap times.

Traditionally, the season gets underway with the flagship event of the Creventic powered by Hankook at Dubai Autodrome. Here, the 24H GT Series, the 24H TCE Series and the 24H PROTO Series will all be present. The action starts with the season opener of the 24H PROTO Series powered by Hankook on 5 and 6 January, 2018. The Hankook 24H DUBAI, counting towards the 24H GT Series and the 24H TCE Series, will be held on 12 and 13 January, 2018. The separate GT and touring car prize-giving ceremonies guarantee that there will be sufficient attention for both classes. For the first time, the winning touring car team in Dubai will also be able to experience the traditional camel ride to the podium ceremony!

While the final calendar planning is still ongoing and every endeavour is being made to avoid date clashes with other major series, the general plan is to have at least one month between two events, with a good mix of 12- and 24-hour races.

Most of the events will be held at circuits that are also hosting Formula 1 Grands Prix. The traditional races at Mugello in March and Silverstone in April remain, followed by a round at Circuit Paul Ricard in the south of France in June or July. After the summer break, teams get back into action at Barcelona in September, with a round at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium set for October and the event at the Circuit Of The Americas in Austin, Texas scheduled for November.

Alternative options still under consideration include the circuits of Imola in Italy, the Red Bull Ring in Austria, Brno in the Czech Republic and Portimao in Portugal. Creventic aims to have live streaming with commentary by Radiolemans.com at every round.

Also, from 2018, a separate GT4 class will be introduced with official endorsement from SRO in line with the increasing popularity of the GT4 category. For the TCR class, the existing and very successful co-operation with TCR International will remain in place.

Moreover, there will be more attention for the Porsche 991 class, with the new second-generation Porsche 991 Cup car also eligible to race in 2018. For production touring cars, a new class structure will be in place, with TCP1 for cars with an engine capacity of up to 2.5 litres and TCP2 for cars with an engine capacity of up to 3.0 litres (identical with VLN classes V4 and V5).

In line with international FIA regulations, all cars have to be equipped with an FT3 FIA safety fuel tank for the 2018 season. Meanwhile, the reference lap times used for some classes so far will no longer be in place to enhance the on-track competition.