The Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup, Blancpain GT Series Asia, and Pirelli World Challenge will be linked by a new manufacturer title known as the Blancpain GT World Challenge.
Under the new competition, drivers will earn points for manufacturers across the three series, culminating in an overall manufacturer winner at the end of the year.
The title does not affect championships within each of the three series, which will be renamed the Blancpain GT World Challenge Europe, Blancpain GT World Challenge Asia, and Blancpain GT World Challenge America.
However, manufacturers will now be able to nominate a driver from each series, from each level of driver ranking (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze), to score points for the Blancpain GT World Challenge (12 drivers in total per manufacturer).
SRO has likened the Blancpain GT World Challenge to the Intercontinental GT Challenge, in which manufacturers compete through teams across a series of endurance races, starting each year with the Bathurst 12 Hour.
“The IGTC is about manufacturer entries, but the World Challenge is a trophy for the manufacturers that’s about customer racing around the world,” said SRO boss Stephane Ratel.
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“I have spoken to our manufacturers and they like the idea.
“We are not dreaming about having 10 manufacturers initially, but if we have three manufacturers signing up for the World Challenge next year we will be happy.”
SRO has also finalised the calendar for next year’s now renamed Blancpain GT World Challenge Asia, setting the finale in Shanghai down for September 21-22.
See below for IGTC, GT World Challenge calendars
UPDATE: Date changes for Kyalami 9 Hours, Asia series Shanghai round (updated below)
Intercontinental GT Challenge 2019 Calendar
| Date | Race |
| Feb 2-3 | Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour |
| Mar 30-31 | California 8 Hours |
| Jul 27-28 | Total 24 Hours of Spa |
| Aug 24-25 | Suzuka 10 Hours |
| Nov 22-23 | Kyalami 9 Hours |
Blancpain GT Series/Blancpain GT World Challenge Europe 2019 Calendar
| Date | Event | |
| Mar 13-14 | Paul Ricard Tests | |
| Apr 13-14 | Monza | Endurance Cup |
| May 4-5 | Brands Hatch | GT World Challenge |
| May 11-12 | Silverstone | Endurance Cup |
| May 24-26 | Red Bull Ring | GT World Challenge |
| May 31-Jun 1 | Circuit Paul Ricard | Endurance Cup |
| Jun 28-30 | Misano | GT World Challenge |
| Jul 3 | Spa Test Day | |
| Jul 25-28 | Total 24 Hours of Spa | Endurance Cup |
| Aug 31-Sep 1 | Nürburgring | Endurance Cup |
| Sep 6-8 | Budapest | GT World Challenge |
| Sep 27-29 | Barcelona | GT World Challenge |
Blancpain GT World Challenge Asia
| Date | Event |
| Apr 6-7 | Sepang |
| May 11-12 | Buriram |
| Jun 22-23 | Suzuka |
| Jul 6-7 | Fuji |
| Aug 3-4 | Yeongam |
| Sep 27-28 | Shanghai |
Blancpain GT World Challenge America
| Date | Event |
| Mar 2-3 | COTA |
| Apr 27-28 | VIR |
| May 18-19 | CTMP |
| Jun 8-9 | Sonoma |
| Aug 31-Sep 1 | Watkins Glen |
| Sep 21-22 | Road America |
| Oct 19-20 | Grand Finale (Track TBA) |
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