The Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo has been revealed for 2026, and I have the details in today’s Racecraft & Race Cars Roundup. I also have a slew of 2026 calendar announcements, some racecraft tips and details on Ginetta’s new G56 GT2 car. All this and more!
Racecraft Tips & Techniques
The article “Speed Secrets: Fast, Fast and New” by Ross Bentley discusses strategies for quickly adapting to a new car in racing. Bentley shares his experience of racing a Miata without prior laps in the car and emphasizes the importance of preparation. He outlines three key areas to focus on: understanding the car, the track, and racecraft. The article suggests that drivers should learn about the car’s braking capabilities first, gradually pushing their limits to gain confidence. Bentley encourages thorough preparation through videos, simulators, and coaching to minimize the learning curve when driving a new vehicle. For more details, you can read the full article here.
The article “The Best Steering Wheel Hand Position” from Grassroots Motorsports discusses optimal hand positions for steering while driving. It emphasizes the importance of the 9-3 hand position as a foundational grip for drivers, which helps maintain control and consistency. The article also explores variations in hand positioning, such as shuffle steering, which can be beneficial in certain situations, particularly in tight corners. The discussion includes insights from various drivers and instructors, highlighting that while the 9-3 position is a good starting point, individual comfort and driving style may lead to adaptations over time. For more details, you can read the full article here.
Race Car & Series Developments
Ferrari has revealed the 296 GT3 Evo, a comprehensively updated version of its GT3 race car, set to compete in GT3-eligible championships starting in 2026. The Evo model features significant advancements in aerodynamics, cooling, and reliability, while retaining the original 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo engine. These updates address performance needs identified during the initial seasons of the 296 GT3, aiming to improve stability, driver comfort, and overall competitiveness, building upon the car’s already impressive track record of victories.
The FIA has released a video explaining its GT3 homologation process, coinciding with a busy month of 24-hour races for GT3 cars. This customer racing formula has become one of the most successful in history, with recent races including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Nürburgring, and Spa. The video highlights the rigorous process behind ensuring fair competition among GT3 competitors.
The 2026 British GT Championship calendar has been announced by SRO, featuring six race meetings, a reduction from the previous seven. The season will commence at Silverstone in late April, followed by races at Oulton Park, Spa-Francorchamps, Snetterton, Donington Park, and Brands Hatch. This change reflects the current economic climate, with the season opener shifting from Donington Park to Silverstone.
The 2026 Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) series schedule has been revealed, beginning in February with the Bathurst 12 Hour and concluding in October at the Indianapolis 8 Hour. This schedule avoids clashes with other major endurance races and includes familiar races like the Nürburgring 24 Hours, Spa 24 Hours, and Suzuka 1000km. SRO aims for a stable calendar and prioritizes growing existing events, particularly Suzuka, over expanding the series’ footprint.
The 2026 GT World Challenge Europe schedule has been revealed, featuring a shift in the season finale venue to the Autódromo do Algarve in Portugal. The calendar maintains a mix of Endurance and Sprint Cup races across various circuits, with the traditional season opener at Paul Ricard preceded by the Prologue. Notable changes include the Portimao finale and the return of Zandvoort, while the possibility of a Jeddah race remains uncertain. The GT2 and GT4 European Series will also be supporting the main series across multiple rounds.
The 2026 GT World Challenge Asia calendar has been announced, featuring a return to Shanghai International Circuit after being absent in 2025. The season will kick off in Malaysia and Indonesia before heading to China and then Japan for two ‘GT PowerTour’ rounds. The Beijing street race will serve as the season finale in October.
SRO America has unveiled the provisional 2026 calendar for the GT World Challenge America series, featuring a new three-hour endurance race format, replacing the previous sprint race structure. The schedule includes prominent circuits like Sonoma, COTA, and Sebring. Changes also encompass a new Cup class for one-make racers in GT America, and a streamlined format for TC America races. Additional details regarding the season will be released at Road America in August.
GT America powered by AWS will introduce a new Cup class for single-make cars, alongside its existing GT3, GT2, and GT4 platforms. The 2026 GT America season will feature seven events mirroring the GT World Challenge America, including races at Sonoma Raceway, Circuit of The Americas, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. GT4 America’s 2026 schedule remains unchanged from 2025, maintaining its three-hour Lone Star Enduro at Circuit of The Americas.
The SRO GT2 European Series is undergoing significant changes for the 2026 season aimed at increasing car counts and promoting young drivers. These changes include a new Silver driver pairing class, the launch of an SRO GT Academy with support from Maserati, Mercedes-AMG, and Pirelli, and the potential addition of a three-hour endurance race at Spa. Stéphane Ratel, head of SRO, aims to revitalize the series by adapting the format and fostering talent development, with a strong commitment to manufacturers and the future of GT2 racing. The calendar for the 2026 season has also been finalized.
A full calendar for the new GT3 Revival Series was one of the announcements made by Stéphane Ratel during his CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa press conference. The GT3 Revival Series will be run in collaboration between Peter Auto and SRO, which will draw upon era-specific archives to provide the Balance of Performance. It will debut in 2026 using cars homologated from 2006 through 2013, with eligible machinery including crowd pleasers such as the Aston Martin DBRS9, BMW Z4, Ford Matech GT, Nissan GT-R NISMO and Mercedes SLS AMG.
The Formula Regional Oceania series is introducing significant changes for the 2026 season, including push-to-pass technology for an extra horsepower boost and an expanded allocation of Pirelli tires per driver. The series will adopt the “Trophy” moniker with a condensed four-round calendar, featuring four races per event (excluding the New Zealand Grand Prix), and split weekends for qualifying and racing. These changes, along with new race distances and special trophies, are designed to enhance the racing experience and strategic elements.
SRO Motorsports Australia has announced its provisional GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS calendar for 2026, with six rounds set to make up the season. With the provisional calendar having been announced as part of SRO Motorsport’s global calendar reveal at the famous CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, GT World Challenge Australia will lead the Shannons SpeedSeries for its first five rounds in 2026, including a historic visit to the Northern Territory.
SRO Motorsports Australia has announced a provisional six-round calendar for the 2026 Monochrome GT4 Australia season. Following a record start to the 2025 season for Monochrome GT4 Australia, the series will once again play a significant role in the Shannons SpeedSeries in 2026 as a landmark visit to the Northern Territory and the season finale headliner highlight the exciting calendar.
Supercars and the Bathurst Regional Council have announced the signing of a deal that will see the Bathurst 12 Hour continued for at least another decade. “I want to thank Bathurst Regional Council for their partnership with the Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour extending our agreement long-term,” said event director Shane Rudzis.
Ford is expanding its single-make racing platform with the introduction of Mustang Cup Australia in 2026, following the successful international debut of the Dark Horse R at Le Mans. This new series, a partnership with Driving Solutions and sanctioned by Motorsport Australia, will utilize the Dark Horse R and offer a unique format allowing for shared driving duties. The Mustang Cup Australia aims to bridge the gap between entry-level and professional racing, providing a feeder system within the Australian motorsport landscape.
Stephane Ratel, founder of SRO Motorsports Group, emphasizes the importance of local GT3 team support for the Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC). The goal is to increase car counts at events like the Indianapolis 8 Hour and Bathurst 12 Hour. Despite a five-round championship featuring the return of Suzuka, economic factors and the introduction of the LMGT3 class in the FIA WEC have impacted manufacturer support. Ratel also indicates that the IGTC will remain a five-round championship for the foreseeable future.
The SUPER GT race at Sepang is planning a GT500 wildcard entry for next year’s event, marking a first in the series’ history. This initiative aims to boost the event’s appeal and draw larger crowds, building on the success of the current three-year agreement. The current race weekend includes two GT300 wildcard entries, with a focus on attracting a diverse fan base through cultural celebrations and a strong presence of international visitors.
The 2026 Toyota GR Cup North America season will begin at the Grand Prix of Arlington, coinciding with the NTT IndyCar Series. The SRO America-run single-make series, entering its fourth season, will feature seven events and 14 races. Drivers and teams will compete in Toyota GR86 race cars for a $1 million purse and prizes, with the championship finale at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Gulf Historic Grand Prix Revival is back for its fifth and most iconic edition yet – and entries are now officially open!
Set against the glamorous backdrop of Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, this year’s celebration of historic motorsport promises a weekend filled with pure 1970s nostalgia – both on and off the track.
Whether you’re a returning competitor or a first-time entrant, this is your chance to be a part of a growing movement that brings together world-renowned historic cars, passionate drivers, and unmatched hospitality – all under the Abu Dhabi sun.
And this year, there’s even more. The Gulf Historic Grand Prix Revival forms the centrepiece of a unique UAE tour: starting with Masters Historic Weekend in Dubai (24-26 October), continuing with Grand Prix Revival (31 October – 2 November) and finishing on a high note alongside Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (5-7 December) in a support race with Masters Historic Racing. This is your opportunity to make the most of your time in the UAE – with a single freight of your car – while creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Entries are now open for the fifth edition – and after 2023’s standout success, our 70s-themed weekend is set to be even bigger, bolder, and faster. From Formula One legends to Le Mans prototypes, the Gulf Historic Grand Prix Revival brings together a remarkable range of historic machinery, all battling side by side in a pure celebration of speed, passion, and prestige.
For more details go here: https://gulf-historic.com/teams-competitors/
The Asian Le Mans Series plans to introduce a class for privateer Hypercars in the 2026/27 season, which has received tentative support from Porsche, BMW, and Ferrari. This move aims to address the decline in private entries in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s top class, affected by increased manufacturer involvement. While manufacturers like Porsche, BMW, and Ferrari are open to the idea, they express concerns about the logistical and financial implications of supporting customer teams in the new series, particularly given the tight timelines and technical support required.
Motorsport UK has mandated that Impact Data Recorders are fitted to all cars competing in British and junior racing championships with immediate effect and is evaluating a wider rollout.
Ginetta has unveiled its new G56 GT2 car, marking its entry into the GT2 racing category. The car, powered by a 6.3-liter V8 engine, features extensive upgrades from its G56 GT4 and GTX predecessors, focusing on power, aerodynamics, and driver comfort. Ginetta aims to attract amateur drivers seeking thrilling racing experiences, with a planned race debut at Valencia in September and an anticipated presence of 3-5 cars on the track in 2026.
From the Sim Racing Roundup
The NASCAR iRacing driver pipeline is just one of the topics covered in last week’s Sim Racing Roundup. I also show you how a driver uses the sim to prepare for an IMSA race, what the latest FIA move means for esports, why sim racers should attend the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa and much more!
Track Days
Road & Track looks at the most expensive cars you can actually take to the track. “There is no shortage of these unflinching models on the market, but we chose 14 of the most cutting-edge performance cars on the market today and arranged them in ascending order by price. If you have the disposable income laying around, one of these could be your next racetrack rig, while the rest of us can merely fantasize.”
Swedish hypercar maker Koenigsegg has announced the Sadair’s Spear. Unveiled at the Gotland Ring, a fitting venue for its shakedown, the Sadair’s Spear is Koenigsegg’s most track-focused road car yet. It set a record time of 2:55 minutes around the Gotland Ring (1.1 seconds quicker than before). A vicious evolution built to honor the outgoing Jesko, it opens the next chapter of the company’s relentless pursuit of creating high-performance exotics. Read more about the car here.
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects. As a lawyer, he applies his legal background and research skills to assist race drivers by showcasing the resources they need to make their motorsport careers happen.
