The recent China GT crash and aftermath generated several questions, and those questions are part of what is covered in this week’s Racecraft & Race Cars Roundup. In addition to more racecraft tips I have series news, calendar announcements and more.
Overview
Racecraft Tips & Techniques
China GT At Shanghai: What Went Wrong, What Lessons Can Be Learned?
The horrific China GT crash at Shanghai raises questions that extend far beyond the accident itself. DailySportscar examines what happened, separating the racing incident from the more fundamental concerns around emergency planning, fire response, medical support and incident readiness. While the actions of Loek Hartog, who pulled Ollie Millroy from the burning Ferrari, have rightly drawn widespread praise, the incident also highlights how quickly a routine racing accident can become a life-threatening emergency—and why preparation for that possibility matters. For teams, drivers and race organizers, the lessons here are ultimately about making sure safety systems work when they are needed most, not simply when everything goes according to plan.
Don’t Be Afraid of Your Fear
“Listen to Your Fear” takes a thoughtful look at the role fear can play in motorsport. Rather than treating fear as something a driver simply needs to overcome, the piece considers how paying attention to that feeling can provide useful information about risk, preparation and personal limits. For drivers, particularly those pushing themselves into unfamiliar situations, recognizing the difference between healthy caution and unnecessary hesitation can be an important part of becoming faster and more confident. It’s a useful reminder that driver development isn’t only about technique and speed—it also involves understanding your own reactions when the stakes rise.
Read the full story at Grassroots Motorsports here.
Insight: How IMSA Race Control Has Clamped Down on On-Track Conduct
Sportscar365+ provides insight into how race director Beaux Barfield and his team officiate races amid a recent spike in incidents in WeatherTech Championship competition.
“But IMSA’s messaging has always been and will be moving forward, ‘You need to race responsibly, and you need to provide the competitor you’re racing with racing room.’ I think for any of you that have heard those conversations in the past, that messaging has been delivered across all IMSA series.”
Read the full article here.
The Art and Science of Performance Driving
What makes a great driver: mastering the science of performance driving, or developing the art of it? Ross Bentley of Speed Secrets argues that it takes both. The fundamentals—vehicle dynamics, braking, steering and consistency—provide the foundation, but the best drivers eventually learn to experiment, improvise and develop their own style. Drawing on data from elite drivers and an insightful example of a graphic designer who learned to visualize corners differently, Bentley explains why following established techniques can take a driver only so far. For drivers progressing through their development, the lesson is particularly relevant: build a deep technical foundation first, then learn when to stop overthinking and let your own driving style emerge.
You can read his full column here.
FIA Insurance Task Force Has Yet to Contact Brokers, Podium CEO Says
No broker or underwriter has heard from the FIA’s new insurance task force, despite soaring car values pushing premiums higher across the sport. “Everybody who I talk to, deal with, compete with – no-one has had a message from this FIA task force to ask any of the brokers or underwriters in the market how can we fix this problem.”
Read the full article at Insurance Business here.
Race Car & Series Developments
Report: FIA, ACO at Odds Over WEC Contract Extension
The FIA and ACO could go their separate ways in its current partnership with the FIA World Endurance Championship, according to a report from a leading German automotive and motorsport publication, which would have massive repercussions in sports car racing worldwide.
Auto Motor und Sport Editor-in-Chief Marcus Schurig writes: “This would turn the world order in endurance racing upside down, raising numerous questions: Can an endurance world championship function without Le Mans?
The FIA and WEC have since responded to this report indicating that their agreement with the ACO extends to the end of 2027 and that they are currently negotiating an extension. The WEC has called these discussions “constructive.”
“The FIA World Endurance Championship has enjoyed sustained growth since the introduction of the Hypercar and LMGT3 regulations, competing this season across seven countries,” the FIA said in a statement issued to Autosport. “This achievement is the result of extensive collaboration between drivers, teams, manufacturers, the FIA, the ACO, the promoter LMEM and the millions of fans who follow the championship. “The FIA and ACO are continuing discussions regarding an extension of the promoter agreement. The current agreement with ACO remains in place until the end of 2027.”
FIA President Targeting GT1 Revival With Halo Brands
A story strand circulating over the past couple of weeks was that a potential programme is looming to resurrect GT1, featuring some of the halo brands and models from the current marketplace for road-going and/or track-focused cars of stratospheric performance levels. Dailysportscar has the details here.
Goodyear and B-Spec Partnership Continues to Grow, Extending Contract
When Goodyear and SCCA Road Racing joined forces to have Goodyear supply the spec tire for the B-Spec class from 2024 to 2026, the shift from a previous spec tire came with unknowns. Renowned for close competition, B-Spec racers were attracted to the class thanks to its affordable bumper-to-bumper action that ran from flag to flag – a tire that couldn’t keep pace could drastically upset this formula. In 2023, tire testing was completed, and a contract was signed, with racers entering the 2024 Summit Racing Equipment SCCA Road Racing season on fresh Goodyear rubber. With three seasons of intense racing proving the performance, Goodyear and SCCA are now extending the B-Spec tire agreement.
A TCR Class Within the New Gulf Championship
WSC and Apex Events announced an agreement over the inclusion of a TCR class within the newly-organized Gulf Championship. The series promoted by the Doha-based Apex will be run over four events between December 2026 and February 2027. TCR cars will race in Group B, along other classes: GT4 and regional touring cars.
More details can be found here.
Asian Hypercar Class in Jeopardy for 2026-27 Season
The planned launch of the Hypercar class in this winter’s Asian Le Mans Series is in jeopardy, with only two cars, and reportedly a single FIA Bronze-rated driver, having signed up for the new headline category.
Algarve Pro Racing has delayed its planned Asian Le Mans Series Hypercar program on the grounds of safety according to team principal Stewart Cox, who said it would have been too much of a risk to run FIA Bronze-rated drivers in a European-based winter championship.
Michael Masi Joins SRO Motorsports Australia
SRO Motorsports Australia has announced experienced motorsport official Michael Masi as its new Head of Sporting. Masi will begin with SRO Motorsports Australia effective immediately to undergo an official handover before stepping into the role full time for the 2027 season. During the transitional process, Masi will be in attendance at the final two Shannons SpeedSeries rounds of the year, starting with this weekend’s visit to Sydney Motorsport Park.
STCC to Relaunch in 2027 as GT Series
The STCC is to be relaunched in 2027 but will no longer run as a touring car series after the decision was taken to switch to GT4 regulations. “The level of interest in the return of the STCC has exceeded our expectations, and with a strong ownership group and a long-term plan in place, we feel confident about the future,” Richard Göransson, representative of the ownership group, five-time STCC champion and CEO of Gelleråsen Arena, said.
New Class Mooted for GT World Challenge Australia
There is growing interest in a new class being added to GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS in 2027. Organizers are mulling the introduction of Silver-Am alongside the existing Pro-Am and Am-Cup divisions.
WSC and ACI Sport Strengthen Cooperation Over TCR Italy
WSC and ACI Sport will consolidate their cooperation over the TCR Italy Championship starting from the 2027 season. The Italian series will be again run in the frame of the ACI Racing Weekends; following requests from most of the teams and with the aim of offering competitors the opportunity to join other TCR events in Europe, the calendar will comprise five race meetings,
2027 F1 Calendar Avoids Crucial Sportscar Clashes
The FIA Formula 1 World Championship calendar for 2027 has been released, confirming that several crucial clashes with major sportscar events have been avoided next season.
“The biggest news is that there is no clash between F1 and the Le Mans 24 Hours on the 9th to 13th of June, with the Monaco Grand Prix set to run the weekend before and the round in Portugal scheduled for the weekend after. Notably, the Monaco Grand Prix overlaps with the Le Mans Test Day, but that shouldn’t prove to be a hurdle as Platinum-graded drivers can apply for an exemption if they cannot attend it.”
Targa Tasmania Releases 2026 Course Map
Targa Tasmania has released the course map for its 2026 event, confirming a route that will again take competitors across the state from Launceston to Hobart, with several returning stages, a Burnie overnight stop and a new final stage at Kangaroo Bay.
Doonan: ‘Nearly 80’ Prospective Entries For 2027 Daytona 24H
Despite several tenured, accomplished IMSA teams announcing plans to either pause or cease participation in the series, series President John Doonan has told Daily Sportscar that fans can still expect to see another capacity grid for the 2027 Rolex 24 at Daytona and the rest of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship that follows.
IMSA Facing Possible Capacity Pilot Challenge Grid for 2027
IMSA is facing a possible capacity grid for Michelin Pilot Challenge according to series president John Doonan, who indicated they may have to put a limit on full season entries for next year.
“For Pilot Challenge, it could be a place where we’re going to have to start thinking about, because of space constraints, what we we have to do. There’s no official ruling on it, but it seems to be trending that way.”
The State of Play of Motorsport in the Gulf
How is motorsport in the Gulf holding up amidst the current geopolitical backdrop? Which series are racing here, and which aren’t? Gulf Motorsport Business takes a look at how things stand right now in the region.
“Logistics concerns and costs, plus the potential reluctance of gentleman drivers to travel to the region – which impacts on teams’ own financial ability to participate – are part of the bigger picture which led the Asian Le Mans Series to abandon the region in favour of Europe, while Creventic has postponed its Middle East Series and moved the blue-riband Dubai 24 Hours to Kyalami in South Africa. Organisers of the Gulf 12 Hours made an early call to postpone the next edition and will instead host a GT race in Istanbul in November.”
Maffi Racing Pulls Out of F4 CEZ Citing “Fairness and Transparency”
The Central European Zone Formula 4 paddock was rocked by the decision of one of its leading teams, Maffi Racing, to withdraw all four cars from the final race of the Brno race weekend and the remaining round at the Hungaroring. Dissatisfaction with certain decisions by the scrutineers and stewards had first surfaced at Most in August, where team principal Danny Maffi had expressed his concerns, underlining that unless matters were resolved, the team would consider withdrawing.
Formula Scout has all the details.
2027 Calendar News
- Prologue evolutions announced for GT World in 2027 (GT World Challenge)
- GT3 Revival Series confirms full 2027 plans as Hungaroring and Dijon join the calendar (GT3 Revival Series)
- Michelin 24H Kyalami Announced For January 2027 Date (24H Series)
- Five rounds for 2027 TCR Italy campaign (Touring Car Times)
- Ligier European Series: 2027 season calendar revealed (Ligier European Series)
- 2027 Ligier European Series finale rescheduled for 15 October in Portimão (Ligier European Series)
- 2027 ELMS Season Finale Moves Back Two Weeks (ELMS)
- 2027 MLMC Season Finale Moves Back to 16 October (Le Mans Cup)
- More Weekends: ZRS 2027 Calendar Reveal (Zenith Racing Series)
- The 2027 STCC GT4 Nordic calendar is here (STCC)
From the Sim Racing Roundup
From Sim Racing to Real Racing: How the Simulator Is Becoming a Motorsport Pathway
Sim racing is no longer just a way to practice between races—it is increasingly becoming a pathway into real-world motorsport. From helping drivers learn the brand-new Madring before ever turning a real wheel there, to preparing competitors for Saudi F4 and providing professional teams with sophisticated driver-development and vehicle-testing tools, the virtual and physical worlds of racing are becoming increasingly connected.
Last week’s Sim Racing Roundup looks at how sim racing can develop skills, prepare drivers for real competition and, in some cases, create a direct route from the virtual grid to the real one, including a new real-world pathway partnership highlighted in the Racing Women feature.
Track Days
A Gentleman’s Guide to Classic Car Rallying
Most classic car rallies are not ‘competitive’ but put two hundred overpowered classic cars on exceptional traffic-free roads and have them driven by men with long-held childhood ambitions of driving like James Bond – there’s bound to be some racing. However, even the unruly have rules; here’s what you need to know about etiquette before you hit the road this weekend.
Gentleman’s Journal has published a gentleman’s guide to classic car rallying.
Targa Treasure Coast 2027 Registrations Open
The 2027 edition of the Targa Treasure Coast has opened registration for the event. Some details:
- Each entry includes driving privileges for 2 family members and entry for up to 3 cars.
- Targa Hospitality Pit Suite is included for two. Additional passes/meals may be purchased.
- Cars will be placed in Groups A, B & C based on speed/experience. The Groups are flexible and cars can change Groups if approved.
- There will be no restrictions on passing, point bys are recomended.
- The success of the Targa depends upon everyone conducting themselves to the highest standards of behavior.
Full details and to register can be found here.
Utah Motorsports Campus Reopens as West Desert
Twenty years after the track first opened, Utah Motorsports Campus is reopening to the public as West Desert.
Under the new ownership of Utah-based PV3 Enterprises, the 511-acre campus is once again locally owned and undergoing a transformation to establish the site as a national center for motorsports excellence. Located 30 minutes from Salt Lake City, this campus includes one of the country’s longest front straights (0.7 miles) and safest road courses (4.5 miles), a competitive karting track (0.9 miles), off-road facilities, skidpad, event spaces, grandstands and other racing amenities.
The Rise of Automotive Real Estate
Cars were once something real estate accommodated. Increasingly, they’re becoming part of the reason the real estate exists. Jeff Beal discusses the rise automotive real estate.
Racing & Testing Opportunities
Charlie Hayes Racing Offering Customer Racing Programs
Charlie Hayes Racing is looking ahead to 2027. With Porsche expanding its competition lineup, CHR is expanding as well, offering complete customer racing programs in Sprint Challenge North America, Endurance Challenge, Carrera Cup North America, SRO, and IMSA series.
From rookie drivers looking to learn and develop their skills to experienced drivers looking to step up to the next level, CHR is committed to providing professional racing programs tailored to your needs.
For more information, email charlie@charliehayesracing.com
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects and the host of the Motorsport Prospects Podcast. 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.
