The Mercedes AMG GT Track Sport Concept has started its track testing program, and I have the details in this week’s Racecraft & Race Cars Roundup. I also have some racecraft tips, calendar news and race drive opportunities!
Overview
Racecraft Tips & Techniques
How Racing Karts Reinforced Driving Fundamentals For Just $100
J.G. Pasterjak of Grassroots Motorsports explains how karting can help reinforce your driving fundamentals at a low cost. “I know a lot of you will file this under “Tell me something I DON’T know,” but for me, karting hasn’t really been on my radar for a while. And after this experience I’m kind of (well, really) regretting that. It served as a great way to reset a few things skill-wise and focus on basic elements of driving.”
How To Measure The Impossible – 7 Types Of Inferred Metric
Despite having “mountains” of data, the truth remains that often we can’t directly measure what we really want to. Samir Abid of Your Data Driven explains how to measure the “impossible.”
Race Car & Series Developments
AMG GT Track Sport Concept Begins Track Testing
Mercedes-AMG has released on-track testing images of its new GT concept car after first teasing the car in the summer. The new car is understood to be based on a derivative of its two-door Mercedes-AMG GT road car range, the most recent generation of which was introduced in 2023.
BMW M2 Challenge Class Added to VPRC Enduros
The BMW M2 Racing will be added as a class within the expanded IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge series next year for its endurance schedule, IMSA President John Doonan has confirmed. Revealed on the latest IMSA Endurance Hour Podcast hosted by Matt Yocum, Doonan said the new entry-level race car from BMW M Motorsport will make its North American debut as part of the two-hour VP Racing Challenge races next year.
Supercars Announces 2026 Season Calendar
Supercars has announced a 14-round calendar for 2026, confirming a second round in New Zealand and a return to Queensland Raceway. The new schedule means that the teams and drivers will have the highest number of events since the pre-COVID series of 2019.
2026 Formula Middle East Calendar Announced
The 2026 Formula Middle East Calendar has been announced.
Two series will be racing together:
- Formula Regional Middle East Trophy Certified by FIA
- Formula 4 United Arab Emirates Trophy Certified by FIA
The calendar dates are:
- Round 1 16-18 January Yas Marina Circuit
- Round 2 23-25 January Yas Marina Circuit
- Round 3 30 January-01 February Dubai Autodrome
- Round 4 11-13 February Lusail International Circuit
F4 CEZ to Race in Four Countries and at Two F1 Tracks in 2026
Formula 4 Central European Zone has published a six-round calendar for 2026, featuring visits to two Formula 1 tracks. An in-season test will precede each round next year, with weekends taking the format of a pre-event test session, a 40-minute practice session, 20-minute qualifying then three 25-minute races.
FREC Set to Introduce Reversed-Grid Races in 2026 and Add New Circuit
While the Formula Regional European Championship’s 2026 calendar is not yet published, recent paddock gossip has revealed what changes are expected according to Formula Scout. Despite a reduced calendar length, FREC will continue to have a 20-race season. Four rounds will feature a third race, which will be the first reversed-grid encounters in championship history.
NASCAR Expanding Cup Driver Eligibility in Lower Series for 2026
NASCAR confirmed to RACER that it is expanding driver eligibility requirements for Cup Series competitors running in its two lower national divisions next season. They are the first such changes since the current limits were put in place in 2020.
Cup Series drivers with more than three years of full-time experience will be allowed to enter a maximum of 10 races in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (the new name for the current Xfinity Series) in 2026 – an increase from the existing five-race limit. In the Truck Series, Cup drivers will be eligible to enter a maximum of eight races – also up from the current five races allowed.
The Biggest Changes on Tatuus’ New Second-Generation FRegional Car Explained
After seven years with the Tatuus F3-T318, Europe’s main Formula Regional series will undergo major changes in 2026 with the introduction of the Tatuus T-326. Feeder Series sat down with Giovanni Delfino – the chief executive officer of both Tatuus and its parent company, the Korus Group – to discuss the Italian constructor’s upcoming projects and how he hopes the new car can address complaints about its predecessor.
FIA TCR World Ranking Final Put On Hold
The WSC Group has announced that the FIA TCR World Ranking Final has been put on hold due to lack of interest. “Following the interest that had been shown towards this project, WSC has dedicated significant efforts in planning the event several months in advance, scheduling it to take place in Vallelunga on November 21/22 and compiling an attractive prize pool. However, eventually the anticipated level of interest did not materialise at the closing of the entry date. WSC is now analysing the reasons for this situation and will explore subsequent options for the project together with the TCR customers.”
Global Time Attack 2026 Schedule Announced
The biggest surprise of the Global Time Attack 2026 schedule? Not only will GTA visit Thunderhill Raceway Park for the first time, they’ll do so with the SCCA Time Attack Challenge in the house, too.
Inside the SCCA: The Next Era of Grassroots Racing
What happens when Gridlife, Global Time Attack, and SCCA all start working together?
In this episode of Inside the SCCA, host Brian Bielanski sits down again with Heyward Wagner, Senior Director of Rally/Solo and Experiential Programs at SCCA, to dive deep into how programs like Time Trials, Targa, and RallyCross are reshaping grassroots motorsports.
From the Sim Racing Roundup
Esports Is Reshaping the Future of Racing
Esports are reshaping the future of motorsport and in last week’s edition of the Sim Racing Roundup you will find out how. I also have the latest sim racing news, tech developments and much more!
Track Days
Accademia Vallelunga: The World of Lamborghini Fueled by Adrenaline and Lifestyle
Automobili Lamborghini’s second edition of Accademia Vallelunga in October 2025 initiated Lamborghini owners into the impassioned and exciting world of track driving. Over ten days, the exclusive program welcomed more than 130 clients and their companions at the Vallelunga circuit just outside Rome, immersing participants into an experience delivering the adrenalin rush and lifestyle of track driving and, ultimately, racing. Find out more about the experience here,
Racing & Testing Opportunities
JTR Motorsports Engineering Announces Open Seats for the 2026 Race Season
With preparations already underway for the 2026 racing season, JTR Motorsports Engineering is excited to announce that the team has limited available seats in both the Porsche Carrera Cup North America and the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup programs. After a strong 2025 campaign that showcased the team’s competitive pace, professional operations, and driver development success, JTR Motorsports Engineering is now opening the door for motivated drivers looking to join one of the most respected programs in the paddock. Full details can be found here.
Revolution Race Cars Launch Exciting Arrive & Drive Program for 2026 Equipe Sports Prototypes Season
Revolution Race Cars has unveiled an exciting new Arrive & Drive offering for the 2026 Equipe Sports Prototypes season, providing drivers with a turnkey opportunity to compete in one of the UK’s fastest-growing prototype racing series.
Revolution’s Arrive & Drive package is designed for drivers seeking a professional, no-hassle experience in high-level prototype racing. The offer includes:
- Car rental (dedicated for the season)
- Full mechanical and engineering support
- Race entry fees and fuel
- Hospitality for two guests per weekend
- Slick tyres (one new set per race meeting)
- Consumables, preparation, and re-preparation of the car
Optional extras include additional tyres, race insurance, driver coaching, simulator sessions, and custom sponsorship wraps.
Race-by-race pricing starts from £6,800 (for the Revolution 427) and £7,500 (for the 500 EVO), with options including Friday testing and full-season discounts. All prices are subject to VAT and exclude damage costs.
Full details can be found here.
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.
