The Prototype Cup Europe is being introduced by Creventic for 2026 and in this week’s Racecraft & Race Cars Roundup I have the details. I also have more racecraft tips, 2026 calendar news and details on the new Aston Martin Experiences program.
Overview
Racecraft Tips & Techniques
How Pros Coach First Time Racers
PRL coach Andrew Carbonell explains why video gets drivers started fast — and how data overlays build trust and consistency.
J.G. Pasterjak”s Tips for Quickly Learning a New Race Track
J.G. Pasterjak of Grassroots Motorsports provides his tips on learning a new race track. “First, we need to talk about just what we’re trying to accomplish when learning a new track. For me, I’m try to get to a state where I can concentrate on execution, not analysis.”
This Is How Allan McNish Won 24 Hours of Le Mans 3 Times!
How Daytona 24 Drivers Cope with ‘Messed-Up’ Endurance Pressures
With last weekend’s Rolex 24 at Daytona just concluded, you may wonder how drivers cope with the pressures of endurance racing, both in and out of the car. Motorsport Week has found out. “You’re driving the car, you’re getting hot about it, you’re getting emotional about it, and sometimes you look at the clock and there’s 14 hours to go, especially here in Daytona with the way the rules in IMSA work, and the amount of yellow flags that we have.”
How To Go Faster on Track, One Corner at a Time
Going to a track for the first time but don’t know where to start? Pro racing driver Randy Pobst shared his advice on to help you go faster by mastering a new track corner by corner.
Race Car & Series Developments
Creventic Presents the Prototype Cup Europe
Professional motor racing organizational body Creventic, in partnership with the ACO (Automobile Club de l’Ouest) and leading tire manufacturer Michelin, has announced the creation of Prototype Cup Europe for the 2026 season.
Featuring the latest Gen 3 LMP3 prototype race cars, which are powered by Toyota twin-turbo V6 engines, the European series is an expansion and evolution of Prototype Cup Germany which has run very successfully under Creventic’s stewardship for the past four years. You can read more about the series here.
Historic Racing is Booming
GT1 History has explained how historic racing has exploded in popularity and competition. These series showcase everything post-Group C through 2020 GTs.
The biggest shift: Peter Auto Historic Racing becomes Le Mans Classic Series (ACO takeover), introducing the most modern machines yet in Legends of Le Mans and GT3 Revival Series. Both series join Peter Auto’s calendar and modern events – Legends of Le Mans, GT3 Revival at GT World Challenge Europe, running before main events. Endurance Racing Legends is still super strong, now with 5 events per year, and two Plateaux at Le Mans Classic.
In the US, IMSA acquired Historic Sportscar Racing with full TV coverage and packed grids. Their top class features DPis matching modern LMDh/GTP speeds, plus GT cars through 2020 (Challenge to GT4, GT3, GTE).
UK’s Motor Racing Legends (recently acquired) also targets recent cars, pioneering GT3 historic series GT3 Legends. This year adds Endurance Icons (GTs/prototypes 1995-2012, no hybrids).
Masters Historic Racing spans Europe, prioritizing Formula One (Historic GP France/Zandvoort), but runs a modern series for endurance cars: Masters Endurance Racing Legends 1 (LMP1/LMP2/GT1/GT2 1999-2015, GT3 2015-2019).
GR GT3 Set for IMSA Debut in 2027 as Lexus Racing Rebrands
The recently unveiled GR GT3 is set to make its North American debut in next year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona according to Lexus Racing and Gazoo Racing North American director of motorsports Jeff Bal.
“Right now our plans are to introduce the GT in other series later this year, possibly, if all goes well,” Bal told Sportscar365. “Then we plan to run it here next year.”
Toyota Unveils Race Specification GR Supra Supercar
Toyota has unveiled renders of its race specification Toyota GR Supra Supercar ahead of the upcoming 2026 Supercars Championship season. “With Walkinshaw Andretti United and Brad Jones Racing ready to battle it out on track, all the GR and Toyota fans behind us, we’re gearing up for an unforgettable first season of Supercars racing. This is the start of something special, we can’t wait to have you on this journey with us.”
GT Racing Revolution: Q&A With the Chiefs of GT Summer Series
Launching in 2026, the GT Summer Series plans to revolutionize the Pro-Am balance by technically adjusting cars based on who is driving. Autosport spoke to the organizers about their controversial “Driver BoP” concept involving boost pressures and weight penalties.
“It is a real blessing for motorsport enthusiasts that GT cars have become accessible to a wide range of drivers. GT vehicles across all classes are extremely safe and remarkably manageable, even for amateur and gentleman drivers—many of whom started racing later in life and did not have the privilege of entering karting at the age of eight.”
How IMSA is Aiming to Capture the “Best Data” for BoP
Sportscar365+ goes inside IMSA’s quest for continuously improved Balance of Performance through data with VP of engineering Matt Kurdock. “While often having come under fire from fans, teams and manufacturers, the process of Balance of Performance, perhaps the most-dreaded three-word phrase in sports car racing, has become the necessary evil of the sport.”
GT America’s 2026 Cup Class Expansion: Why Grid Sizes Could Grow 50%
GT America’s 2026 season introduces expanded Cup-class participation, driving early indicators of up to 50% grid growth. Historical data suggests unmanaged expansion risks grid dilution once entries exceed 30 cars, making class structure and entry caps a critical strategic lever. Vantage explains.
TCR Europe Confirms 13 Entered Teams for 2026
The TCR Europe promoter has confirmed 13 entered teams for the 2026 season, stating that it will have a capacity entry of 26 cars. “I’m delighted to be able to confirm that we have a full grid for the 2026 season, with two months before our first race of the year,” said series promoter Rubén Fernández.
WRL 2026 Rules
The World Racing League has released their 2026 rules. You can read them here.
January 30 NASCAR Euro Series Recruitment Tests Sold Out
The NASCAR Euro Series has announced that the highly anticipated NASCAR Recruitment Test (NRT) scheduled for January 30, 2026, has officially reached full capacity. That’s why TEAM FJ opened extra availability on January 29. The roaring demand for these track sessions just shows this championship is the fast lane for top-notch drivers looking to punch their ticket to the big leagues of pro motorsport.
NLS Changes Date to Enable Verstappen Entry
The NLS has confirmed a revised date for the second event of its 2026 season in a move that would enable Max Verstappen to contest a preparation round ahead of a possible entry into this year’s Nürburgring 24.
“We’re turning it up a gear – for sport and our region! To make the NLS even more internationally accessible, NLS2 will be on the March 21st. We use an existing gap in the F1 calendar between the grand prix of China and Japan. This placement allows pilots from the royal class and other international series to start with us. By doing so, we increase the worldwide popularity of the NLS for the benefit of all teams and sustainably strengthen the reputation of our series and the region.”
How UK Club Racing Fared in a Tough 2025
Autosport Plus explains how UK club racing fared in a tough 2025. “Another year has passed and, once again, Autosport has dusted off its calculator and crunched the numbers to assess how club categories performed in terms of grid sizes in 2025. And it makes for some interesting – and mixed – reading.”
Cross Car Evolution
Motorsport UK’s Revolution Magazine introduces Cross Car, the new multi-discipline vehicle making waves across the world.
From the Sim Racing Roundup
Motorsport UK launches Cross Car Esports Cup With Real-World Racing Prize
Motorsport UK has launched the Cross Car Esports Cup, with the winner getting a real-world motorsport opportunity and last week’s Sim Racing Roundup has all the details. I also have advice on setting up a racing sim from Max Verstappen and much more!
Track Days
Aston Martin Experiences 2026 Calendar Includes Le Mans, Monaco, Goodwood and Texas F1
Aston Martin has never simply sold cars. It sells a way of moving through the world. For 2026, the British marque is turning that philosophy into a full calendar of curated adventures, unveiling its new Aston Martin Experiences program, a collection of ultra-luxury road trips, track immersions, and cultural journeys designed to place owners and brand devotees directly inside the Aston Martin lifestyle. The Gentleman Racer has the details.
8 Bucket List-Worthy Corners You Need to Drive
Colin Wood in the latest issue of Grassroots Motorsports looks at 8 bucket list-worthy corners you need to drive. “People often talk about race tracks that you need to experience, but what about those all-important corners?
When Motorsport Dreams Come True
Ross Bentley of Speed Secrets fame discusses his plans now that he is Head Driving Coach for the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit, a Tilke-designed track north of Victoria on Vancouver Island. You can also listen to Ross on the first episode of the Motorsport Prospects Podcast here.
Racing & Testing Opportunities
Career-Changing Opportunities Up for Grabs with Expanded SRO GT Academy
SRO GT Academy will take talent development to a new level this season by providing six drivers from as many different series with career-changing opportunities for 2027.
The innovative concept creates a pathway for young hopefuls to reach the top of global GT racing through skill, dedication and professionalism. SRO GT Academy will not only identify the stars of tomorrow: it will put them in a position to successfully demonstrate their potential on the world stage.
Open to FIA Silver-graded drivers under the age of 30, the Academy will take a holistic approach to unearthing new talent. This year’s programme consists of three distinct elements, each awarding a specific prize for 2027. In all three, points will be awarded based on criteria such as speed, race craft, and behaviour on and off the track.
More details can be found 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.
