The FIA GT Championship

Dream sports cars competing in three-hour endurance races, with all the drama of pit-stops, driver changes and strategy. Excitement, overtaking and all the drama of a hard-fought championship; now entering its ninth season. The 2005 season will include eleven rounds, seven of which will be run alongside the new FIA World Touring Car Championship. The season highlight of the proximus 24 hours of Spa, with guaranteed packed grandstands and thrilling racing, will be the major summer event. A first visit to Istanbul, in Turkey, will also see experimental two-hour format. After the successful overseas races in 2004, this season will end with three events outside Europe, with races in Zuhai (China), Dubai (Unites Arab Emirates) and a season finale at the Bahrain International Circuit.

The Cars

Corvette, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lister, Jaguar, Maserati, Porsche, Saleen…Legendary names, incredible cars, entered by private highly-professional teams. Road-going cars, adapted for the circuit, between 400 and 650 bhp, they are divided into two categories, known now as GT1 (Corbette C5R, Ferrari 550 and 575 Maranello, Lister Storm, Saleen S7, LamborghiniMurcielago, Maserati MC 12) and GT2 )Porsche 996 GT3-RS, Ferrari 360 Modena). They should be joined during the season by the Aston Martin DB9R and the Nissan 350Z. Also, for the first time in 2005, cars from Group 2 and Group 3, as seen at Spa, may also take part on a non-Championship basis. This includes cars such as the impressive Mosler 900 and the Vertigo Streiff.

The Drivers

An eclectic mix of drivers - stars from Formula One and Formula 3000, endurance and Sportscar specialists, young, upcoming drivers and talented gentlemen drivers - take part in the FIA GT Championship. Two or three drivers share each car, up to four for the 24-hour race.

The events

	Wednesday	:	Two 90-minute free practice sessions
	Thursday	:	Two 45-minute qualifying sessions, the combined time makes up the grid
	Friday	:	15-minute warm-up: 500 km race (max 3 hours)
Cumulative handicap weights allotted to the top three in each category.