The 2025 Sprint Cup campaign gets underway next weekend at Brands Hatch (3/4 May). The British track is a proper old-school classic, brimming with atmoosphere, and the longest-running event on the Sprint calendar. Here are five good reasons to get your tickets booked and join us. For information regarding tickets, please click here.
IT'S AN OLD-SCHOOL CLASSIC
Ask a selection of drivers to name their favourite track on the GT World Challenge calendar and Brands Hatch is certain to come up. It has an old-school vibe, with its gravel run-offs leaving no margin for error. For a test of skill and bravery, this is a perfect place to watch the best GT drivers in the world.
It's also something of a rarity among UK circuits, most of which were constructed on former World War II airbases. As such they tend to be flat, whereas Brands Hatch has plenty of dramatic elevation changes. It also occupies a place in SRO history, with the BPR Global Series first racing at Brands as far back in 1996.
THERE’S A BRILLIANT ATMOSPHERE
Brands Hatch may not be an especially large venue, but that's part of its charm. The crowd is always big so the place feels packed with spectators, creating a carnival atmosphere in the Kent countryside. Spectators tend to be genuine enthusiasts, whether they're seasoned racegoers or making their first trip to watch the sport in person, and all can take advantage of a free pit walk on Sunday morning.
There’s plenty more to do besides watching the action on track. The event will feature a supercar display and offers a wide range of merchandise stands and food and drinks stalls. Kids are well catered for too, with a funfair and adventure playground, while if you want to test your own driving skills there's go-karting on Sunday. And remember, this will be a Bank Holiday weekend, so there's time to recover on Monday!
THE SPRINT CUP STARTS HERE…
In keeping with tradition, Brands Hatch marks the start of the new Sprint Cup campaign. A total of 10 manufacturers feature on the provisional entry list, which would be the most we've ever seen at a Sprint meeting, including the British competition debut of the BMW M4 GT3 EVO.
The full grid for this season is set to break even more records, with an incredible 42 cars entered for the remainder of 2025. Due to space limitations at Brands Hatch the Bronze Cup is absent, though with more than 30 cars anticipated we’re likely to see the event’s biggest grid since 2016. You’ll be holding your breath when they make that first run into Paddock Hill Bend.
… AND A THRILLING SEASON AWAITS
The Sprint Cup has simply never been as competitive as it is today. The battle for the overall title should be exceptionally close, with a host of leading international drivers competing for the big prize. Three of the previous four Sprint Cup champions have won at Brands Hatch – including 2024 victors Maro Engel and Lucas Auer (below) – so it is an important indication of potential.
The other two classes are also highly competitive. Gold Cup and Silver Cup crews are largely composed of young professionals and GT newcomers, so there is plenty of talent among the drivers. They also tend to be brave and ambitious, which makes for some epic fights on-track.
THE BRITISH DEBUT OF McLAREN TROPHY EUROPE
Now entering its third season of competition, the McLaren Trophy Europe is a single-make championship that caters for the British marque's 570S Trophy and Artura Trophy Evo models. Since its inception, every round has been staged alongside GT World Challenge, taking it to such legendary venues as Spa-Francorchamps, Monza and the Nürburgring.
But there's nothing like a home event. Brands Hatch marks the very first time that McLaren Trophy Europe has raced on British soil, with 50-minute races scheduled for Saturday evening (17:35) and another on Sunday afternoon (14:05). Fans will have even more high-level GT action to enjoy as the series makes its home debut.
