• Nogaro’s Coupes de Pâques hosts opening round of new SRO GT Academy
• Eight drivers vying for €150,000 scholarship and professional support to race in GT World Challenge next year
• Ciamin and Simon early leaders in competition for drivers aged under 29
The opening round of the 2025 FFSA French GT Championship was staged over the Easter weekend at the Circuit Paul Armagnac in Nogaro. As well as a new season, the event also marked the launch of the SRO GT Academy, which is organised by SRO Motorsports Group in collaboration with the French Motorsport Federation (FFSA).
In front of the assembled press and participants, Stéphane Ratel (CEO of SRO) and Philippe Soulet (President of the Circuit Commission and a member of the FFSA National Sporting Board) officially presented this unique project. The winner is set to receive a €150,000 scholarship and professional support from SRO and the FFSA Academy to compete in the 2026 GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS season.
By launching this exciting new programme, SRO Motorsports Group has reaffirmed its commitment to building a career ladder for young drivers who aspire to compete in Europe’s premier GT3 series.
“At SRO, we are very keen on the idea of a pyramid,” explained Stéphane Ratel, who travelled to Nogaro especially to present the SRO GT Academy to the media and participants. “There are countless examples of drivers starting at the bottom and climbing the ladder, but we wanted to go even further. In collaboration with the French Motorsport Federation (FFSA), we are launching the SRO GT Academy, and it really could change someone's career. The prize is unique: not just significant financial backing, but also language classes, technical and regulatory workshops, simulator sessions, coaching, and more.”
“The FFSA has a long-standing tradition of identifying and nurturing young talent," added Philippe Soulet. "Programmes such as Rallye Jeunes or the FFSA Academy’s French F4 Championship have unearthed many champions, both French and international. Continuing in that spirit, it made sense to support young circuit drivers aiming for careers in GT and endurance racing by creating a bridge toward GT3 competition. We are delighted to collaborate with SRO Motorsports Group on the SRO GT Academy and bring the FFSA Academy’s expertise to the winner. This will involve simulator sessions, coaching, physical training, and more.”
Inaugural event staged at Nogaro
The eight competitors registered for the SRO GT Academy began their journey during the annual Coupes de Pâques at Nogaro, the opening round of the 2025 FFSA French GT Championship.
As will be the case at all five events this term, points were awarded throughout the weekend based on qualifying results and performance in the first stint of Race 1, as well as the best lap time and the average of the best 10 laps over the two races.
After the opening round, one thing is already clear: the competition level in the inaugural edition of the SRO GT Academy is extremely high, and the battle for the prestigious prize will be intense.
Two drivers left Nogaro tied on points: Nicolas Ciamin (Ginetta G56 GT4 EVO / CMR) and Gaspard Simon (Alpine A110 GT4 EVO / Code Racing Development). The 27-year-old former rally driver earned pole position for Race 1, while 18-year-old Simon shone by leading the first stint of Race 1, which was crucial to the eventual triumph he shared with teammate Pascal Huteau.
Just two points behind them, Belgian driver Lorens Lecertua (18 years old) stood out in the rain during Race 1, moving his Saintéloc Racing Audi up to second place and also posting the best 10-lap average and the fastest race lap.
With 42 points, Ethan Gialdini (Ginetta G56 GT4 EVO / CMR) trails the leaders by only five points after setting the fastest lap in Race 2 and the best 10-lap average. At just 17 years old – the youngest competitor in the Academy – Gialdini also celebrated a first Pro-Am win with teammate Gwenaël Delomier, making good on the strong potential he showed in the FFSA French Touring Car Championship last year.
The other four participants, three of whom were making their FFSA GT debuts, had a mix of highs and lows, and all will be eager to close the gap at the next round. Rémy Van Straaten (Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport / Mirage Racing), Viny Beltramelli (Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport / JSB Compétition), Thomas Leal (Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2 / Circuit Toys), and Jodie Sloss (Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 EVO / Mirage Racing) have already set their sights on the next event, which takes place at Dijon-Prenois on 9–11 May.
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