- World’s leading GT4 series among support events for 77th CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa
- GT4 European Series powered by RAFA Racing Club continues to unearth new talent
- Two 60-minute races scheduled for 27 and 28 June, including one at sunset
It's exactly the kind of success story that SRO enjoys. The GT4 European Series powered by RAFA Racing Club is without question the global benchmark for the GT4 category. From 26 to 28 June, more than 40 cars representing 10 manufacturers will compete at Spa-Francorchamps. In order of entries, they are BMW, Porsche, Aston Martin, Mercedes-AMG, Toyota, McLaren, Audi, Ford, Ginetta, and Lotus.
The list of competitors is diverse. There are semi-professionals and amateurs, but the vast majority of the field is made up of young drivers who have chosen GT4 Europe as the ideal base from which to launch their careers.
There are plenty of examples of this. The likes of Simon Gachet, Patric Niederhauser, Bastian Buus, Valentin Hasse-Clot, Dean MacDonald, and Jim Pla are just some of those who rose to prominence in GT4 before establishing themselves as professionals. What’s more, if you cast an eye over the 2025 CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa entry list, you'll find many young drivers who shone in GT4 Europe and are now looking to make a name in GT3. This group includes Antoine Potty, Jop and Dante Rappange, César Gazeau, Loris Cabirou, Pedro Ebrahim, Mateo Villagomez, and Etienne Chéli among others.
Providing a more affordable way to go racing, GT4 incorporates the key ingredients that made GT3 the world’s benchmark GT category. Numerous manufacturers, a wide variety of models, different shapes and sounds, a balance of performance to level the playing field, and all at a lower price point both in terms of purchase and running costs.
Benefiting from the quality of the events organised by SRO Motorsports Group, the GT4 European Series powered by RAFA Racing Club allows competitors to perform in front of packed grandstands and generates excellent media coverage. This is even more true for the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa; the buzz surrounding the biggest GT race in the world ensures that this is the standout GT4 European Series event of the season.
Two 60-minute races will be staged, each with a driver change between the 25th and 35th minute. With the start scheduled for 21:10 on Friday and the finish coming after sunset, the opening race promises to be very special indeed. On Saturday, in front of packed grandstands, the second contest will get underway at 12:10, providing one of the highlights of the day. With three completely distinct classes and three podiums at the end of each race, the action promises to be non-stop.
While young drivers are in the majority in the Silver Cup (effectively the semi-professional or young professional class), two highly experienced drivers currently top the standings. Frenchmen Benjamin Lariche and Robert Consani (Team Speedcar – Audi R8 LMS GT4) lead Erik Evans (American, 22 years old) and Marco Signoretti (Canadian, 27 years old), who share the Academy Motorsport Ford Mustang GT4. These crews have monopolised the race victories thus far, taking one win a piece at Circuit Paul Ricard Circuit and then Zandvoort.
Driving a Matmut Evolution Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2, 17-year-old Spaniard Jan Duran and 21-year-old former French Formula 4 champion Hadrien David sit third in the standings, the young duo making a fine start to life in GT4 Europe. Next up, Belgium’s own Benjamin Lessennes and Dutchman Ricardo van der Ende (L’Espace Bienvenue – BMW M4 GT4 EVO) will be keen to shine on a track that has often been successful for them. Josh Rattican will once again pilot the Elite Motorsports with Entire Race Engineering McLaren Artura GT4, the defending champion and his new teammate McKenzy Cresswell looking to kick-start their season. In addition to Lessennes, Belgian fans can also cheer for Nathan Van Springel and Michiel Haverans (TeamFloral – Ford Mustang GT4), as well as Fred Caprasse, who partners Frenchman Matteo Nomblot in an AV Racing Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport.
In the Pro-Am class, a Bronze driver shares with a pro or semi-pro. After four races, German duo Hendrik Still and Joachim Bölting (W&S Motorsport – Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport) have claimed three wins and hold a comfortable championship lead. The chasing pack is led by Stanislav Safronov / Aleksandr Vaintrub (Mirage Racing – Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 EVO) and Joakim Walde / Victor Bouveng (Schubert Motorsport – BMW M4 GT4 EVO). Italian YouTuber Alberto Naska and former World Touring Car driver Stefano D'Aste (PB Racing – Lotus Emira GT4) are just shy of the top three. Making his GT4 debut this season, young Belgian Lucas Cartelle will compete on home soil for the first time. He will share driving duties with Lucas Sugliano, the pair aiming for a top five finish aboard their Chazel Technologie Course BMW.
In the Am Cup, Frenchmen Jean-Mathieu Leandri and Antoni De Barn (Chazel Technologie Course – BMW M4 GT4 EVO) have three wins and a further runner-up finish from the opening four races. Indeed, their rivals must take risks if they are to close the gap. Having won the opening race at Zandvoort, Max Kronberg and Daniel Blickle (W&S Motorsport – Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport) lead their pursuers.
Driving the #28 AV Racing Porsche, Ajith Kumar is contesting his first season in GT4 Europe. The renowned Indian actor is a major star of Tamil cinema, known for appearing in dozens of films such as Vaali, Mugavaree, Billa, Varalaru and Mankatha to name just a few.
Without doubt, both GT4 European Series races will be well worth experiencing in person at Spa-Francorchamps. Further information and the full ticket offering can be found on the official website: www.crowdstrike24hoursofspa.com.