Pirelli at Donington for GT Cup opener

Pirelli will be at Donington Park this weekend (28-29 April), supporting the GT Cup Championship for the third consecutive year at its opening round. The championship has introduced GT3 homologated cars for the first time in its five-year history, and with a steadily expanding entry list, and a 23-race calendar the season is hotly anticipated. World-class brands such as McLaren, Porsche, Ferrari, Mosler, BMW, TVR and Chevron are involved, and all will roll on Pirelli’s slick DM and DH compound and wet WS and WH compound tyres. Due to the various cars appearing on the GT Cup grid, Pirelli will supply a range of different tyre sizes will be on offer to competitors.

The series will consist of 23 races split over eight rounds, and will take place at some of Britain’s best race circuits including Silverstone, Brands Hatch and the home of Scottish motorsport Knockhill. For two-day rounds, competition will consist of one qualifying session followed by three sprint races. One-day rounds will include a qualifying session followed by two races, with each race expected to last between 20 and 30 minutes.
 
Jim Geddie was the first-ever GT Cup race winner, claiming a double victory at the inaugural event at Snetterton back in November 2007, and this season marks his return to the championship with a very impressive car: the magnificent McLaren MP4-12C GT3.  Kevin Riley will also be sure to turn heads with another exciting addition to the series: a Mosler MT900 GT.
 
Pirelli Tyre UK motorsport manager, Carl Naylor, said: “The new regulations have really shaken things up in the GT Cup Championship, and I’m delighted to see such a wide variety of cars on the grid. The inclusion of GT3 homologated cars for 2012 marks the biggest change in the series since it began in 2007, and it is sure to provide a great spectacle for those present at the races as well as those watching back at home.”     
 
GT Cup Championship organiser, Marc Haynes, commented: “The excitement at this time of year ahead of the first race of the season is palpable with such a great line up of supercars including great names like Ferrari, Porsche, McLaren and Nissan GTR to name but a few. I’m also delighted that Pirelli are with us once again, supplying our control tyre and bringing their expertise and Italian flair to the championship.”