SRO Hoping for “Novelties” to Rejuvenate, Diversify GT4 Grids

Photo: Fred Hardy/SRO

SRO Motorsports Group founder and CEO Stephane Ratel has expressed desire for new brands and/or car models to enter the GT4 ranks, which has largely been stagnant in recent years.

The latest-generation Ford Mustang GT4, launched in 2024, has been the newest GT4 model to join the platform.

There are at least 13 GT4 models that are currently eligible, although a number of cars, such as the Alpine A110 GT4, Audi R8 LMS GT4, Lotus Emira GT4, Nissan Z NISMO GT4 and Ginetta G56 GT4 are competing in only selected markets around the world and in low numbers.

While not lacking grid numbers, particularly in its flagship GT4 European Series or Pirelli GT4 America and Michelin Pilot Challenge in North America, which all routinely feature 30-plus fields, Ratel said he’s hopeful of new blood being injected into the SRO-controlled platform.

“GT4, I would say, is [doing] fine, but we need novelties,” he told Sportscar365. “We need more cars to bring us new manufacturers.

“The field has been there [for some years], with the only exception of the new Mustang, which is very successful in some markets like Australia. It’s been the last new car we’ve had.”

At least one new GT4 model is expected next year in the Porsche 911 GT4, which will replace the 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, a move that Ratel said he’s in full support of.

This is despite concerns from several rival manufacturers of having a 911-based race car compete in GT4, a category that was devised for entry-level sports cars.

“Of course, I’m supportive of it,” said Ratel about the new Porsche “For me, I’m very supportive of new cars that would bring new clients. It’s true that we’ve had a little bit of the same cars for a while now.

“To give it a new boost, we need new machines.

“I’m not really concerned. As long as they produce it and it’s a cheaper version that fits the window of performance, it’s OK.”

Ratel revealed that Maserati initially proposed for its MC20 to be homologated for GT4, and not GT2, which could have significantly upset the apple cart.

“We’ve avoided going too far,” he said. “The Maserati MC20, for example, their initial request was to do a GT4. That was really too much.

“Thank God we had GT2 to welcome it.”

He added that he was “very disappointed” by McLaren’s decision to discontinue support of the Artura GT4 at the end of the 2028 seasons.

The British manufacturer is set to shift its entry-level GT racing efforts entirely to its single-make McLaren Trophy series, which SRO currently operates in both Europe and America.

“I didn’t understand [their decision], but OK,” he said.

Source: Sports Car 365