#BritishGT adds second #Donington date to 2019 calendar

The British GT Championship will make two visits to Donington Park next season following confirmation of its 2019 calendar.

The Leicestershire venue fills the June 22/23 weekend originally set aside in the provisional calendar issued three months ago. However, the event’s exact race format remains under wraps for the time being while championship organisers, SRO Motorsports Group, discuss potential options with the track’s operators, MSV.

It’s the first time Donington will have hosted British GT outside of its traditional end-of-season slot since the championship staged a three-hour race there in 2011.

The recent but expected sale of Rockingham, which would ordinarily have retained its place on the calendar, left British GT without a suitable sixth venue in the UK. As such, and following discussions with several existing and new circuits, Donington was considered the strongest candidate to host two championship rounds in the same season.

British GT is now working on an event format that will differentiate its mid-season visit from the circuit’s traditional two-hour season finale on September 14/15.

Benjamin Franassovici, Championship Manager: “There were a lot of elements to consider, such as availability, date clashes and suitability, but Donington was always at the top of our wish list if we were required to visit the same circuit twice. It’s very popular with drivers but also has a pitlane big enough to accommodate refuelling, as would have been the case at Rockingham. However, it also offers the chance to try something different and there are a few things we’ve been considering behind the scenes. We’re currently working with MSV to see which of these can be incorporated next season.”

Donington hosts the final round of the 2018 campaign this weekend. Watch the two-hour #DoningtonDecider live on British GT’s Facebook page and website this Sunday at 13:35 or reserve tickets in advance via Donington’s website until midday Thursday.

2019 British GT Championship Calendar
April 20 & 22 – Oulton Park – 2x 1hr races
May 18/19 – Snetterton – 2x 1hr races
June 8/9 – Silverstone 500 – 1x 3hr race
June 22/23 – Donington Park – TBC
July 20/21 – Spa-Francorchamps – 1x 2hr race
August 3/4 – Brands Hatch – 1x 2hr race
September 14/15 – Donington Park – 1x 2hr race