Grand Touring World Series

The Grand Touring World Series (GTWS) are seasons using the GTR cars of Live for Speed. The GTWS concept encompasses multiple classes, including the full-powered GT1 class, as well as the restricted GT2 class. Each class may either have its own season, or run combined. Race lengths vary from a minimum of three hours up to 24 hours. There is also the possibility of fixed distance races, such as 500 and 1000 kilometres.

Series Origin

The Grand Touring World Series property began in 2010 as the GT2 World Series, designed as the successor to the Grand Touring Amateur League (GTAL). Chris Ford developed the idea along with Michael Booth, Phil Diaz, and the New Dimension Racing team. Early seasons featured single class races, but a split between driver levels of professional and amateur was implemented. Designed as the first step before a driver would advance to the International Grand Touring Championship and later Masters of Endurance, the series began with shorter endurance races. For the 2012-2013 season, and the end of IGTC, the series became the GT1 World Series to fill that void. For the 2013-2014 campaign, the pro/am split was replaced by multiple class of cars - the series filling the void of the departure of Masters of Endurance.

Series Format

The series employs the use of a rolling start, safety cars, full administrative staffing. Each season is usually contested over six rounds, with the majority being between three and six hours duration, along with one 12 hour and one 24 hour. The maximum race for GT2 only events is 6 hours or 1000 kilometres; all others may employ up to 24 hours.

Teams must submit a minimum of two drivers to the series, with no limit to their roster size. No one driver may do more than 75% of the race distance for their team (45% for a 24 hour race) - laps in excess of this limit are deducted from the team’s total. Teams are permitted to enter multiple cars in each class, but one driver may only drive for one car per race weekend.

Seasons

GT2 World Series 2011

The GT2 World Series 2011 was contested over five rounds in the summer and autumn of 2011. My3id Gaming won the championship by 16 points over LowLandLions.

GT2 World Series 2012

The 2012 GT2 World Series was contested over 6 rounds from April to September 2012. ineX Racing won the overall and pro championships, Genuine Racing Amateur won the amateur category.

GT1 World Series 2013

The 2013 GT World Series was held from November 2012 to April 2013, running 6 rounds, including the first 24 hour race organized by New Dimension Racing. ineX Racing won the overall and pro championship; Stig Breeding Program Am won the amateur class.

GT World Series 2014

The 2014 GT World Series used both the GT1 and GT2 classes, removing the pro/am split. This season saw 5 rounds between October 2013 and February 2014. Conquest Racing earned the GT1 title, Last Lap Motorsports claimed the GT2 crown.