World Challenge Confirms Future Direction of GTS Class

TOPEKA, July 26, 2010: WC Vision, managing arm of the World Challenge Championships, today announced plans for the future of the GTS class that will include a mix of production sports cars and sport sedans, continuing to provide one of the most diverse classes of racing in all of motorsports. The initiative is designed to introduce cars to World Challenge that were not previously eligible or competitive in the Series.

The 2009-spec Touring Cars, such as the Acura/RealTime Racing Acura TSX cars currently competing in GTS and former competitors such as the MAZDA3 and BMW 328i, will continue to compete and be equalized through adjustments from SCCA Pro Racing to remain competitive.

The core of the class moving forward will be to provide a place for production-based, mid-level sports cars, including a ready-made place for pony cars like the Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro to battle. Additionally, it will offer a place for current-model Domestic, European and Japanese sports cars and sedans including the Audi S4 and S5, BMW 335 and M3, Cadillac CTS-V, Mercedes CLK V-8, Infiniti G37, Nissan 370, Lexus ISF, Mitsubishi EVO, and Subaru WRX STi.

“When GTS was announced for 2010, we knew this would be a transitional year, providing a place for the more radical 2009 Touring Cars while building a platform to build upon for years to come,” WC Vision Director of Operations Scott Bove said. “As GTS moves forward, it will fill the clear void between the Touring Car and GT classes, offering great racing by some of the marketplace’s hottest and most popular cars.”

With exceptions allowed to equalize the performance of each of the machines, the GTS cars will use stock transmissions and pickup points. Only the cars grandfathered in, such as the Acura TSX and BMW 328i, will be able to use sequential gearboxes. Wings and splitters will continue to be used, but no exotic suspension components will be permitted.

The new GTS cars will maintain a stock body, with no carbon fiber body panels permitted while maintaining the stock unibody chassis.

Like in the GT and Touring Car classes of World Challenge, performance will be managed with weight and engine restrictor adjustments.

Sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing, the 12-race 2010 World Challenge Championship next races August 7 – 8 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for the World Challenge Sports Car Challenge presented by Optima Batteries. For more information, please visit www.world-challenge.com.