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Pirelli World Challenge


Sports/Touring Car Racing

Pirelli World Challenge
Racing Series

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Official Site: World-Challenge.com
Wikipedia: Pirelli World Challenge

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A sports/touring car racing series sanctioned by the SCCA, founded in 1990.

History

The following section is an excerpt from Wikipedia's Pirelli World Challenge page on 22 December 2016, text available via the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

The Pirelli World Challenge is a North American auto racing series that is managed by WC Vision and sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). The World Challenge series was born in 1990, and celebrated its 25th anniversary season in 2014. The series consists of seven driver classifications and six classes of vehicles: Grand Touring (GT), GT Cup (new for 2015 - for Porsche 991 Cup cars), GTS, Touring Car (TC), "Touring Car B-spec" (TCB) since 2012, and "Touring Car A" (TCA), new in 2014. In 2014, a new GTA driver classification was established for professional drivers that do not make their living primarily from racing. The series typically races alongside the IndyCar Series on race event weekends.

The SCCA created a "showroom stock" class for amateur club racing in 1972. In 1984, following the success of the Longest Day of Nelson and another 24-hour race at Mid-Ohio, the SCCA combined existing races into a manufacturer's championship. For 1985, the series became a 6-race professional championship with sponsorship from Playboy magazine. Escort radar detectors sponsored the series from 1986 until 1991.

In 1990, the series was officially named World Challenge and was restructured to adopt rules similar to the European Group A for homologated production cars. The higher-cost "sports" classes were dropped after 1996, leaving the class format as it would stand until 2010. Speed TV network began sponsoring the series in 1999. With fields growing, the series began separate races for the GT and Touring classes in 2000, which would remain until 2010. In 2010, the series moved away from the partnership with SPEED, and signed a broadcast partnership with Versus (now NBCSN) for coverage. The series moved existing touring cars into a new GTS class, while changing the rules for the touring car class to reduce costs and keep cars closer to stock.

With the SpeedVision television contract, the World Challenge eventually succeeded Trans Am as the SCCA's premier series.

In July 2008, the World Challenge series was purchased by WC Vision, a group of investors. The Sports Car Club of America remains the sanctioning partner of the series.

Starting with the 2011 season, the series signed a partnership with Pirelli and the leading tire manufacturer became the official tire supplier and title sponsor of the series.

In 2014, the Pirelli World Challenge established a GT-A classification similar to the FIA's bronze category. For 2015, the series will establish GT Cup, featuring Porsche 991 Cup Cars that will run as part of the overall GT Class races.

Images

22 December 2016
Holiday Wishes from Pirelli World Challenge
Wishing you and your family a very happy and safe holiday! 2016 was a fantastic year and we're looking forward to more excitement in the 2017 racing season!
View photo of Happy Holidays! - 243KB

Article Index

DateArticleAuthor/Source
25 March 2015Media Advisory: WC Vision’s Scott Bove & SRO Motorsports’ Stephane Ratel To Unveil Global Events This FridayTom Blattler
27 March 2015Media Advisory: WC Vision’s Scott Bove & SRO Motorsports’ Stephane Ratel To Unveil Global Events TodayTom Blattler
27 March 2015PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE ANNOUNCES GLOBAL PREMIERE IN 2016 WITH SRO MOTORSPORTS/BLANCPAIN GT SERIES COMING TO U.S.A.Tom Blattler
27 May 2015WC Vision Announces Pirelli World Challenge Sprint-X GT Championships Starting in 2016 Tom Blattler
4 June 2015Pirelli World Challenge Reschedules Round 11 at Road America Tom Blattler
24 June 2015Big Pirelli World Challenge Field Set For Battle at Road America Tom Blattler
15 July 2015Pirelli World Challenge Enjoys Incredible Automobile Diversity in 2015 Tom Blattler
6 August 2015Pirelli World Challenge Announces New Race Director, Race Operations Committee Tom Blattler
23 August 2015Cooper Wins GTS Round 14 at Miller Motorsports Park Tom Blattler
23 August 2015O'Connell and Montecalvo Sweep in GT and GTA in Round 17 at Miller Motorsports Park. Thompson Wins GT Cup Round 15 Tom Blattler
27 August 2015Pirelli World Challenge Showdown in Sonoma – 2015 Championship Battles Heat Up Tom Blattler
8 September 2015Pirelli World Challenge Set to Crown 2015 Champions at Mazda Raceway Laguna SecaTom Blattler
10 September 2015Record 111 Entries for Pirelli World Challenge Season Finale This Weekend with Titles on the Line at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Tom Blattler
13 September 2015Balzan Wins GT Round 20 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Montecalvo, Thompson Win in GTA and GT Cup Tom Blattler
13 September 2015Francis Jr. Wins TC Round 18 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Wolfe and Jordan Win in TCA and TCB Tom Blattler
13 September 2015Pirelli World Challenge Announces Exciting 2016 ScheduleTom Blattler
13 September 2015Wilson Wins GTS Round 17, Cooper Takes GTS Drivers' Title Tom Blattler
3 November 2015Pirelli World Challenge “State of the Series” Announcements Include 2016 Confirmed Schedule, SRO Alliance, New Rules Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
3 December 2015Accomplished GM Motorsports Technical Manager David Caldwell Named Director of Operations in Pirelli World Challenge Competition Department Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
9 December 2015MEDIA ADVISORY: Pirelli World Challenge 2016 Rules/Marketing Presentation Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
22 December 2015Pirelli World Challenge GT Champion Johnny O’Connell describes his 4th Consecutive Title as his Most Satisfying Career Accomplishment Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
25 January 2016Muck Daddy™ Named Official Hand Cleaner of Pirelli World ChallengeTom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
28 January 2016BORLA® Performance Named as Official Exhaust of Pirelli World ChallengeTom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
29 January 2016SRO Blancpain GT Series Cancels North American Race at COTA in March; Pirelli World Challenge Season Opener Entries Continue Gaining MomentumTom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
2 February 2016Pirelli World Challenge Launches All-New 2016 Website; New Look and Design Also Includes Special Team/Racer PortalTom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
4 February 2016Pirelli World Challenge Brings New Excitement in 2016, Competition Director Marcus Haselgrove Discusses New ChangesTom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
10 February 2016Porsche driver Patrick Long returns to 2016 Pirelli World Challenge With another GT Championship in his sights, but he knows it won’t be easy Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
22 February 2016College Student Michael Cooper Set for Big Jump to Pirelli World Challenge GT Class As GTS Champion teams with 4-time GT Champ Johnny O’Connell in Cadillac Racing Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
2 March 2016PWC Champion Corey Fergus Races What He Sells – Porsche – And Wins, As Third-Generation Racer Attempts Another Title Run in 2016 GT Cup Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
5 March 2016Long, Fuentes and Udell Open GT/GTA/GT Cup 2016 Season with Wins at COTA Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
6 March 2016O'Connell, Fuentes and Urry Win Round 2 in GT/GTA/GT Cup at COTA Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
8 March 2016Multi-Time Champion Jon Fogarty Has Won Races Throughout North America, But This Weekend GAINSCO Driver Must Learn Streets of St. Pete for PWC Races Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
11 March 2016JACK ROUSH JR. SCORES HIS 1ST PIRELL WORLD CHALLENGE GTS VICTORY FRIDAY AT ST. PETERSBURG Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
11 March 2016MICHAEL LEWIS CAPTURES HIS 1ST PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE GT POLE POSITION FRIDAY IN THE STREETS OF ST. PETERSBURG; FUENTES, URRY TAKES POLES TOO Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
12 March 2016Jack Roush Jr. Wins Round 4 GTS Race, Sweeps Weekend at St. Petersburg; Brett Sandburg, 15-year-old Parker Chase Finish 2-3 Saturday Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
12 March 2016YOUNG MICHAEL LEWIS SCORES 1ST PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE GT WIN SATURDAY IN STREETS OF ST. PETERSBURG; FUENTES, URRY CAPTURE WINS ALSO Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
13 March 2016Lewis, Fuentes and Urry Sweep Weekend at St. Petersburg; Young Porsche Star Holds Off Davison in 2nd GT Feature Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
13 March 2016Pirelli World Challenge, Sports Car Club of America Announce New Multi-Year Extension to Sanction Sports Car Production-based Series Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
13 August 2016Canada's Mantella Scores 1st Pro Win Saturday in PWC GTS Sprint event at Utah Motorsports Park Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
13 August 2016Michael Lewis’ dramatic last lap pass wins PWC SprintX Race Saturday at Utah Motorsports Campus Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
14 August 2016BRYAN HEITKOTTER DOUBLES UP FOR NISSAN IN GT SUNDAY AT UTAH MOTORSPORTS CAMPUS IN PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE ACTION Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
14 August 2016Heckert Notches First Pirelli World Challenge GTS Win During Sunday's PWC UMC Sprint Event in Sin Car GT4 Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
23 November 2016Pirelli World Challenge Announces 2017 Class Programs Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
21 December 2016LAST MINUTE PHONE CALL LEADS BRETT SANDBERG TO 2016 GTS PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE CHAMPIONSHIP Tom Blattler
Pirelli World Challenge
10 January 2017TOURING CAR RANKS PRODUCING BIGGER FIELDS, GREAT RACING; PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE BRINGS IN NEW TC MACHINERY IN 2017 Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
19 January 2017Pirelli World Challenge Brings Experience, Knowledge To WC Vision Organization with New Class Managers Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
20 January 20172017 Pirelli World Challenge Testing is underway with Jon Fogarty in the new GAINSCO “Red Dragon” Porsche Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
23 January 2017K-PAX Racing Brings Notable Lineup to Defend Pirelli World Challenge Titles Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
27 April 2017Tough to call veteran O’Connell a “Rookie” This Weekend But technically the PWC event is his First Race at VIR Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
29 April 2017Charlotte’s Mike Skeen Takes Audi to the SprintX Pole Saturday in Pirelli World Challenge Nissan Grand Prix of VIR Qualifying Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
29 April 2017Italian Team of Mancinelli and Montermini Take Ferrari To SprintX Win Saturday in Wild Pirelli World Challenge Nissan Grand Prix of VIR Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
9 May 2017Incredible week of Daniel Morad makes him a PWC SprintX Winner and a favorite coming to his home track, CTMP, on May 19-21 Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
13 June 2017Milwaukee school friends continue their high school dream By racing professionally in the Pirelli World Challenge Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
28 August 2017Strong 104 Pirelli World Challenge Entry List Set for COTA, Tripleheader for SprintX to Decide Championships Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
18 December 2017Pirelli World Challenge to add a TCR class in Touring Car in 2018 Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
4 January 2018Mark Klenin Set to Return to PWC GTS Action with McLaren 570S In 2018 with his sights on the GTSA point title Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
31 January 2018THE RACING COMPANY ENTERS PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE TCR CLASS WITH ASSISTANCE FROM M1 GT RACING Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
2 February 2018SQUADRA CORSE GARAGE ITALIA AMERICAS TO TAKE PART IN PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE 2018 SEASON WITH FERRARI >Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
21 February 2018Cybersecurity Technology Giant CrowdStrike® Named Official Series Sponsor for 2018 Pirelli World Challenge ChampionshipsTom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
11 March 2018Lawson Aschenbach Records Double Wins at St Pete GTS Openers; 5-time Pirelli World Challenge Champion Strong in Chevy Camaro Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
11 March 2018Porsche’s Scott Hargrove Makes It Two in a Row in St. Pete Streets With Wire to Wire Victory Sunday in Pirelli World Challenge GT Sprint Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
13 April 2018Italy’s Daniel Mancinelli Records Top GT Practice Time Friday In No. 31 TR3 Racing Ferrari 488 GT3 Sports Car at Long Beach Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
14 April 2018Finland’s Toni Vilander Takes Ferrari to Pirelli World Challenge GT Pole Saturday in Long Beach Grand Prix; Japan’s Harata Wins GTA Pole Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge
15 April 2018Italy’s Daniel Mancinelli Scores 1st PWC GT Sprint Win Sunday At Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach in TR3 Racing Ferrari 488 GT3Tom Blattler, Pirelli World Challenge




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