If you’ve ever watched a GT3 race and noticed multiple battles happening at once, you’re seeing one of the category’s defining features in action: class-based competition.
In GT championships like GT World Challenge America, the field is divided into classes based on driver lineups. In this championship specifically, the three categories are Pro, Pro-Am, and Am. All cars start together, race together, and follow the same rules, but each class has its own championship, podium, and points battle.
The Pro class features all-professional driver lineups, typically made up of Platinum and Gold-rated drivers. These include factory drivers and top-tier professionals, teams competing for overall race wins, and generally serve as the benchmark for outright pace and execution.
Pro-Am lineups pair one professional driver (Platinum or Gold) with one amateur driver (Bronze-rated). A lot of the success in Pro-Am comes down to maximizing both drivers’ strengths. Teams must manage driver stints, pit stops, and consistency to stay competitive. It’s common to see Pro-Am cars running near the front overall, especially during certain phases of a race.
The Am class is made up primarily of Bronze-rated drivers, often racing together without a professional teammate. This class focuses on driver development, competitive racing within a similar experience level, and the spirit of customer racing.
Class-based racing allows for professionals and amateurs to compete on the same grid while maintaining fair competition within each category, thus creating multiple storylines throughout a single race. This structure is essential to GT racing. It keeps grids full, encourages diverse participation, and ensures that every driver, regardless of their experience level, has something to fight for.
Have a question about GT3 racing? Submit it through the Chat GT3 Typeform and we’ll cover it in a future edition.