The Stephane Ratel Organisation launched the GT4 category in 2007 as the GT4 European Cup, aimed at creating a competitive platform for true amateur drivers at lower cost than GT3 racing. The formula used production-based GT cars with closely regulated specifications and a Balance of Performance system to control costs and promote on-track parity. Between 2008 and 2013 the GT4 class was absorbed into various national championships, including the British GT Championship, rather than operating as a standalone series.
In 2013 the concept was revived as a distinct entity when the GT4 European Cup evolved into the GT4 European Trophy, incorporating rounds from existing European series. In 2014 the Trophy merged with the Dutch GT4 Championship to form the GT4 European Series in its current recognisable form.
Growing competitor numbers prompted SRO to divide the series in 2017 into the GT4 European Series Northern Cup and the Southern Cup, the latter running alongside the FFSA GT Championship in France. That reorganisation also introduced the Silver Cup, Pro-Am Cup, and Am Cup classifications to better stratify the field by FIA driver grades. By 2018 the Northern Cup was consolidated back into a single unified GT4 European Series, while the Southern Cup continued independently as FFSA GT – GT4 France.
From 2019 onward the series experienced significant growth in grid sizes and manufacturer participation, establishing itself as a key development pathway for drivers aspiring to GT3 competition. The championship runs alongside GT World Challenge Europe events, giving competitors exposure to the same circuits and weekends as the senior series. From the 2025 season the championship carries the title GT4 European Series powered by RAFA Racing Club.
Each event in the GT4 European Series comprises two 60-minute sprint races spread across a weekend of six rounds annually. Every race incorporates a mandatory mid-race driver change and a regulated pit stop, with stop duration strictly controlled — for example a minimum pit-in to pit-out time of 98 seconds — with time penalties for non-compliance. Two separate qualifying sessions, Q1 and Q2, set the grids for Race 1 and Race 2 respectively: the driver who qualifies in Q1 starts Race 1, and the partner who qualifies in Q2 starts Race 2. All races use a rolling start format.
Competition is divided into three categories based on the FIA driver grading system. The Silver Cup is for pairings where both drivers hold Silver FIA grade, typically young professionals or semi-professionals. The Pro-Am Cup pairs a Gold- or Silver-graded driver with a Bronze-graded amateur. The Am Cup is exclusively for pairings of Bronze-graded amateur drivers. These classifications allow the series to serve simultaneously as a development ground for emerging talent and as a competitive outlet for dedicated amateurs.
Eligible cars are production-based GT4-specification vehicles from manufacturers including Audi, BMW, Ford, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, Porsche, and Toyota. The Balance of Performance process adjusts speed and technical parameters across the different models to maintain competitive parity regardless of which manufacturer a team chooses. Prominent examples of eligible machinery include the BMW M4 GT4, Ford Mustang GT4, and Audi R8 LMS GT4. The tight technical regulation and BoP management are central to the series philosophy of cost-controlled, accessible GT competition.
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