PWC: Series moving forward with Sprint X GT3 plans

The Pirelli World Challenge series' plans to hold a limited number of extended GT3-based races will go forward next season. Interim CEO Greg Gill confirmed three races, run under the "Sprint X" banner, are in the works as secondary offerings to PWC's GT entrants outside of the standard 50-minute sprint races that form the bulk of the series' calendar.

"Currently we are planning for three extended sprint races," Gill told RACER. "60 minutes, mandatory driver changes, no refueling, and teams will have the option for two tires to be changed."

PWC's intent for Sprint X is to offer drivers a chance to participate in events similar to other series where GT3 machinery is used for endurance racing, but with Sprint X, PWC has eliminated the costs of adding extra crew members for full-blown pit stops where all four tires are changed and refueling is required.

Other than stopping to change drivers, and the possible replacement of two tires, Sprint X should have a seamless fit into a standard PWC weekend of competition for GT3 owners. Further details, including the locations of the three Sprint X rounds, will be revealed by the series at the beginning of November.

"The Sprint X tracks will be announced at SEMA," PWC technical director Marcus Haselgrove added. "We are also looking at Pro-Am and Am-Am driver combinations, and there will also be a minimum driver change time."