Pirelli World Challenge GT4/GTS preview

In many ways, the Pirelli World Challenge GT4/GTS class that takes to the track at St. Petersburg this weekend will look very similar to last year, but under the surface, it's quite different. In its second year of its transition to the GT4 spec, the newness has worn off some of the cars previously unfamiliar to American fans, such as the SIN R1, the KTM Xbow and the Ginetta G55. But many of the cars that seem familiar will in fact be new.

Two cars competing in 2017 will be brand new to the series – the Panoz Avezzano GT (pictured above) and the McLaren 570S GT4. The Panoz is not yet GT4 homologated, so it's running under the legacy rules until that happens. Three more cars that have previously appeared in the series are back in GT4 form – the Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR, the Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R and the Ford Mustang GT4, which will make an appearance later in the season.

While many of the cars are new, many of the drivers are returning to the series looking for a championship. If past years are any indication, the top contenders have to be Lawson Aschenbach (pictured), Nate Stacy and Parker Chase. Aschenbach, a past champion for Blackdog Speed Shop, is in his second year of his second stint with the team. A longtime Chevrolet Camaro campaigner, Blackdog introduces the new Camaro GT4.R to the series. If Chevrolet did its homework and provides a suitable platform for Aschenbach to display his talents, he should be one of the favorites for the title after just missing out to Brett Sandberg last year. Team owner Tony Gaples returns as his teammate.

Teenager Stacy finished just behind Aschenbach in last year's championship driving a Mustang. This year he moves to Flying Lizard and its new Cayman program. The Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR showed its speed at the end of 2016 when James Sofronas brought it to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for the finale, so if Stacy acclimates quickly to the mid-engine two-seater, he should do well. He is joined by speedy Spaniard Rodrigo Baptista, who competed in the Blancpain GT Championship last year, in another Cayman; Baptista could figure into the championship also.

Chase has the benefit of coming back with the team and the car in which he finished fourth in the 2016 championship. The Ginetta G55 was a bit of a surprise, as was then-15-year-old Chase. He managed a few podiums, but a win eluded him. He should be a contender for wins and the championship in 2017.

Sandberg won the title last season in a KTM Xbow. Sandberg has moved to the Blancpain Endurance Championship, leaving Martin Barkey to carry the flame for Mantella Autosport. Barkey showed good pace in the latter half of last season and won at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. He's probably the best bet for KTM to defend its drivers title.

There are a few dark horses as well. Mark Klenin always looked good in his outclassed Maserati, and comes in this season with a McLaren 570S. George Kurtz will also be driving a McLaren out of GMG's stable. Ian James has proven himself in sports cars, but the Panoz Avezzano GT he's driving is definitely an unknown. As the car develops, he might contend for wins – the question is whether it develops quickly enough.

Finally, Chase's teammate, Harry Gottsacker, has potential to battle for some wins as well.

Even with a batch of new cars, familiar names will likely rise to the top of Pirelli World Challenge GT4/GTS class in 2017. It might just depend on who adjusts to new machinery the quickest, and Aschenbach and Chase have the least adjusting to do.

Click on the thumbnails below for larger images.

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