HSR and VSCDA announce the North-South GT Challenge

Officials from Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) and the Vintage Sports Car Drivers Association (VSCDA) have announced the introduction of the all-new HSR and VSCDA North-South GT Challenge that will showcase the popular era of GT-3, GT-4 and GT Lite (GTL) race-prepared, small-bore GT cars throughout the North and South regions this year.

The unique championship features five races – four VSCDA events and one HSR race – in the North along with a trio of HSR races in the Southeast. The season begins February 12 - 15 at the HSR Sebring Pistons and Props presented by Alan Jay Automotive Network at Sebring International Raceway.

Downsized versions of 1990s-=era Trans-Am, IMSA GTO/GTS and All-American GT (AAGT) cars, GT-3, GT-4 and GTL machines are tube-frame and winged full-competition cars powered by race-prepared small-bore engines and fitted with the bodywork of the top small sports cars, coupes and sedans of the day. Popular GT-3, GT-4 and GTL machinery includes the Mazda RX-7, Toyota Celica, Nissan 200SX, Acura RSX, Mazda RX-3 and other familiar compact sports cars and sports sedans of the era.

Both GT-3 and GT-4 (not to be confused with the global-standard GT3 and GT4 platforms at the foundation of IMSA GTD, GTD Pro, GS and many other major GT racing series today) and GTL raced in national and regional competition in addition to being the featured cars in the popular Westcoast NASPORT series that ran competitively well into this century. Now just past their competition prime and timing out in some series, competitors are finding a new home – and more track time than ever before – in HSR and VSCDA competition.

"For me and so many others, GT-3, GTL and even their GT-4 counterparts, truly represented a golden era in American road racing leading into and at the turn of the century," said HSR President John Doonan.

"As these cars reach the end of their competition cycle with other racing organizations, we have heard from several competitors - some already racing in HSR and VSCDA - looking to find a new home for these quick little cars they love to race and our fans love to see. It is an honor to once again partner with VSCDA in creating this exciting new championship that is in direct response to what so many competitors are seeking."

In addition to the Sebring opener, the HSR South races include April's HSR The Mitty presented by Hagerty, April 23 - 26, and the HSR Classic Road Atlanta 10 Hour and HSR Fall Historics, September 17 - 20, both at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta (MRRA). The fourth points-paying HSR "South" event on the schedule, the HSR Classic Watkins Glen Six Hour presented by Mission Foods, takes place a bit further North at Watkins Glen International (WGI), June 11 - 14.

The HSR Glen race complements VSCDA's quartet of points-paying races at Gingerman Raceway, May 16 - 17, the June 19 - 21 at Blackhawk Farms, Grattan Raceway, August 14 - 16 and Road America, September 18 - 20.

The season culminates with a winner-take-all HSR and VSCDA North-South GT Challenge finale at the HSR Classic Daytona 24 Hour, presented by Mission Foods and the HSR Daytona Historics, November 11 - 15, at Daytona International Speedway (DIS).

"The VSCDA is very excited to once again be joining forces with HSR," said VSCDA Vice President Jim Donato. "It is our goal to have a long-standing North-South Challenge. Together we can offer these drivers an opportunity to race in the vintage and historic sprit. VSCDA and HSR is where safety, friendship, camaraderie and fun takes center stage. Where a great on track dice with friends makes memories for a lifetime. Join us for a great year of racing."