The China GT Championship (China GT) is a nationwide championship ratified by the Federation of Automobile and Motorcycle Sports of People’s Republic of China (CAMF), as well as authorised by the General Administration of Sports of China. The Championship is listed in the annual national sports competition plan as well as CAMF’s sporting calendar as a national level motorsport event. 

In motorsports, tyres are one of the most decisive factors influencing the outcome of a race. No matter how powerful the engine is or how perfectly the suspension is set up, strong acceleration and excellent handling rely on tyres.  The China GT Championship is an arena for the highest level of Chinese motorsports, with participating supercars frequently reaching speeds of over 300 km/h. What is the secret behind the tyres supporting such a prestigious racing event?

In 2017, China GT has adopted a new set of sporting regulations in which each car in the GT3 and GTC classes are permitted to use 16 slick tyres (i.e. 4 full sets) and an unlimited number of wet tyres from the start of free practice. Cars in the newly added GT4 class are permitted to use 12 slick tyres (i.e. 3 full sets) and an unlimited number of wet tyres from the start of free practice.

The regulations regarding tyres take into consideration the characteristics of China GT. For each race weekend from free practice through to the end of the second race, the slick tires used by an entry may be made up of any mix of new tires or tires that have previously been nominated at a previous event. This tests the teams’ strategies, and makes the races less predictable, and therefore more exciting!

In 2017, China GT will continue to partner with Pirelli. However, as this season has attracted a variety of car models compared to 2016, China GT will introduce a new tyre models to accommodate this change. 

Each round of the China GT Championship races takes the form of a one-hour sprint to the finish line, which is a longer race time than that of other races. Because of this, Pirelli hard tyres, which have outstanding durability, have been chosen for use in the race. These tyres ensure that lap times remain stable throughout the race, therefore ensuring that the showdown will remain uninterrupted towards the finish line! 

China GT is the go-to place for high octane entertainment. The secret lies in our choice of tyres that are tailor-made for our new regulations, and most importantly, our partnership with Pirelli.  As we turn our eyes toward the new season, we can hardly wait to see the outcome!