SRO/DI
RKBOGAERTSPHOTOGRAPHYMOTORSPORT GAMESWith a glitzy opening ceremony and a medals table,
the new-for-2019 Motorsport Games has a clear
inspiration. And, like the Olympics, the concept is
set to grow to encompass new disciplines. There
could be prototypes, rally cars, historics and maybe
more single-seaters on the bill in year two in 2020.
Stephane Ratel, whose SRO group was announced as
the promoter of the 1-3 November event at Vallelunga,
set out his plans last week for the inaugural Motorsport
Games, which will pitch national teams against one
other. He outlined a vision, together with the FIA,
to grow the event beyond the GT3 class, touring cars
and one-make Formula 4 on the bill for this year.
“We will have three categories this year, so let’s
try to double it — the objective is to have six next
season,” said Ratel. “We will tell our friends at the
Automobile Club de l’Ouest that they should
come with prototypes.”
Ratel wouldn’t elaborate on what kind of prototypes,
whether LMP2 or LMP3, he wanted to become part of
the games. He also mentioned the F3 category, without
distinguishing between the international class on
the F1 undercard and its lower-level regional cousin.
Rather, he stressed a need to work with existing
series promoters to expand the concept.
He pointed out that he is not trying to reinvent the
wheel, which is why he is working with TCR founder
Marcello Lotti on the touring car element of the event.
The Italian will help assemble a grid that will take part
in two races over the Vallelunga weekend.The F4 races will be contested by a grid of cars
built by the KCMG organisation, P2 class winner at
Le Mans in 2015. It unveiled the KC MG-01 as part
of Ratel’s fi rst Motorsport Games press conference
at last weekend’s Spa 24 Hours.
The fi rst F4 car incorporating hybrid technology
and halo cockpit protection has been designed by
Italian engineering specialist Ycom and the key carbon
components built by KCMG’s composites business.
The Abarth-engined cars will be centrally run by
the Hitech team, which is also responsible for the
fl eet used in W Series.
Ratel and the FIA have launched the Motorsport
Games after the success of last year’s GT Cup of
Nations – open exclusively to bronze or silver-rated
amateur drivers in Bahrain. The event, won by Turkish
drivers Salih Yoluc and Ayhancan Guven in a Ram
Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3, attracted 18 cars
running in national colours.
Ratel is aiming for 24 countries to take part in
the GT3 and TCR races, with 20 in F4. The FIA
has explained that it will be working with national
sporting authorities (ASNs) to provide the teams.
“Each ASN will be empowered with choosing their
teams,” said the FIA’s boss of circuit championships,
Frederic Bertrand. “Some countries already have
national teams and some will want to go through their
own rounds of selection process. We do not want to
impose anything. We only say that the drivers in each
national team need to hold a passport and a racing
licence from that country.”
The Motorsport Games will also incorporate a slalomMORE CARS PLANNED
FOR RACING OLYMPICS
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