24H Series

24H Series
Title	24H Series
Inaugural	2006
Category	Endurance racing
Country	International

24H Series

The 24H Series is an international endurance sports car racing championship organized by Creventic that features multi-class competition at circuits such as Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Autódromo do Estoril, and Circuito de Navarra. Founded in 2006, the series stages events including 24-hour and 12-hour races for touring cars, GT cars, and prototypes at venues across Europe, Africa, and Asia. Notable competitors and participants have included teams affiliated with AF Corse, Kessel Racing, V8 Racing, and drivers linked to championships like FIA World Endurance Championship, European Le Mans Series, Blancpain GT Series, and GT World Challenge Europe.

Overview

The championship is promoted by Creventic and sanctioned in cooperation with national motorsport authorities such as Royal Dutch Motor Club and sometimes integrated into calendars alongside series like the FIA GT Championship, International GT Open, ADAC GT Masters, British GT Championship, and Dunlop Endurance Championship. Races attract entrants from professional outfits such as Team Parker Racing, Herberth Motorsport, Garage 59, and gentleman-driver teams tied to organizations like Bentley Motors, Ferrari, Porsche AG, Mercedes-AMG, and Audi Sport. Circuit locations often mirror rounds used by 24 Hours of Le Mans, 24 Hours of Daytona, 24 Hours Nürburgring, and 12 Hours of Sebring participants.

History

The series emerged from events originally organized as standalone endurance races at circuits including Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps and Autodromo Nazionale Monza. It expanded through collaborations with promoters of the 24 Hours of Barcelona and creator CREVENTIC to establish a cohesive international calendar. Over time the championship intersected with teams and drivers from FIA GT1 World Championship, Intercontinental GT Challenge, European Le Mans Series, British Touring Car Championship, and national championships such as the Italian GT Championship and Belcar Championship, prompting regulatory adjustments and class restructures influenced by bodies like the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile and national sporting authorities.

Regulations and Race Format

Events follow endurance formats ranging from 6 to 24 hours, adopting rules compatible with FIA guidelines and Balance of Performance measures used in FIA GT3 competitions. Sporting regulations cover driver stint limits, minimum driving time, and tire and fuel rules mirroring practices in IMSA and ACO events. The series implements technical regulations to cover vehicles homologated with manufacturers such as Porsche, Ferrari S.p.A., Lamborghini, Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc, and BMW M GmbH, while incorporating classifications similar to GT3, GT4, and silhouette touring categories seen in TCR International Series and Dunlop Touring Car Cup frameworks.

Circuits and Events

The calendar has included rounds at historic circuits and modern venues: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Circuit Zolder, Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, Circuit Paul Ricard, Nürburgring Nordschleife, Silverstone Circuit, Brands Hatch, Hockenheimring, Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, and Yas Marina Circuit. The marquee 24-hour events are staged alongside shorter endurance meetings at circuits used by FIA World Rallycross Championship, Superbike World Championship, and national series such as the Dutch Supercar Challenge.

Teams and Drivers

Entrants range from factory-supported operations to privateer teams, including names associated with AF Corse, KÜS Team75 Bernhard, Gulf Racing UK, GruppeM Racing, Rinaldi Racing, and Walking on the Moon Racing. Drivers often have experience in championships like Formula One, GP2 Series, DTM, IndyCar Series, WEC, and Blancpain Endurance Series, with alumni including competitors who have raced for Scuderia Ferrari, McLaren, Porsche Works Team, and Audi Sport Team Joest. Driver line-ups typically combine professional racers, gentleman drivers registered with FIA Bronze status, and championship contenders moving between series such as European Le Mans Series and International GT Open.

Vehicles and Classes

The grid historically features GT3-spec machines from Porsche 911 GT3 R, Ferrari 488 GT3, Lamborghini Huracán GT3, Aston Martin Vantage GT3, Mercedes-AMG GT3, and Bentley Continental GT3, alongside touring cars and silhouette racers homologated in classes akin to GT4 and TCR. Prototype-style entries and cup cars homologated by manufacturers like Nissan, Toyota Gazoo Racing, and Mazda have appeared under specific technical waivers. The series' Balance of Performance system parallels mechanisms used by SRO Motorsports Group and FIA to equalize performance across diverse marques and models.

Records and Notable Results

Memorable victories and records include endurance success by teams affiliated with Kessel Racing, Herberth Motorsport, AF Corse, and Frikadelli Racing Team, and standout drivers with ties to FIA WEC and DTM achieving class wins at events comparable to 24 Hours of Spa and 24 Hours Nürburgring. Pole positions, fastest laps, and overall wins have been claimed by entries fielding cars from Porsche AG, Ferrari S.p.A., Audi, and Mercedes-Benz Group AG, contributing to driver and team championship titles recognized among competitors in International endurance racing circles.

Category:Sports car racing series