Vallelunga confirmed as 2019 FIA GT Nations Cup host following official FIA approval

Vallelunga confirmed as 2019 FIA GT Nations Cup host following official FIA approval

The 2019 edition of the FIA GT Nations Cup will take place at Italian venue Vallelunga on 1-3 November following official approval by the FIA. 

It comes after the event enjoyed a successful first running last weekend, when 18 nations from across the globe contested a hugely exciting series of races at the Bahrain International Circuit. Turkey emerged as the inaugural winners thanks to a late charge by Ayhancan Güven, who shared the winning Mercedes-AMG with fellow countryman Salih Yoluç. 

The dramatic conclusion capped an event that was deemed successful both on and off the circuit, with competitors particularly enthusiastic about the nation-versus-nation concept and the extensive track time on offer. 

Ahead of Saturday evening’s deciding race in Bahrain, SRO Motorsports Group founder and CEO Stephane Ratel revealed plans for the second FIA GT Nations Cup to be staged at Vallelunga as part of the intended rotation between host continents.

The decision, which remained provisional pending approval from the FIA, was confirmed during the FIA Annual General Assembly in St. Petersburg on 5 December. The dates for next year’s contest were also set as 1-3 November, meaning the event will run on the traditional European schedule of Friday through Sunday.  

Plans are in place to stage a GT4 endurance race as part of the Vallelunga weekend following a successful first running for the sprint-format GT4 International Cup in Bahrain. Further news on the event will be revealed during the 2019 season.