The Sprint Cup season heads for its penultimate round on 1–3 August when Magny-Cours welcomes GT World Challenge powered by AWS as part of a packed weekend of motorsport. Here are five reasons to join us for what promises to be an action-packed event in France.
A STACKED GRID AND PLENTY OF FRENCH TALENT
If you have never seen a GT World Challenge event in person, now is the ideal time. This year's Sprint Cup field features nine manufacturers and the grid at Magny-Cours will consist of around 40 cars. It's fiercely competitive, with ultra-close racing and tight title battles in all four classes. Among the drivers, you’ll recognise international names such as Arthur Leclerc, Maro Engel, Maxime Martin, Alessio Rovera, Jordan Pepper and Marvin Kirchhöfer to name just a few.
There are plenty of French drivers to cheer for as well. Thomas Neubauer pilots the #50 AF Corse Francorchamps Motors Ferrari (sharing with Monaco native Leclerc) while the CSA Racing McLaren is shared by Simon Gachet and Jim Pla. Aurélien Panis and César Gazeau form another all-French duo at Boutsen VDS, while Paul Evrard (Saintéloc Racing) and Roman Andriolo (HRT Ford Performance) will also fly the flag.
A WORLD-CLASS FAN EXPERIENCE
GT World Challenge is fully focussed on the fan experience. Every event features a range of activations for spectators, with the action on-track representing only part of what’s on offer. Magny-Cours will be no different: for a start, the paddock is open to all spectators, so you can see behind the scenes at a major international race event, rubbing shoulders with drivers and team bosses.
Want to get an even closer look? There will be three pit walks across the weekend, allowing you to take a stroll down the pit lane and see the teams at work. The first takes place on Friday evening (21:50–22:50) and will include the Pit Stop Challenge. Further pit walks take place during the lunch break on Saturday (from 12:40) and Sunday (from 13:30), while special nighttime pit and track walks will be organised on Saturday after the opening race (from 22:00).
There will also be a DJ set during the pit walk, fireworks, giant screens on which to watch the action, numerous food and drinks stalls, a full-service restaurant, and a photobooth in which to grab a souvenir snap. Fans can also attend the podium ceremony, which takes place in the paddock, bringing the public closer than ever to this moment of celebration.
You may also wish to visit the circuit museum, the Conservatoire de la Monoplace Française, which is open all weekend from 10:00–17:00 and costs 10€ to enter. This impressive 1,400 square metre space is dedicated to French single-seater machinery, with close to 50 cars on display. The Magny-Cours kart circuit and mini-golf course will also be open during the event.
NON-STOP ACTION ON THE TRACK
When it comes to track action, Magny-Cours has a claim to being the busiest weekend of the entire season. GT World Challenge shares headline status with two other SRO Motorsports Group series – the FFSA French GT Championship and FFSA TC France – both of which are highly competitive and feature multi-class racing with a wide variety of brands. There will be a pair of 60-minute FFSA GT races and four 25-minute FFSA TC races.
But that’s not all: the FFSA F4 French Championship, Clio Cup Series and Alpine Elf Cup Series are also part of this packed line-up. Indeed, there will be 15 races totalling almost 10 hours of action across Saturday and Sunday, and a remarkable 20 hours of track time across the full event. And with GTs, touring cars and single-seaters competing, there’s plenty of variety.
Fans will definitely want to see France's domestic F4 championship, which is a real hotbed of young talent. Indeed, the likes of Isack Hadjar, Theo Pourchaire, and Victor Martins have all emerged from the series within the past few years. Drivers use identical Mygale chassis powered by a 1.3-litre Renault Sport motor, so it's a real proving ground for the stars of tomorrow – and always action-packed.
CAMPING AT THE HEART OF THE CIRCUIT
The start of the summer holiday is the perfect time for a camping trip. So, pack your tent or jump in the campervan and head off on an adventure. One more thing: this particular camping trip will be at a world-famous race circuit, which is hosting one of its biggest events of the year. Bon voyage!
One of the special aspects of Magny-Cours is that the venue includes a campsite, which is fully equipped with water and electricity points. Open from Thursday 30 July, parking costs just 10€ per vehicle for the full weekend, so it’s a very affordable form of accommodation. You'll be staying at the track, so there's no need to miss a minute of the action and you can enjoy a festive atmosphere during the evening.
Whether you're camping or staying nearby, Magny-Cours is located in a prime position at the heart of France. The track is close to Nevers, a city with centuries of history to discover, situated on the banks of the river Loire. The region has lots to offer too, so when the racing is finished you can choose to indulge in a spot of tourism.
INCREDIBLE VALUE
As you’ve learned, there is a huge amount on offer – and all of this can be enjoyed at an exceptional price. A weekend ticket costs just 25€ for adults and 10€ for 10–17-year-olds. This includes access to the paddock and grandstands, no fewer than 15 races, plus a chance to experience the behind-the-scenes atmosphere and take part in the pit walks. Kids are well catered for too, with activities such as an inflatable park, easy drift, and mini quads to keep every member of the family entertained.
You can also choose to attend Sunday only and enjoy seven races – including GT World Challenge, FFSA GT and FFSA TC – for just 15€. This price includes access to the paddock and grandstands. VIP packs are also available and include lounge access, grid walks, refreshments and more.