Levelling the playing field: GT Summer Series ready for Hockenheim debut

It is the classic conundrum of modern Pro-Am GT racing: How do you keep a championship appealing for highly successful professional teams while simultaneously ensuring that gentleman drivers stay competitive and engaged? If the pros disappear into the distance, the amateurs quickly lose interest. From April 17-19, Gedlich Racing’s new GT Summer Series (GTSS) makes its debut at the Hockenheimring, presenting an elegant solution to this very problem.

The organisers are utilising a Balance of Performance (BoP) concept that takes the Pro-Am philosophy to its logical conclusion. Rather than simply balancing the cars, the BoP is adjusted based on driver categorisation. Line-ups featuring professional drivers will face stricter performance parameters. Conversely, pure Bronze line-ups — the true amateurs — will benefit from a performance boost, running with less weight and more power. It’s a clever, innovative strategy designed to bunch up the 20+ car grid and deliver fair, thrilling motorsport across all classes.

Strong Audi Contingent and Brand Variety

The stage is set for the premiere: At the Hockenheimring, fans can expect a diverse starting grid of over 20 GT race cars.

Photo: Gedlich Racing

The fact that the GTSS concept is resonating well within the paddock is evident from the entry list. The Audi contingent is particularly strong, featuring multiple R8 LMS GT3 Evo II machines. Pierre Lemmerz will pilot one of the V10 contenders, and is expected to be joined by his driver coach, Alexander Kroker, for the 50-minute pitstop race.

Lemmerz is in good company. CCS Racing, Gruhn Motorsport, and Equipe Vitesse are also placing their trust in the V10 machinery from Ingolstadt. Adding visual and acoustic variety to the GT3 grid are Leipert Motorsport with a Lamborghini Huracan, DB Motorsport with a Porsche 911 GT3 R, and Polish squad PTT Racing. After an impressive Winter Series campaign, PTT Racing aims to challenge for summer honours with Przemyslaw Bienkowski and Mateusz Lisowski in their Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo.

Pure Motorsport romance: The return of Franz Binder

The GT Summer Series also prides itself on providing an open and welcoming environment, which is particularly visible in the Cup, GT4, TCX, and GTX classes. Alongside established teams like W&S Motorsport, the grid features incredible stories of pure racing passion.

The most heartwarming narrative belongs to Franz Binder. The Austrian, who clinched his national Formula 3 Cup title back in 1987, is making his competitive motorsport comeback after years of hiatus! He will be taming a nearly 600-bhp Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo. Competing under a national license, his car will be capped at 3.0 kg per hp per DMSB regulations — a perfect example of how the series flexibly accommodates a wide range of driver profiles.

Stuttgart’s finest: DB Motorsport adds a splash of yellow and raw flat-six power to the Hockenheim grid with Hermann Speck's Porsche 911 GT3 R.

Photo by: Gedlich Racing

To ensure all newcomers and amateurs receive the best possible support, five-time Le Mans winner Frank Biela will be on-site as the championship's dedicated "driver’s mentor," offering invaluable guidance throughout the weekend.

The track action at Hockenheim will feature two 30-minute sprint races and a 50-minute endurance race. Trackside access for fans is priced at a very reasonable €20, and the GT Summer Series will broadcast the entire event live and for free on their global YouTube channel.

2026 GT Summer Series Calendar

April 17–19, 2026: Hockenheimring (Germany)
May 29–31, 2026: Oschersleben (Germany)
June 25–28, 2026: Nürburgring (Germany)
August 27–30, 2026: Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium)
October 2–4, 2026: Hockenheimring (Germany)