FIA GT Championship seeks headline sponsor for £5m deal

International motorsport series the FIA GT Championship is looking for its first headline sponsor. The deal, which will start next year, is likely to be worth about £5m.

The series is now keen to raise awareness of the Championship by offering a sponsorship package that includes the series rights. It claims that it is a viable and more affordable alternative to Formula One.

GT racing features the world’s most aspirational marques, including Ferrari, Lamborghini,ÂMaserati and Porsche, and attracts estimatedÂaudiencesÂof 200 million around the world.

In 1997, it became only the third series permitted to use the FIA title after F1 and the World Rally Championship. It is bidding to become an official World Championship by 2007 by introducing races in the US, Australia and Japan.

The revival of GT racing began in 1994 with the BPR Endurance Series. That was subsequently restructured under the control of the Stephane Ratel Organisation (SRO), which now runs three GT championships – the other two being the British GT Championship and the French GT Championship. SRO Marketing Services managing director Ian Forbes says the sponsor will benefit from brand association with the most famous car marques in the world.

He adds: “This international series is fast becoming a real alternative for sponsors who want global exposure, prestige and technology associations, along with a show on the track that will keep their guests and spectators enthralled.”