The bold new plan to save GT amateur racing

When motorsport fans think of “heroes,” they usually picture factory drivers battling for tenths of a second at Spa or Le Mans. However, the financial reality of customer racing is quite different: it is the ambitious amateurs and “gentleman drivers” who keep the sport alive.

The “GT Summer Series,” scheduled to launch in April 2026, aims to bring this specific demographic out of the shadow of the pros. After recently unveiling a revolutionary driver-based Balance of Performance (BoP), the organisers are now focusing on the “show” aspect within the paddock.

Markus Gedlich, CEO of Gedlich Racing, plans to create a central hub called the “Heroes Arena.” The concept involves moving the “grid walk” experience off the track and into a dedicated stage area for fans, teams, and sponsors. 

Question: Markus, in part 1 of our interview, your colleagues explained the technical parity of the GT Summer Series. Now you are launching the “Heroes Arena”. What is the idea behind that?

Markus Gedlich: In most racing series, we see that the public appreciation for everyone involved in motorsport falls far short of what it should be. Whether drivers, mechanics, assistants, wives, or team bosses – every single person does a job that is characterised by passion and dedication far beyond the norm. For us, these are the true heroes of motorsport. To showcase them appropriately, we have created the Heroes Arena, a designated outdoor area right next to our race office, where the focus will be on these heroes of motorsport throughout the day.

Question: An event area in the paddock is not entirely new. What exactly will the programme in this arena look like to encourage spectators to linger there?

Gedlich: The Heroes Arena will be a hub of constant action throughout the race weekend. There will always be something going on here. There will be a schedule so that spectators and participants can see what is happening there at any given time. This could be team presentations, but also sponsors showcasing their products or individual vehicles on display. Since it’s all happening in the middle of our paddock and the area is right in front of our race office, everything that happens in the Heroes Arena is always the centre of attention. There will be autograph sessions for the drivers, where fans can come to the Heroes Arena and meet the drivers up close. 

Question: You mentioned integrating the race cars there as well. Does that replace the classic starting grid on the track?

Gedlich: The highlight of the Heroes Arena will be the celebrated starting grid of the GT Summer Series. The entire field of vehicles will form its grid in several slots and will be available for photos, interviews, and insights into the teams’ preparations, just like an extended grid on the starting line. Our goal is to put the spotlight not only on the amateur drivers who are particularly important to us, but also on the team members who contribute significantly to our success. Just like on a grid on the track, the race cars will be presented to the audience, the livestream, and our Fan Cam – only with much less time restrictions than on a grid on the track and therefore with wonderful opportunities for visibility.

Question: How should we imagine this visually – will all the vehicles even fit in there?

Gedlich: Depending on the track and space conditions at the location in question, the Heroes Arena will easily accommodate 10 cars. The arena is permanently branded with the Summer Series logo and series sponsors. This means that it is immediately clear where you are at all times and the identity of the series is carried with every appearance. Teams can register to use the Heroes Arena and use it for presentations, social media content, or team photos. To do this, our basic branding can be expanded to include that of the team.

Question: What is your long-term vision for this concept until the end of the 2026 season?

Gedlich: We want to look back on five events and be able to say that we have finally brought the heroes of motorsport as close to their fans as they deserve to be. We want them to get the attention they deserve for all their enthusiasm. We want as many racing fans as possible to experience their heroes up close, get to know their teams, and witness their dedication and commitment. We want to look back and say that we have brought amateur motorsport to the forefront of public awareness and that our drivers and teams have achieved this through the Heroes Arena and our support.

Calendar for the 2026 GT Summer Series

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

Gedlich Racing Test Days 2026

17 April 2026: Hockenheimring
28 May 2026: Oschersleben
14 July 2026: Nürburgring Sprint Circuit
15 July 2026: Red Bull Ring (Austria)
16 July 2026: Oschersleben
18 August 2026: Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit
29–30 September 2026: Portimao (Portugal)
1 October 2026: Hockenheimring

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– The Autosport.com Team