The Pirelli Gran Turismo Championship heads south this weekend to Victorias Winton Raceway, for round four of the sports GT based series.

The marques of Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche and Maserati will see plenty of track time on Friday and Saturday before doing battle over three 17 lap sprint races on Sunday.

With only 20 championship points separating the top 3 drivers as we near the half way mark of the series, this weekend’s racing is sure to be some of the best yet.

I know Roger (Lago) and Jim (Manolios) wont be giving me any room this weekend,Championship leader Rod Wilson said.

And with Ted Huglin in the Lambo Im certainly going to be kept busy, he added.

In an effort to boost competitor numbers, promoter Trofeo Motorsport this week announced the formation of a new Sportsman class to the Championship.

Aimed at a lower power-to-weight ratio than the existing GT cars already contesting the series, the Sportsman class will be open to European GT4 class type cars, selected ex-Performance Car category class cars and other volume manufactured sports cars with limited modifications. All sportsman cars will use Pirelli slick control tyres.

Trofeo is encouraged by the feedback for the Pirelli Gran Turismo Championship thus far. We know we have a great package we just need the competitors to come and find out for themselves. We do not have series fees or start-up entry fees, just a simple pay as you play entry package understanding that the majority of amateur drivers that own these cars do not want to be locked into a full year race program,series administrator Melissa Roberts said.

With Pirelli appointed as the official tyre supplier to the Performance Car category in 2007 and the downturn in that class since losing their spot on the V8 Supercar calendar, there is an abundance of cars in garages with nowhere to race, Roberts added.

We see this as an opportunity to give those cars a home, and whilst they will track-share with the outright GT cars, we have a unique separate TV production that will cover the classes individually, providing Sportsman competitors the same value for their entry as the outright cars.

Factor in our exclusive TV program, coverage on the series website, advertising and exposure in the mainstream Motorsport publications, and discounts on additional race tyres and the Pirelli passenger tyre range, and you have without doubt the best value package in Australian Motorsport.

The Sportsman class will also feature Trofeo Motorsports unique entry package that includes the round entry fee, four Pirelli slick race tyres, Friday practice, garaging and catering for the weekend. Six rounds remain in the 2008 Championship, with Winton Motor Raceway hosting round four on June 14-15.

Competitors are;

4 Ted Huglin Lamborghin Gallardo GT3
7 Steven Kepper Porsche 997 GT3 Cup car
11 Roger Lago Porsche 997 Cup car
28 Rod Wilson Maserati GT3
29 Jim Manolios Maserati GT3
43 Dave Stevens Ferrari 430 Challenge
80 Nick O’Halloran Ferrari 360 Challenge

Overall championship points.

1 28 Rod Wilson 2006 Maserati GT3 68 points
2 11 Roger Lago 2006 Porsche 997 GTS 66 Points
3 29 Jim Manolios 2006 Maserati GT3 48 Points
4 969 Scott Lyddiard Dodge Viper 99 41 Points
5 88 John Teulan Ferrari F430C 35 points
6 57 Ross Lilley Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 28 points
6 2 Kevin Miller Ferrari F430 28 points
8 43 Dave Stevens Ferrari 430 GT3 26 points
9 91 Graeme Cook 2000 Porsche RSR 24 points
10 40 Russell Kempnich Porsche GT3 2000 11 points