Blancpain GT Series Sprint and Endurance entry lists revealed

The entry lists for the Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup and Endurance Cup have been announced, with eleven GT3 manufacturers set to take part.

A total of 57 entries have been accepted for the Endurance Cup, matching the number from last year, whilst the Sprint Cup takes on four fewer cars in 2017 with 34 teams listed.

Of those, 30 entries are committing to both the Sprint and Endurance Cup calendars to be in with a chance of winning the overall Blancpain GT Series title at the end of the season.

“Even though last year’s starting grids were already very impressive, we are very happy to see that the 2017 Blancpain GT Series will again be a reference when it comes to GT racing," said series boss and SRO Motorsports CEO Stéphane Ratel.

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"With plenty of new teams and the best GT drivers in the world on the starting grid we have plenty to look forward to in the upcoming season."

"I can't wait to be at the start of the first race. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our loyal partners, especially Blancpain and Pirelli, without whom this would not be possible."

Mercedes, Audi, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Jaguar, BMW, Ferrari, Nissan, Lamborghini, Bentley and Porsche are all represented on the Endurance Cup list.

Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup entry list

Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup entry list

Defending Endurance drivers' champions Rob Bell and Come Ledogar return in a McLaren 650S GT3, run by former LMP1 outfit Strakka Racing.

The pair will join forces with British rising star Ben Barnicoat as part of a four-car entry for the McLaren factory-backed team which replaces Garage 59 this season. All four McLarens are also registered for the Sprint Cup campaign.

Bentley returns to the Endurance and Sprint championships with a pair of Continental GT3s run by M-Sport, while Audi works outfit WRT is also back for another season with four cars in Endurance and five in Sprint.

Adding to the list of marques running dual programmes is Mercedes, with HTP Motosport looking to improve on its two runner up finishes in last season's standings.

BMW's presence is led by defending Spa 24 Hours race winner ROWE Racing, which returns with two full-season entries in both Endurance and Sprint. Blancpain newcomer Walkenhorst Motorsport adds to the German brand's involvement, also fielding two cars in Endurance (one in Am).

Nissan has confirmed its two RJN-run GTRs for the Endurance Cup only, including the sportscar debut of McLaren BRDC Award winner Matt Parry.

The two Italian manufacturers, Ferrari and Lamborghini, feature a mix of teams with factory drivers on both sides.

Kaspersky Motorsport has enlisted the services of Giancarlo Fisichella and WEC driver James Calado, alongside Marco Cioci, for its Ferrari 488 GT3 entry.

Other Ferrari teams listed include Kessel Racing, Rinaldi Racing, AF Corse, SMP Racing and Spirit of Race.

For Lamborghini, a total of 10 cars are set to run in the Endurance Cup, with six entered into the Sprint.

Grasser Racing, Attempto Racing, Barwell Motorsport, Orange 1 Team Lazarus, Team HB Racing, Raton Racing and Ombra Racing are all representing the marque in 2017.

The Blancpain GT Series begins with the Sprint Cup curtain raiser at Misano on April 2, before the Endurance Cup season roars into life at Monza on April 23.