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When enthusiasts of motorsport imagine “heroes,” they often envision factory drivers competing for fractions of a second at venues like Spa or Le Mans. Nevertheless, the financial aspect of customer racing is quite distinct: it’s the determined amateurs and “gentleman drivers” who sustain the sport.

The “GT Summer Series,” set to begin in April 2026, seeks to highlight this particular group of individuals beyond the spotlight of professional athletes. Following the recent announcement of ainnovative driver-focused Balance of Performance (BoP), the organizers are currently emphasizing the “show” element inside the paddock.

Markus Gedlich, the chief executive of Gedlich Racing, intends to establish a central facility known as the “Heroes Arena.” The idea is to transfer the “grid walk” experience from the track to a specialized stage area for spectators, teams, and sponsors.

Question: Markus, in part one of our interview, your colleagues discussed the technical equivalence of the GT Summer Series. Now you are introducing the “Heroes Arena”. What is the concept behind it?

Markus Gedlich:In most motorsport competitions, the public’s recognition of those involved often doesn’t match what they deserve. From drivers, to mechanics, assistants, spouses, or team managers – each individual performs a role defined by passion and commitment that goes well beyond the ordinary. For us, these are the genuine heroes of racing. To properly honor them, we have established the Heroes Arena, an open-air space located just beside our race headquarters, where these motorsport heroes will be the central focus throughout the day.

Question:A designated area in the pit lane is not completely new. What will the schedule in this space include to entice fans to stay there?

Gedlich:The Heroes Arena will be a center of continuous activity during the race weekend. There will always be something happening here. A schedule will be available so that spectators and participants can know what is taking place at any time. This may include team presentations, as well as sponsors displaying their products or individual cars being shown. As it is located in the middle of our paddock and right in front of our race office, everything that occurs in the Heroes Arena will always attract attention. There will also be autograph sessions for the drivers, allowing fans to come to the Heroes Arena and meet the drivers up close.

Question:You talked about incorporating the race cars there too. Does this take the place of the traditional starting grid on the track?

Gedlich:The main attraction of the Heroes Arena will be the well-known starting grid of the GT Summer Series. All the vehicles will be arranged in different positions and will be accessible for photographs, interviews, and a look at the teams’ preparations, similar to an expanded grid on the starting line. Our aim is to focus not only on the amateur drivers who are very important to us, but also on the team members who play a crucial role in our achievements. Just like on a track grid, the race cars will be shown to the audience, the live stream, and our Fan Cam – but with far fewer time constraints than on a track grid, offering excellent visibility opportunities.

Markus Gedlich, Chief Executive Officer of Gedlich Racing

Photo: Gedlich / FROZENSPEED MOTORSPORT PHOTOGRAPHY / JOCHEN VAN CAUWEN

Question:How can we visualize this – will all the vehicles actually fit inside?

Gedlich:Depending on the track and available space at the specific location, the Heroes Arena can comfortably fit 10 cars. The arena is permanently marked with the Summer Series logo and the logos of the series’ sponsors. This ensures that it’s always obvious where you are, and the series’ identity is evident with every appearance. Teams have the option to sign up for the use of the Heroes Arena for events, social media posts, or team photographs. For this, our standard branding can be enhanced to include the team’s own branding.

Question:What is your long-term plan for this idea by the conclusion of the 2026 season?

Gedlich:We aim to reflect on five key moments and confidently state that we have successfully brought the legends of motorsport closer to their fans than ever before. We want them to receive the recognition they truly deserve for their passion. We hope as many motorsport enthusiasts as possible can get an up-close experience with their idols, learn about their teams, and see their hard work and devotion. We want to look back and say that we have placed amateur motorsport in the spotlight and that our drivers and teams have accomplished this through the Heroes Arena and our assistance.

2026 GT Summer Series Schedule

April 17 – April 19, 2026: Hockenheimring (Germany)

May 29 – May 31, 2026: Oschersleben (Germany)

June 25 to June 28, 2026: Nürburgring (Germany)

27th to 30th August 2026: Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium)

2–4 October 2026: Hockenheimring (Germany)

Gedlich Racing Testing Days 2026

17 April 2026: Hockenheimring

28 May 2026: Oschersleben

July 14, 2026: Nürburgring Sprint Circuit

15th July 2026: Red Bull Ring (Austria)

16 July 2026: Oschersleben

August 18, 2026: Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit

29–30 September 2026: Portimao (Portugal)

1 October 2026: Hockenheimring