What The GT? Explaining Assetto Corsa Competizione Class Order

GT3 GT2 GT4 Explained.jpg
The GT2 recently class joined the Assetto Corsa Competizione roster creating more confusion surrounding the SRO class structure. Never fear, let us explain what GT2, GT3 and GT4 are and how they compare.

Across its many disciplines, motorsport has formed a number of ladder progression systems. To race in Formula One, drivers climb from F4 through F3 and F2. Those looking to win the NASCAR Cup Series must go through the ARCA series, and join the Trucks and Xfinity championships.

But in GT racing, numbered classes are not quite what they seem. In fact, nameplates like GT1 and GT2 may exist in SRO racing. But it is the GT3 class that sits at the top of the castle. No, we do not think the SRO group thought things through either.

Following the recent addition of the GT2 class to Assetto Corsa Competizione, we thought it best to explain the GT ladder. So where does each SRO class in ACC line up? In very brief terms, the class structure in ACC is as follows: GT3, GT2 and GT4 from fastest to slowest. Keep reading for all the details explaining this rather order.

GT4 - Stays at the back.jpg


GT3: The Top ACC Class​

Present in Assetto Corsa Competizione from its inception, the GT3 category is well and truly the top dog of GT racing. It features as the top racing category in many endurance events such as the Dubai and Nürburgring 24-hour races. This year, it will be one of just two classes in the World Endurance Championship, sitting under Hypercar.

It first launched in the mid-2000s with a variety of single-make models such as Porsche Cup and the Maserati Coupe. But it has now grown to one of the most competitive racing categories in the world, welcoming over a dozen manufacturers. Here is the full list of currently homologated GT3 cars:
  • Audi R8 LMS GT3
  • Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3
  • Bentley Continental GT3
  • BMW M4 GT3
  • Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R
  • Ferrari 296 GT3
  • Ford Mustang GT3
  • Honda/Acura NSX GT3
  • Lamborghini Huracan GT3
  • Lexus RC-F GT3
  • McLaren 720S GT3
  • Mercedes-AMG GT3
  • Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3
  • Porsche 911 GT3 R
GT3 top dog in ACC.jpg


As ACC racers will know, these are cars featuring complex electronic aids such as intricate TC and ABS systems. However, they are also raw machines with great aerodynamic downforce along with technical suspension setups providing excellent mechanical grip.

The result is a car that is approachable for racers with less experience. But when in the hands of a true professional, will produce some mighty lap times. In recent times however, this beginner-friendly aspect has been lost to the pursuit of speed.

GT2: A Gentleman’s GT3​

Seeing that its headlining class has lost its way, the SRO introduced the GT2 class in 2018. These are cars that attempt to match GT3 speeds. But they manage to do so in a far more approachable way. How you may ask? Power and speed.

Out-pacing GT3’s circa 550hp with a whopping 700hp, the GT2 cars are missiles down the straights. However, they do not come anywhere near the top flight models in the corners. Additional weight and far less downforce slows these cars down over a lap.

Last week, we mentioned that this David and Goliath nature of GT2 and GT3 classes in ACC makes them a fun combination in racing scenarios. Check out that article here.

GT2 is the middle class.jpg


A new category, the GT2 class features just seven homologated models in its ranks at the time of writing. However, each year sees new manufacturers commit. Here is the full list of GT2 cars in real motorsport:
  • Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport
  • Audi R8 LMS GT2
  • KTM X-BOW GT2
  • Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo GT2
  • Brabham BT63 GT2
  • Mercedes-AMG GT2
  • Maserati MC20 GT2
It is worth noting that an equally-named Group GT2 class raced throughout the late-1990s and 2000s. However, they are unrelated categories. The older class was a step above GT3 and became the GTE category in 2010. The renaming took place along with modifications to enable longer stint lengths, separating it and GT3, which was in a period of growth.

GT4: Entry Level Racing​

You may now be wondering how real racers manage to compete in the top echelons of GT racing. The answer is GT4. This class also features in Assetto Corsa Competizione, although its popularity does not rival that of GT3.

GT4 is the lowest ACC class.jpg


Far slower than the other two SRO GT categories, GT4 cars have very minimal aero as one will deduce from their small wings. Furthermore, power is typically less than even the road-going equivalents, sitting around the 400hp mark.

In fact, whilst the road cars that birth GT3 and GT2 racers sit in the supercar realm, GT4 models traditionally emerge from sportscar roots. Here is the full list of 2023 GT4 machinery.
  • Alpine A110 GT4
  • Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4
  • Audi R8 LMS GT4
  • BMW M4 GT4
  • Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R
  • Ford Mustang GT4
  • Ginetta G56 GT4
  • Lotus Emira GT4
  • McLaren Artura GT4
  • Mercedes AMG GT4
  • Nissan Z GT4
  • Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport
  • Toyota GR Supra GT4
  • Panoz Avezzano GT4
With their low power, lack of complex equipment and relatively low running costs, GT4 cars make for excellent first steps in the sportscar racing world. In fact, most modern GT3 professionals will have learnt their craft aboard these fun racers.

Which Assetto Corsa Competizione class do you prefer? Does the naming confuse you? Tell us on Twitter at @OverTake_gg or in the comments down below!
About author
Angus Martin
Motorsport gets my blood pumping more than anything else. Be it physical or virtual, I'm down to bang doors.

Comments

I like the old GT... both that Classic GT from GT Legends and the mod (from Bazza, I believe) to AC, plus FIA GT1 cars presented both on old Simbin GTR games and at AMS2.

Will not argue about the real series, but from a simulator perspective, can't really understand how many top players got stuck with modern GT3 having all these more challenging cars to drive. But I can understand the average players and beginners liking to have nerfed street supercars.

About ACC, my favorites still are the GT4 cars because they both offer closer racing and cars that are a little less tamed.
 
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I like the old GT... both that Classic GT from GT Legends and the mod (from Bazza, I believe) to AC, plus FIA GT1 cars presented both on old Simbin GTR games and at AMS2.

Will not argue about the real series, but from a simulator perspective, can't really understand how many top players got stuck with modern GT3 having all these more challenging cars to drive. But I can understand the average players and beginners liking to have nerfed street supercars.

About ACC, my favorites still are the GT4 cars because they both offer closer racing and cars that are a little less tamed.
It's just such a shame no-one races the GT4s online! Plus, the AI is so bad (IMO) that it's not worth trying to race offline GT4 races in ACC.

But I agree, the old school GT cars are so much more fun! RSS GT is probably my favourite pack for AC!
 
All the cars listed in the article are really in ACC (DLC or not)? if some are missing now, will they be in the game at some point? The GT4 list is sick!
 
All the cars listed in the article are really in ACC (DLC or not)? if some are missing now, will they be in the game at some point? The GT4 list is sick!
No, the list here is real life Motorsport according to homologations in 2024.
The GT3 class in ACC is only missing the Ford and Corvette, the GT2 class is missing the Brabham and the GT4 class is pretty outdated nowadays.
 
Honestly I didn't know that the "GT2" name still existed anywhere. So after a quick read up on SRO GT2 (That I didn't even think was a real class until the DLC came out), I had assumed that the laptimes were gonna be similar to the old FIA/IMSA GT2 class, which were 2 - 3 seconds faster around Laguna Seca than GT3. I thought maybe I just sucked in the new cars.
 

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