up2race will make its debut on the international GT3 scene in 2027, competing in the International GT Open with a Porsche 911 GT3 R.
up2race is planning a wide-ranging international GT3 programme for the 2027 season. The team from Nerdlen will contest the full season in the International GT Open with a Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo. As part of their preparations, the team will also compete in the GT Winter Series. Further guest appearances in racing series such as the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS are also possible.
In 2026, the team spent a year learning the ropes with ‘Goldy’, a Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo in an eye-catching gold-chrome livery. The team undertook an extensive testing programme with the car and competed in selected races. The absolute highlight was a commanding victory at the 24 Hours of Barcelona in September.
In 2027, the team from Nerdlen will enter the International GT Open, one of Europe’s leading GT3 championships. The racing calendar comprises eight rounds, most of which feature two sprint races. At Spa-Francorchamps and Monza, the International GT Open will stage one 500-kilometre endurance race at each venue. In total, the series will visit six current Formula 1 circuits.
The car will be driven in the International GT Open by Ukrainian Oleksii Kikireshko and former DTM championship leader Tim Heinemann, who is regarded as one of the fastest drivers in the Porsche 911 GT3 R. Heinemann also acts as a driving coach to former professional footballer Oleksii Kikireshko.
To prepare for the season, the team will compete in the GT Winter Series on the Iberian Peninsula during the winter months. Alongside Heinemann, Fabio Grosse will take turns with Kikireshko in the cockpit of the Porsche. Through the GEDLICH Racing series, the team aims to prepare as well as possible for the challenge of the International GT Open and to have a significant say in the battle for the title.
Team principal Patrick Schneider is looking forward to up2race’s international GT3 programme: “The International GT Open is one of the best-known international GT3 racing series, so we are delighted that we will be competing in the series with a Porsche next year. With Kika and Tim, we have a formidable driver duo in the Pro-Am class. We want to carry the momentum from last year’s strong results into the season and fight for strong results there. Over the winter months, we will use the GT Winter Series to prepare for the season. The starting grid will see significant growth in the coming season, so this will be the perfect preparation for us ahead of the summer season.”
International GT Open 2027 Race Calendar:
09.04. – 11.04. – Portimão (PRT)
30.04. – 02.05. – Spa-Francorchamps* (BEL)
14.05. – 16.05. – Silverstone (GBR)
04.06. – 06.06. – Misano (ITA)
02.07. – 04.07. – Budapest (HUN)
16.07. – 18.07. – Le Castellet (FRA)
17.09. – 19.09. – Monza* (ITA)
08.10. – 10.10. – Barcelona (ESP)
*GT Open 500km
GT Winter Series 2027 race calendar:
14.01. – 17.01. – Portimão (PRT)
21.01. – 24.01. – Estoril (PRT)
11.02. – 14.02. – Jérez (ESP)
25.02. – 28.02. – Barcelona (ESP)
04.03. – 07.03. – Valencia (ESP)