The ADAC GT Masters will introduce several innovations in 2016 for its tenth season. Drivers will compete for 50,000 euros prize money in the overall standings on each of the seven Super Sports Car League race weekends. A new junior classification reserved for young talents will complement the existing rankings. In addition, a more compact schedule will ensure more action on both race days next year.

Prize money will be substantially increased next season. 500,000 euros in cash and prizes will be paid out in total. Drivers contesting the overall standings will compete for 25,000 euros in prize money in each of the 14 races. A junior standings which will be exclusively for young racers is set to be introduced. Silver-rated drivers aged under 25 will be eligible to enter. Prizes to the value of 75,000 euros will be awarded both in the junior class and in the Gentlemen category next year.

The two days of racing at the seven events will become much more exciting for fans. Qualifying will be held on Saturday and Sunday mornings in future. Events will become more compact through the introduction of free practice sessions on Friday afternoons, which will reduce costs for participants.

Registration for the 2016 season is now open and can be made online only at: www.adac.de/gt-masters. Teams who enrol for the ADAC GT Masters 2016 before November 27th, 2015, can benefit from attractive preferential terms. The deadline for full season entries for the 2016 season is March 14th, 2016.

"The changes we've planned to introduce will improve the ADAC GT Masters even further for the 2016 season," said ADAC Sport President Hermann Tomczyk. "The prize money is exceptionally good, and the junior class represents a sensible addition which will make it possible for ambitious young talents to shine."

"Next season's ADAC GT Masters will become more attractive than ever before to participants with measures to reduce costs and increase prize money," said ADAC Director of Motorsport and Classic Motoring, Lars Soutschka. "Our new calendar, the joint event with the DTM and the new supercars mean that we can look forward to an exciting anniversary season."

Many new, spectacular supercars like the Mercedes-AMG GT3, BMW M6 GT3 and new models such as the Audi R8, Porsche 911 and Corvette will be eligible to line up in the ADAC GT Masters next year and attract even greater interest. The balance of performance concept will ensure equality of opportunity between the supercars of the new generation and models fielded previously in 2015.

SPORT1 will again broadcast all ADAC GT Masters races live and in full on free-to-air TV next year. Germany's leading sports broadcaster has extended its rights to the TV contract up to and including 2017 before it was due for renewal.