Ultimate fan checklist for GT World Challenge America at Sonoma Raceway

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Sports car racing is making its way to California for some high-speed and high-powered action at Sonoma Raceway.

The GT World Challenge North America and four supporting series are coming to Sonoma Raceway this weekend with several events scheduled throughout the next couple of days.

Here’s what to know about the race weekend at Sonoma Raceway.

Know the classes for the GT World Challenge Sonoma race weekend

There are five different series running at a given weekend, Sonoma Raceway included. Here’s a look at each of the series, with some comparisons to NASCAR.

GT World Challenge America: The GT World Challenge America is the premier series of the North American GT series, contributing to the GT World Challenge championship. These cars the most powerful of the weekend. Think of this series similar to the NASCAR Cup Series.

GT America: The GT America series runs some of the more well-known sports cars, including the Mercedes-AMG GT3, the Ferrari 296 GT3, BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Porsche 992 GT3 R and the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R. These cars will have some power and speed, this series is most similar to the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Toyota GR Cup North America: The Toyota GR Cup North America will feature the Toyota GR86. This series is most similar to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with drivers trying to work their way up.

Pirelli GT4 America: The Pirelli GT4 America series has two drivers per team with multiple classes of racing and cars, including the Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4, Nissan Z NISMO GT4, Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport. These cars are considered “club cars” or cars that are closer to “production cars,” meaning what people usually drive.

TC America: This is the entry series into the GT World Challenge, it’s the first rung of the ladder. It’s similar to the ARCA Menards Series drivers working to the NASCAR Cup Series. This series features some smaller cars, including the Toyota GR Corolla TC, Acura Integra Type S and the Mazda 3 TC.

Check out driver autograph sessions for GT World Challenge America

There are two autograph sessions set for this weekend with several classes and series set to interact with fans. These sessions are under the main grandstands.

Saturday, March 29 (1:30 p.m. PT): Drivers from the GT World Challenge America, Pirelli GT4 America, TC America and McLaren Trophy will be in attendance to sign autographs for fans.

Sunday, March 30 (10:45 a.m. PT): Drivers from the GT America and Toyota GR Cup series will be at the autograph area to interact with fans.

Sonoma Raceway cooler, food policy

The cooler policy at Sonoma Raceway allows fans to bring backpacks and tote bags under 18x18x14 inches and soft-sided coolers under 14x14x14 inches. A maximum of two bags per person are permitted through the ticket gates.

Know what not to bring into Sonoma Raceway

Here are the items are not allowed at Sonoma Raceway:

Aerosol cans (with the exception of sunscreen, sun block, hand sanitizer, and bug spray)
Glass or ceramic containers of any kind
Displays of the Confederate Flag
Foam or hard-sided coolers regardless of size
Frisbees, Balloons or any other Projectile
Inline Skates/Skateboards/Bicycles/Hover Boards
Laser Pointers, Noise Makers and Air Horns
Lawn Chairs and Stadium-Type Seats with Legs (all cushions must sit flat against your seat)
Tripods and monopods that are either solid or collapsible
Umbrellas in Seating Areas
Weapons, including, but not limited to, guns, knives, stun guns, and pepper spray

All items and persons are subject to search and seizure. You can choose to take prohibited items back to your car or surrender them at security. Once an item is surrendered it cannot be reclaimed.

Be on the lookout for GT World Challenge America, Sonoma Raceway merchandise

There are merchandise stores and areas around the raceway to purchase Sonoma Raceway items and series-specific items to remember the weekend at the racetrack.

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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: GT World Challenge America: Ultimate fan checklist Sonoma race weekend