IMSA SportsCar Championship

IMSA SportsCar Championship
Name	IMSA SportsCar Championship
Category	Sports car racing
Country/region	United States
Inaugural	2014
Director	John Doonan
Classes	GTP, LMP2, GTD Pro, GTD
Engine manufacturers	Acura, BMW, Cadillac, Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Chevrolet, others
Tire suppliers	Michelin
Related championships	WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, FIA World Endurance Championship, European Le Mans Series

IMSA SportsCar Championship. The premier sports car racing series in North America, sanctioned by the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). It was formed in 2014 through the merger of the American Le Mans Series and the Rolex Sports Car Series, creating a unified championship. The series features multiple classes of prototypes and grand touring cars competing simultaneously in endurance events and sprint races.

History

The championship's formation was a landmark moment in North American motorsport, ending a decades-long split between the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and the Grand-Am-sanctioned Rolex Sports Car Series. Key figures like Jim France of NASCAR and Don Panoz were instrumental in the merger under the IMSA banner. Since its inaugural season in 2014, the series has seen significant evolution, including the introduction of the DPi regulations in 2017 and their successor, the GTP class, in 2023. Major manufacturers such as Cadillac, Porsche, and Acura have been central to its growth, with the series maintaining a strong technical partnership with the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), organizers of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Series structure

The championship calendar typically consists of over ten events, ranging from iconic endurance classics to shorter sprint formats. The schedule is anchored by the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, and the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. The season is divided into several championships, including the overall WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for teams and drivers, and separate Michelin Endurance Cup and IMSA Sprint Cup titles. Points are awarded based on finishing position, with additional points available at specific intervals during the longer endurance races. The series is governed by IMSA officials, with technical regulations developed in coordination with the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).

Classes and cars

Competition is divided into four primary classes, each with distinct technical regulations. The top-tier GTP class features hybrid-powered prototypes from manufacturers like Acura, BMW, Cadillac, and Porsche, utilizing a common LMDh chassis. The LMP2 class is for spec Gibson-engined prototypes, providing a cost-capped platform for professional and amateur drivers. The GTD Pro and GTD classes both feature GT3-specification cars from marques including Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, Chevrolet, and Lexus; GTD Pro is for professional crews, while GTD requires a mix of professional and amateur drivers. All cars compete on control Michelin tires.

Notable races

The crown jewels of the series are the four races that comprise the Michelin Endurance Cup. These are the Rolex 24 at Daytona at Daytona International Speedway, the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring at Sebring International Raceway, the 6 Hours of The Glen at Watkins Glen International, and the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. Other significant events include the Grand Prix of Long Beach, a prestigious street race, and the Detroit Sports Car Classic on Belle Isle. The series also visits classic circuits like Laguna Seca, Road America, and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

Champions

The series has crowned champions across its various classes each season. Notable overall champions include teams like Action Express Racing, Wayne Taylor Racing, and Chip Ganassi Racing. Legendary drivers such as Dane Cameron, Jordan Taylor, Filipe Albuquerque, and Tom Blomqvist have claimed multiple titles. Manufacturers' championships are fiercely contested, with Acura, Cadillac, and Porsche frequently battling for supremacy. The GT Le Mans (GTLM) class, now replaced by GTD Pro, featured champions from Corvette Racing and Porsche GT Team.

Television and media coverage

In the United States, television coverage is primarily provided by NBC Sports, with races broadcast on NBC, USA Network, and CNBC. The flagship endurance races, the Rolex 24 at Daytona and Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, receive extensive live coverage. International coverage is distributed through networks like MotorTrend in various territories. IMSA also offers a premium streaming service, IMSA.tv, which provides live coverage and onboard cameras outside of NBC's domestic rights area. Radio coverage is supplied by Radio Le Mans.

Category:Sports car racing series Category:International Motor Sports Association Category:Motorsport competitions in the United States