IMSA reveals future class format, 2017 schedule

The 2017 WeatherTech Championship will mark the final season of eligibility for the single-spec PC class and its final season on track with the Prototypes, GT Le Mans and GT Daytona cars.

The PC class debuted as part of the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) in 2010, and next season will mark the eighth season of competition for the ORECA FLM09 chassis. Beginning in 2018, the WeatherTech Championship will shift to a three-class format comprised of P, GTLM and GTD.

For 2017, the Prototype class will feature the introduction of new Daytona Prototype international (DPi) and Le Mans Prototype 2 (LM P2) race cars. The GTLM and GTD classes both are expected to feature racecars built to Automobile Club de l’Ouest's GTE technical regulations for GTLM and Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) GT3 specifications for GTD.

While there no longer will be a separate Pro-Am Prototype class, Pro-Am drivers in the Prototype class may compete for Jim Trueman Award honors at each event and at season’s end. The year-end Jim Trueman Award winner will earn an automatic invitation to compete in the LMP2 class at the following year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Ed Bennett, IMSA CEO, said: “Over the past several months, we have engaged with nearly all of our stakeholders and competitors to gather their input and discuss the most appropriate way to modernize our various platforms. At the same time, we have analyzed trends in the global motorsports landscape to arrive at what we believe is the most logical strategy.

“While it’s impossible to make decisions that will satisfy the interests and needs of everyone, we feel confident that our plans for the future are sound and position our platforms for continued growth, stability and interest.”  

2017 schedule revealed

The 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship schedule features all 12 racetracks that have hosted the series since the 2015 season but includes a few notable alterations and date shifts for two events. The event at Circuit of The Americas which has been run in September since the WeatherTech Championship’s inception in 2014 and also hosted an American Le Mans Series event in September 2013, will move to the spring in 2017. In addition, the event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca shifts from May to September and becomes the series’ penultimate round.

IMSA president Scott Atherton commented: “These venues have outstanding support from race fans, and deliver exposure in important and strategic markets for our competitors and stakeholders.

“Aside from a couple of date changes and adjustments to the WeatherTech Championship content at some events, there are no major surprises. This schedule represents the stability of our racing platform and a continuation of IMSA featuring the best-of-the-best racetracks and event promoters.”

In addition to the full 2017 WeatherTech Championship schedule, IMSA officials also confirmed dates for four sanctioned test sessions, including two set for later this year. A two-day test for all four WeatherTech Championship classes has been scheduled for November 15-16, 2016 at Daytona International Speedway, followed by a second Daytona test for the Prototype, GTLM and GTD classes on December 13-14, 2016.

The annual Roar Before The Rolex 24 At Daytona three-day test is slated for January 6-8, 2017. A two-day test at Sebring International Raceway for the WeatherTech Championship also is scheduled for February 23-24, 2017.  

2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Schedule

Jan. 26-29, Rolex 24 at Daytona –  P/PC/GTLM/GTD

March 15-18, Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring – P/PC/GTLM/GTD

April 7-8, BUBBA burger SportsCar Grand Prix at Long Beach – P/GTLM/GTD (1h40m)

May 5-7, Circuit of The Americas – P/PC/GTLM/GTD, (2h40m)

June 2-3, Chevrolet Belle Isle Detroit Grand Prix – P/PC/GTD (1h40m)

June 30-July 2, Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen – P/PC/GTLM/GTD

July 7-9, Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix [Canadian Tire Motorsport Park] – P/PC/GTLM/GTD (2h40m)

July 21-22, IMSA WeatherTech Northeast Grand Prix [Lime Rock Park] GTLM/GTD(2h40m) 

Aug. 4-6, Continental Tire Road Race Showcase [Road America] – P/PC/GTLM/GTD (2h40m) 

Aug. 25-27, Michelin GT Challenge [VIR] – GTLM/GTD (2h40m)

Sept. 22-24, Continental Tire Monterey Grand Prix [Laguna Seca] – P/GTLM/GTD (2h40m)

Oct. 5-7, Petit Le Mans [Road Atlanta] – P/PC/GTLM/GTD (10 hours)

IMSA WeatherTech Championship-sanctioned tests

Nov. 15-16, 2016, Daytona International Speedway – P/PC/GTLM/GTD

Dec. 13-14, 2016, Daytona International Speedway – P/GTLM/GTD

Jan. 6-8, 2017, Roar Before The Rolex 24 at Daytona – P/PC/GTLM/GTD

Feb. 23-24, 2017, Sebring International Raceway – P/PC/GTLM/GTD