IMSA Launches Sebring ‘SuperSaturday’ iRacing Event

IMSA will be hosting a 90-minute iRacing online race, featuring star drivers from the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Michelin Pilot Challenge on Saturday in place of the planned Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, which has been rescheduled to November.

The sanctioning body announced Wednesday details of the ‘SuperSaturday’ event that will be centered around the virtual race on the popular sim platform.

The race begins at 2:30 p.m. ET with a 15-minute warm-up session from 2 to 2:15 p.m. and single-car qualifying from 2:15 to 2:25 p.m.

“IMSA is committed to delivering a realistic racing experience to our fans, competitors and partners this weekend,” said IMSA President John Doonan.

“Most IMSA drivers use iRacing or other simulators on a regular basis to sharpen their skills and prepare for upcoming races. This weekend, they will do it in front of an audience.

“We are grateful to iRacing and many of our other partners for creating this opportunity to entertain our loyal IMSA fans.”

Starting at 2:30 p.m. ET, the race will be streamed live on iRacing’s Twitch channel and the iRacing eSports Network on YouTube. The commentary team will include the voice of IMSA Radio’s John Hindhaugh.

The field will be comprised of WeatherTech Championship and Pilot Challenge drivers, who will choose from one of four recent GT Le Mans class race cars: the BMW M8 GTE, Ferrari 488 GTE, Porsche 911 RSR and Ford GT.

Several IMSA stars already have committed to participate in the IMSA Sebring SuperSaturday. The entry list will be released shortly.

In addition to the iRacing event, SuperSaturday will roll into the NBCSN network Saturday night.

The network will air a one-hour highlight show of the 2019 Twelve Hours of Sebring in primetime on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.

The Torque show, featuring Tommy Kendall and Justin Bell, will also provide coverage throughout the day.

IMSA Sebring SuperSaturday Schedule/Platform (All Times ET)
1:30-2:30 p.m. – The Torque Show iRacing Pre-Race Show – Facebook Live
2:30-4 p.m. – IMSA Sebring SuperSaturday on iRacing – iRacing eSports Network on YouTube, Twitch
4 p.m. – The Torque Show – iRacing Post-Race Show – Facebook Live
7:30 p.m. – The Torque Show – NBCSN Preview
8 p.m. – 2019 Twelve Hours of Sebring Highlight Show – NBCSN