IMSA Porsche GT3 USA 2016 Calendar Released

IMSA’s Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama will feature a 16-race, eight-weekend schedule in 2016, and will join the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship on seven of eight weekends.

A TBA date and venue is set for June, which would help alleviate some of the gap between mid-April and late June that occurred this year.

Additionally, the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca round has been moved back from late September as it was this year to coincide with Porsche Rennsport Reunion V, to the WeatherTech Championship weekend on April 29-May 1.

Road Atlanta rejoins the schedule after a one-year hiatus as well, to conclude the season. It replaces NOLA Motorsports Park on the schedule.

NOLA’s weekend last year saw the first race run in semi-wet conditions, then the second race get delayed twice – once at NOLA and once on its initially scheduled makeup date at Watkins Glen. Only at VIR did what was termed Round 4 finally get completed.

Other races at Sebring, Watkins Glen, Road America, VIR, and Circuit of The Americas in the same places as they did last year.

“The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama continued to display strong competitiveness and popularity this season, growth we are working to continue in 2016,” said Randy Hembrey, IMSA senior series manager, Development & Single-Make Series.

“IMSA is committed to this vital level of racing for semi-professional and aspiring pro drivers and is thrilled to continue a successful partnerships with Porsche Motorsport North America and Yokohama.”

Added Jens Walther, president and CEO of Porsche Motorsport North America, “The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama has become a tremendous development platform for drivers of all skill levels and teams and an important extension of the competitive spirit of Porsche.

“Our long-term relationship with IMSA and partners such as Yokohama has elevated the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama into one of the marquee championships among the Porsche one-make Cup lineup of 20 Cups worldwide.”

Details about television and online video coverage of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama events will be announced soon.

2016 IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama Schedule

March 16-18  Sebring International Raceway, Sebring, Florida*
April 29-May 1  Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, California*
TBA June TBA
June 30-July 2  Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, New York*
Aug. 5-7  Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin*
Aug. 26-28  Virginia International Raceway, Danville, Virginia*
Sept. 14-16  Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas*
Sept. 28-30  Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia*

TBA – To Be Announced
* — In conjunction with IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship events