2021 IMSA Challenge Series Schedules Released

Photo: Mike Levitt/IMSA

IMSA has confirmed the 2021 schedules for both Michelin Pilot Challenge and Prototype Challenge, featuring few changes to the originally planned 2020 seasons that have been interrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ten-Race Schedule for IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge

Pilot Challenge returns in 2021 with a 10-race calendar, once again run as a companion to the WeatherTech Championship at all events. All races will include both the GS class – utilizing race cars built to international GT4 technical specifications – and TCR class.

The season begins with a four-hour race at Daytona International Speedway on Jan. 30 and concludes Oct. 8 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

The series returns to Watkins Glen International on June 26 for another four-hour race, and also revisits Canadian Tire Motorsport Park on July 3 and Lime Rock Park on July 17 after missing these venues in 2020.

All remaining races will continue to be two hours in length.

2021 Michelin Pilot Challenge Schedule:
Jan. 22-24 — Roar Before Rolex 24 (Test)
Jan. 28-31 — Daytona International Speedway (4 Hours)
March 17-20 — Sebring International Raceway
April 23-25 — WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
May 14-16 — Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
June 24-27 — Watkins Glen International (4 Hours)
July 2-4 — Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
July 16-18 — Lime Rock Park
Aug. 6-8 — Road America
Aug. 20-22 — Virginia International Raceway
Oct. 6-9 — Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

IPC to Remain at Six Rounds for 2021

Despite initial consideration for a reduced calendar, IPC will retain its six-round championship but with all races being 1 hour and 45 minutes in length.

Both new and previous-generation LMP3 machinery will be eligible, in what will mark the return of a two-class structure to the series.

The season will again kick off at the Roar Before the Rolex 24 weekend, with Round 2 at Sebring occurring the weekend before the ‘Super Sebring’ event sharing the track with FIA World Endurance Championship pre-event testing.

Races at Mid-Ohio, Canadian Tire Motorsport Par, Virginia International Raceway and Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta are also planned.

The LMP3 driver champion in IPC will receive a $100,000 IMSA credit applicable toward entry fees for any 2022 WeatherTech Championship event.

The award will be divided equally among both drivers if there are co-champions.

2021 IMSA Prototype Challenge Schedule:
Jan. 22-24 — Daytona International Speedway
March 13-14 — Sebring International Raceway
May 14-16 — Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
July 2-4 — Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
Aug. 20-22 — Virginia International Raceway
Oct. 6-9 — Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John