IMSA Shifts Pilot Challenge Testing Off 2027 Roar Weekend

IMSA has strategically shifted Michelin Pilot Challenge pre-season testing off the schedule for January’s Roar Before the 24 at Daytona, citing efforts to reduce team operating costs and logistical demands, a move that competitors have largely supported.

The change, which was outlined in a competition memo distributed by the sanctioning body in the summer, ends a pre-season tradition spanning more than two decades, with Pilot Challenge competitors regularly participating during the Roar with dedicated sessions, although it was never a mandatory test.

“Following consultation with teams and stakeholders, IMSA will shift Michelin Pilot Challenge teams’ arrival to race week so teams can focus their efforts on the Rolex 24 at Daytona weekend, Jan. 27-29, 2027,” the memo stated.

“The Roar has not been a mandatory event for Michelin Pilot Challenge competitors. With this schedule change, teams will now have more time available to prepare for the new season – including preparing new cars where applicable.

“During the Rolex 24 race week, Michelin Pilot Challenge teams will have additional dedicated track time, allowing for more opportunities to practice under race-week conditions.”

The revised Roar schedule will feature the Daytona debut of Mustang Challenge North America, which will contest its first two rounds of the season alongside the mandatory test sessions for the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup is also expected to join the Roar lineup, moving its traditional Rolex 24 race-week appearance forward by one week.

Other series joining Pilot Challenge in the lead-up to the Rolex 24 include Porsche Carrera Cup North America, which will open its season at Daytona for the first time with a pair of races, and the third annual IMSA Classic exhibition, organized by HSR.

The weekend will culminate with the 65th running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona on Jan. 30-31, with Pilot Challenge’s season opener, the four-hour BMW M Endurance Challenge, scheduled for the Friday before.

“Stephen [Simpson] and I have both in support of IMSA’s decision to not include the Roar for Michelin Pilot in 2027,” said CSM owner and managing partner Matthias Czabok.

“In fairness to the series, they reached out to all the stakeholders and ask for feedback before a decision was made.

“Not doing the Roar is a meaningful savings on the budget. It also gives us a little bit more time to get ready for the first race of the year.

“Since we as a team and most of our drivers have been to Daytona several times now, I don’t think it affects us as much as a team or drivers who never ran the race or been there. I also think with Daytona being a four-hour race focusing on execution during the race and staying out of trouble are the key factors to have a good result.”

Czabok said they’ve already scheduled private testing with their Aston Martin Vantage GT4 Evos at other tracks, and will not conduct any form of pre-season testing at Daytona.

Porsche, the only manufacturer set to roll out an all-new GT4 car next year in the 911 GT4 R, is also on-board with the change.

“From a customer perspective, it doesn’t make a difference,” Porsche Motorsport North America President and CEO Volker Holzmeyer told Sportscar365.

“Delivery for the Porsche 911 GT4 R has already begun and teams are already testing. Not being at the Roar gives everyone the flexibility to test when they’re able to do so and still be ready for the season.”

John Dagys contributed to this report