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2016 IMSA Silly Season Update: Prototype Challenge

A look at the confirmed and possible PC entries in 2016…

Photo: IMSA

Photo: IMSA

Silly season is in full swing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, with a number of off-season changes expected prior to the 2016 season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona in January.

Sportscar365 looks at the confirmed and possible entries for the Prototype Challenge class, which is set to be injected with new car upgrades and extended through the 2017 season.

Confirmed Full-Season (5-7 cars): 

CORE autosport – Jon Bennett and Colin Braun are set to defend their drivers and team titles in the No. 54 Oreca FLM09, in an expected identical program for the Rock Hill, S.C.-based operation. (1 car)

Starworks Motorsport – The Florida-based team is set to return for a championship bid with up to two cars. Renger van der Zande has been re-signed for 2016, with team boss Peter Baron talking to a number of prospective customers. (1-2 cars)

Performance Tech – Following a breakout season in terms of performance, the Brent O’Neill-led squad will return with its PC entry, with the intention of retaining James French, who proved to be one the surprise standouts in the 2015 season. (1 car)

BAR1 Motorsports – The Brian Alder-led team has confirmed at least one full-season entry next year, with a second car at selected events, that could develop into a season-long deal. Driver lineups have yet to be announced. (1-2 cars)

JDC/Miller Motorsports – The John Church-led squad will return for third full-season campaign, with Mikhail Goikhberg confirmed in the team’s single entry for the entire championship and Chris Miller set for the NAEC races. A full-time second driver is expected to be finalized shortly. (1 car)

Possible Entries:

PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports – With the team in the advanced stages of finalizing a potential move to the Prototype class, the Bobby Oergel-led team may not return to defend its PC class victories at Daytona, Sebring and Petit Le Mans next year.

RSR Racing – The Paul Gentilozzi-led team has put its two cars and full spares package up for sale, with the PC stalwarts understood to be working on a move to a new program in a different class. Chris Cumming, meanwhile, is set to shift his focus to the FIA WEC next year.

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

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