2017 IMSA Silly Season Update 2: Prototype Challenge

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

In the second Silly Season update, Sportscar365 explores the confirmed and possible entries for the Prototype Challenge class, which is set for its final season in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2017.

Confirmed Full-Season (1 car):

BAR1 Motorsports – The Brian Alder-led team will return with at least one Oreca FLM09 for the year, while working on a second full-season entry. Two cars are already confirmed for the season-opener at Daytona. Drivers have yet to be announced but will feature a mix of current and new drivers, with the first full-season lineup already confirmed. A third entry hasn’t been completely ruled out. (1-2 cars)

Possible/Limited Season Entries (2-3 cars):

Performance Tech – Series stalwarts Performance Tech is targeting a return with a single entry but yet to finalize a deal. A final decision will be made by later this week. (1 car possible)

Starworks Motorsport – The reigning PC class champions have yet to confirm a full-season entry, although the chances of the Peter Baron-led team contesting at least the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup races with up to two Oreca FLM09s remains strong. It’s believed Sean Rayhall and John Falb have already been signed for Daytona. (1-2 cars, partial season?)

Not Returning:

The majority of 2016 teams will not return with five-time class champions CORE autosport moving to GT Daytona and PR1/Mathiasen Motorports and JDC-Miller Motorports stepping up to the Prototype class with Ligier JS P217 Gibson and Oreca 07 Gibson programs, respectively.

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