Conway Has ‘No Concrete Plans’ for Endurance Cup in 2023

Photo: Mike Levitt/IMSA

Mike Conway says he currently has no firm plans to contest the Michelin Endurance Cup races in the GTP class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship next year although has expressed an interest to remain in the series, potentially in LMP2 or the GT ranks for the long-distance events.

The Englishman, who has been part of Action Express Racing’s DPi class effort in recent years, is facing a similar situation to fellow Toyota Gazoo Racing FIA World Endurance Championship driver Kamui Kobayashi in that he’s unlikely to remain part of AXR’s lineup when the team gains full factory status next year under the Cadillac Racing banner.

Conway has been with Action Express on a part-time basis since 2017, competing in races such as the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring and Motul Petit Le Mans, where he is scheduled to rejoin the No. 31 Cadillac DPi-V.R alongside Pipo Derani and Olivier Pla in October.

“I really love racing in the States,” Conway told Sportscar365. “The endurance stuff is really good fun over there. It’s going to be harder for next year.

“I don’t have any concrete plans [for 2023] at the moment, but it’s going to be hard for a manufacturer to allow you to jump in for four races, or just one if it’s Daytona.

“It’s tricky because it’s a new car to everyone, and they don’t want to give away all their secrets and we go off and give them to Toyota.

“So far, no discussions yet on next year. We’ll see if I can get any rides there.

“If not, there is always the option of LMP2 or GT. Hopefully, if I can’t get anything done in GTP, I can still do something in another class.”

The Toyota factory driver said he could look to contesting the GT ranks of the WeatherTech Championship instead.

Along with Kobayashi, who subbed for Jack Hawksworth in Vasser Sullivan’s Lexus RC F GT3 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park this year, it could put Conway in line for potential outings with the sister brand in GTD Pro or GTD.

Vasser Sullivan and Lexus have yet to confirm its full-season or Endurance Cup lineups for next year.

“I have no experience in GT, so maybe I’d want to stay in prototypes. To be honest, I’m open,” Conway said. “The GTs look a lot of fun. I’d be down for trying something new.

“It’s early days, really. But I’m definitely looking to do something next year in the U.S.

“Sports cars in general is on the upside, and I think it’s a good time to be there.”

Daniel Lloyd contributed to this report

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