IMSA Adds ‘BoP Conduct’ Clause into Rules; Warns of Penalties

Photo: Brandon Badraoui/IMSA

IMSA has added a clause into the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship rules that prohibits competitors from making public comments regarding the Balance of Performance process.

Issued in an updated version of the sporting regulations on Wednesday, the sanctioning body’s move to limit public BoP discussions comes in the wake of similar rules enforced in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Art. 2.2.3.a of the 2026 WeatherTech Championship sporting regulations state: “Manufacturers, Competitors, Drivers, Constructors, and any persons or entities associated with their entries must not attempt to influence the establishment of the Balance of Performance (BoP) or make any public comments regarding the BoP process, methodology, data, or outcomes, including but not limited to statements made through traditional media, digital media, or social media platforms.”

It continues: “The determination of whether any conduct or communication constitutes a violation of the above, regardless of intent, shall be made exclusively at IMSA’s sole discretion.

“Any infringement may be penalized by IMSA Officials at any time before, during, or after an IMSA Competition.”

The similar rule written into the WEC regulations has effectively eliminated driver, teams and manufacturers from making public statements or sharing their feelings on the BoP process.

Former Toyota team director Rob Leupen is understood to have been the first, and only to date, member of the WEC paddock deemed to have broken the rule, from an offending article originally published on the Dutch and Italian editions of Motorsport.cоm in 2024.

In the article, Leupen stated the BoP process was “not transparent” and called for more “honesty” from the rules makers going forward.

Toyota was handed a suspended fine of €10,000, while Leupen departed the Japanese manufacturer three months later.

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