IMSA Sets Minimum Drive Time for GTD Bronzes in 2023

Photo: Mike Levitt/IMSA

IMSA has reduced the minimum drive time for GTD class Bronze-rated drivers in two-hour and 40-minute WeatherTech SportsCar Championship races next year, as part of the sanctioning body’s added recognition in the new-for-2023 Bob Akin Bronze Cup championship.

Confirmed in a competition bulletin issued on Friday, the minimum drive time for Bronzes in a typical WeatherTech Championship race has been reduced from 45 to 35 minutes.

Minimum drive times in other race lengths have yet to be disclosed.

As announced on Thursday, the Bob Akin Bronze Cup will honor the top Bronze-rated drivers in GTD at each eace, along with end-of-season recognition as part of the annual WeatherTech Night of Champions celebration and entry into the 2024 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Additionally, IMSA will allow a single driver of any categorization – Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum – to qualify the car to earn the starting position and qualifying points.

If a Bronze-rated driver qualifies, they may start the race on any set of tires from the car’s allocation without penalty. Any non-Bronze Driver will be required to start the race on their qualifying tires.

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