Michelin IMSA Insider: Porsche Performance Full Circle in SoCal

As the Grand Prix of Long Beach 2025 came to a close, NBC’s Brian Till summed it up simply: “And Porsche, again.”

It marked a sweep on the streets of Long Beach for Porsche, with the No. 7 Porsche Penske Motorsport entry taking top honors in GTP and AO Racing’s ‘Rexy’ claiming the GTD class win.

Just a few miles away, at Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles, that same performance carries into an environment where guests can experience the brand’s track-to-street philosophy for themselves, right down to the same family of Michelin tires.

“Like Michelin, Porsche has a long tradition of transferring race-bred technology to the road,” said Johnny Kanavas, chief instructor at PECLA.

That philosophy is central to the experience at PECLA, where guests of all skill levels, from first-timers to experienced enthusiasts, can get behind the wheel of nearly every current Porsche model.

Working one-on-one with Porsche Drive Coaches, each guest receives an experience suited to their comfort level and goals.

The center’s modules are designed to expose drivers to a variety of situations and surfaces, from a handling circuit that mirrors the rhythm of an engaging road course to low-friction areas that emphasize car control and confidence behind the wheel.

Michelin Pilot Sport tires, the official tire of the center, are a key part of that equation, helping guests feel the balance, grip and responsiveness engineered into each car.

The connection between Porsche and Michelin runs deep.

More than 50 years into their partnership, the two brands continue to work closely on tire development tailored to specific Porsche vehicles.

Porsche was also the first automaker to establish its own tire approval standard, known as N-marking, with each Michelin tire carrying that designation having been tested, approved and homologated by Porsche.

That makes the link between what happens on the racetrack and what guests experience at PECLA feel especially tangible during a race weekend like Long Beach.

A guest can drive a Porsche 911 GT3 at the center, then head to the circuit and watch a 911 GT3 R compete in IMSA, each drawing from the same broader performance philosophy.

“Knowing the Michelin family of tires are used on the street cars at PECLA and the race cars that run in IMSA creates a sense of pride for all our Porsche Drive Coaches,” Kanavas said.

“It’s synonymous with motorsport and performance, and we love to showcase that connection to our guests.”