Michelin, VP Racing Fuels Ink IMSA Contract Extensions

Officials from IMSA and Michelin have inked a contract extension that will see the French tire manufacturer remain the “Official Tire of IMSA” through at least the 2028 seasons.

The partnership, which began in 2019 for an initial seven-year deal, includes Michelin’s continued entitlement of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and the now five-race IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup.

Michelin also will continue to supply tires for every car in the WeatherTech Championship, Michelin Pilot Challenge and the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge.

“Michelin’s support of IMSA is clearly evident on every race weekend,” said IMSA President John Doonan. “The IMSA and Michelin teams work closely together from both a marketing standpoint as well as on-track competition.

“Collectively, we have made substantial gains in those areas throughout the life of our partnership so far, and together we expect continued growth as we go forward.”

“We are excited to continue our partnership with IMSA as a leader in innovative and sustainable sports car racing,” said Alexis Garcin, president and CEO of Michelin North America, Inc.

“Our collaboration together helped introduce the new Michelin GTP tire that provides extended performance for multiple stints, and this same approach will help launch the new GTD Pilot Sport Pro tire next season.

“As we extend our partnership, Michelin and IMSA will continue to find ways to transform sports car racing for a more sustainable future.”

VP Racing Fuels Extended Through 2030 As Official Fuel, VP Racing SportsCar Challenge Entitlement

Becoming the Official Fuel Supplier of IMSA in 2014, VP Racing Fuels is already one of IMSA’s longest-running corporate partners.

That partnership grows even longer with today’s announcement that VP Racing Fuels is locked in through 2030 as IMSA’s Official Fuel Supplier and entitlement partner of the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge.

VP Racing Fuels is on the forefront of IMSA’s sustainability efforts as supplier of the 80 percent renewable fuel currently being used in the WeatherTech Championship GTP class, which will become 100 percent renewable in the coming years.

Meanwhile, the multi-class VP Racing Challenge has shown impressive growth throughout its first season in 2023 and is on track for continued success.

“IMSA has been fortunate to have such a reliable partner in VP Racing Fuels for so many years and we are thrilled to see it continue well into the future,” Doonan said.

“VP Racing Fuels has consistently grown in visibility as a brand throughout our partnership, reaching well beyond our racetracks and into the consumer marketplace. We are mutually committed to continue growing both of our brands in the future.”

“VP Racing is excited to continue its nearly decade-long partnership with IMSA, bringing world-class racing to racers and fans across the world,” said Bruce Hendel, Senior Vice President of Global Sales for VP Racing.

“We are proud of our relationship as Official Fuel, Official Performance Coolant, Official Fuel Additives, and renewable fuel partner, and we look forward to many years of continued success together.”