Three-Hour Races Added to IPC; LMP3-Only for 2019

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

IMSA Prototype Challenge will feature a pair of extended endurance races, in a newly structured single-class format for the all-prototype series next year.

Announced during Friday evening’s ‘State of the Series’ address at Road America, IPC will evolve into an all-LMP3 championship with the elimination the Mazda-powered MPC cars.

It has also resulted in Mazda no longer being a presenting sponsor of the series, in the end of a multi-year deal. 

The six-race season will feature three-hour races at Daytona International Speedway in January, run during the Roar Before the Rolex 24 weekend, and at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

All other events will remain 1 and 45 minutes in length.

Each team will be permitted up to three drivers for the three-hour races only, with the minimum number of drivers for 1 hour and 45-minute rounds still to-be-determined.

Solo drivers have been permitted in the series this year.

“We received positive feedback from our IMSA Prototype Challenge competitors on the debut of the endurance format this season,” said IMSA President Scott Atherton.

“There is no shortage of momentum behind the IMSA Prototype Challenge.

“We believe three-hour races at Daytona and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park will be another attractive opportunity, not only for our current competitors and stakeholders, but also those interested in the rapidly growing LMP3 platform.”

All six races on the calendar will be run in conjunction with the WeatherTech Championship, including Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course which moves onto the series schedule.

2019 IMSA Prototype Challenge Schedule:
Jan. 4-6 — Daytona International Speedway (3 hours)
March 13-16 — Sebring International Raceway
May 3-5 — Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
July 5-7 — Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (3 hours)
Aug. 23-25 — Virginia International Raceway 
Oct. 11-13 — Road Atlanta

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