New-Gen LMP3s to Be Eligible in 2026; Endurance Races Added

Photo: MPS Agency

Third-generation LMP3 cars will become eligible in IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge beginning next year, while an endurance component will be added for the cars on selected USAC-run weekends.

Announced on Friday, the latest-generation Toyota-powered prototypes, which debuted in the European Le Mans Series and Michelin Le Mans Cup this year, will be eligible in VP Racing Challenge in 2026.

The ACO introduced the third-generation LMP3 cars with four chassis constructors: Ligier, Duqueine Engineering, Ginetta and Adess. The new car runs a 3.5-liter twin-turbo Toyota V6 engine that is built and prepared by ORECA.

IMSA continues to hold exclusive rights in North America for the use of LMP3 race cars as part of its strategic alliance with the ACO, which it recently extended through at least the end of 2032.

The new-gen LMP3 cars will compete in the same class with the existing second-gen cars currently in use in the 45-minute VP Racing Challenge races, giving teams the option to continue with existing machinery for one more year or invest in the new generation car.

All cars will run to their homologated performance levels with no adjustments or Balance of Performance.

Two-Hour Endurance Races Set for USAC Weekends

LMP3 machinery will additionally be eligible in four two-hour endurance races sanctioned by IMSA on USAC weekends next year.

IMSA is also exploring that these endurance races could include a production-based race car category.

The four-race schedule will feature events at Sebring International Raceway (March 6-8), Circuit of The Americas (May 7-9), Virginia International Raceway (June 19-21) and Road America (Aug. 7-9).

VP Racing Challenge races will continue to feature one FIA Bronze or Silver-rated driver per LMP3 car, but the new-for-2026 endurances races will require two drivers, with a minimum of one rated either Bronze or Silver.

A Gold-rated second driver is permitted but Platinum drivers are prohibited.

The four endurance races will be a championship within the overall VP Challenge for LMP3 competitors, similar in nature to the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup within the overall WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Points in both the sprint and endurance races will count towards the overall VP SportsCar Challenge championship.

According to IMSA, opening the LMP3 opportunities to both sprint and endurance race formats comes based on stakeholder feedback and continues the sanctioning body’s intent to create future generations of prototype drivers, crews and teams while also continuing to provide a platform for longstanding LMP3 entrants and Bronze-rated drivers to compete.

Further details covering the endurance portion of LMP3 events in 2026, as well as the complete schedule, will be revealed at a later date.

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