ACo and IMSA Extend Strategic Alliance Through 2032
The Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) and the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) have confirmed the continuation of their successful global strategic alliance until 2032. This partnership, which spans over a decade, has enabled significant achievements in endurance racing, including automatic entries for three IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship teams to the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours.
For the upcoming Le Mans, the invitations will be awarded to the reigning GTP champions, Porsche Penske Motorsport, alongside top-ranked LMP2 Bronze and GTD Bronze drivers, Nick Boulle (Inter Europol Competition) and Orey Fidani (AWA Racing). Both drivers have recently been honored with the Jim Trueman Award and Bob Akin Award, respectively, acknowledging their outstanding performances.
The alliance allows IMSA to exclusively manage the LMP2 and LMP3 categories in the United States and commit to adopting the next-generation LMP2 regulations set to commence in 2028.
IMSA President John Doonan remarked, “The undeniable success of endurance sports car racing is a direct result of our partnership with the ACO. Together, we’ve created technical platforms and regulations that have drawn in an unprecedented number of manufacturers, ensuring relevance and budget practicality.” He noted that the growing audience reflects the collective appeal of their joint efforts.
ACO President Pierre Fillon echoed this sentiment, stating, “Our alliance is central to the unprecedented global success of endurance racing. We have developed a unified framework that aligns technical regulations and promotes sustainable growth." He emphasized that the extension of this partnership will underpin long-term stability, innovation, and competition in the sport, vital to inspiring fans and stakeholders alike.
