IMSA Expands VP Racing SportsCar Challenge with New LMP3 Endurance Races for 2026
The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) has announced a significant expansion of the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge for the 2026 season, increasing the race weekends from six to ten. This expansion will introduce four new LMP3 endurance races, utilizing the latest 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6-powered LMP3 vehicles.
The inaugural LMP3 endurance race is scheduled at Sebring International Raceway from March 6-8, ahead of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. Subsequent races will take place at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) from May 7-9, VIRginia International Raceway (VIR) from June 19-21, and conclude at Road America on August 14-16.
The LMP3 class will compete on nine of the ten VP Racing SportsCar Challenge weekends, participating in five sprint events that contribute to the overall LMP3 championship standings. In addition, a separate LMP3 endurance championship will be established, mirroring the Michelin Endurance Cup format seen in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Further specifics regarding the endurance races will be disclosed by IMSA in due course.
The new season will kick off during the Roar Before The 24 weekend at Daytona International Speedway from January 16-19, featuring six sprint weekends that include the GTDX (late-model GT3) and GSX (GT4) classes. COTA will host the second sprint weekend on February 27-28, followed by events at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (June 5-7) and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (July 10-12).
VIR will also host a separate GT-only sprint weekend on August 21-23, while the season finale will take place at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta from October 1-3, coinciding with the 29th annual Motul Petit Le Mans.
