IMSA and ACO Extend Strategic Alliance Through 2032
Austin, TX – The Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) and the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) have renewed their strategic partnership, ensuring a collaborative framework for endurance sports car racing through 2032. This extended alliance builds on a decade of successful initiatives, including automatic invitations for IMSA teams to the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours.
As part of the agreement, this year’s Le Mans invitations were awarded to the GTP Champions Porsche Penske Motorsport, Nick Boulle of Inter Europol Competition, and Orey Fidani of AWA Racing, who distinguished themselves as the top-ranked drivers in their respective categories.
IMSA President John Doonan underscored the importance of the partnership, stating, “The undeniable success of endurance racing globally is a direct result of the ongoing IMSA-ACO collaboration, which has attracted numerous manufacturers while ensuring the relevance and budget practicality of technical platforms.”
Additionally, IMSA will continue as the exclusive operator of the LMP2 and LMP3 categories in the United States, adopting next-generation LMP2 regulations set to take effect in 2028. Doonan reaffirmed IMSA’s commitment to LMP2, indicating plans to align with the new regulations in time for the Daytona event that year.
ACO President Pierre Fillon emphasized the alliance’s significance, noting, “The partnership is at the heart of endurance racing’s unprecedented global success, providing long-term stability and fostering innovation and competition.”
Looking toward the future, discussions regarding potential adjustments to IMSA’s GTP class rules in alignment with the FIA World Endurance Championship’s new Hypercar regulations are underway. Doonan mentioned that a clear roadmap will be established within months, aiming for resolution before the Rolex 24 in January 2026, promising continued convergence among manufacturers.
The extended alliance sets the stage for sustained growth and technical development in endurance racing, ensuring its ongoing appeal to fans and stakeholders alike.
