IMSA Revamps VP Racing SportsCar Challenge for 2026 with Endurance Focus
The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) is set to overhaul the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge for the 2026 season, introducing two-hour endurance races and permitting the newly-developed LMP3 cars, set to debut in the U.S. in 2025.
The third-generation LMP3 prototypes from manufacturers such as Ligier, Duqueine, Ginetta, and ADESS will join the competition, expanding IMSA’s exclusive rights to LMP3 racing in North America. This partnership with the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) was recently extended through 2032. The new cars will feature a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged Toyota V6 engine.
Teams will have the option to either continue using existing second-generation LMP3 cars for one more season or transition to the new vehicles. All participating cars will adhere to their homologated performance metrics without any adjustments.
In a significant change, the format will now allow for four endurance races during the 2026 season at notable venues: Sebring (March 6-8), Circuit of The Americas (May 7-9), Virginia International Raceway (June 19-21), and Road America (August 7-9). These events respond to feedback from current competitors and suppliers, enabling teams to maximize their endurance capabilities.
The endurance races will introduce a multi-driver requirement, mandating a minimum of one driver rated Bronze or Silver. A Gold-rated second driver is allowed, whereas Platinum drivers will be excluded. In parallel, sprint races will continue to require one Bronze- or Silver-rated driver per LMP3 entry.
Points accrued during both the endurance and sprint races will contribute toward the overall VP Racing SportsCar Challenge championship, akin to the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup structure.
Further insights into the 2026 endurance events and the complete race schedule will be disclosed in forthcoming announcements.
Image courtesy of IMSA
