Round 4

The GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS returns to Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta for Round 4 of the 2026 season. This marks the series' first visit to the Georgia circuit since 2011, ending a 15-year absence from this challenging facility. The event features a new three-hour endurance race format, replacing the previous sprint race structure. Nine GT3 manufacturers compete across Pro and Pro-Am classes, with a provisional entry list of 22 cars representing the largest full-season grid in seven years.

Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta Circuit Details

Road Atlanta sits approximately 35 miles north of Atlanta, just above Braselton, Georgia. The 2.540-mile road course contains 12 turns and features significant elevation changes throughout the layout. The circuit opened in September 1970 and has become a cornerstone venue for sports car racing in North America.

The track design creates a fast, flowing character with several technical sections. The famous esses between turns three and five test driver precision, while Turn 12 presents a downhill, diving challenge that leads onto the pit straight. Blind crests and demanding braking zones add complexity to the driving experience. IMSA Holdings, LLC, a subsidiary of NASCAR, owns the facility.

The Michelin Tower stands as a five-story structure offering private suites, hospitality areas, a media center, race control, and a rooftop deck. The circuit features unique pit lanes on both sides of the starting straight, allowing greater capacity for competitor accommodation.

Three-Hour Race Format for 2026

GT World Challenge America adopted a significant change for the 2026 season. The series now runs a single three-hour endurance race at each round instead of two 90-minute sprint races. This format emphasizes strategy, teamwork, and driver skill across a longer distance.

Practice and Qualifying

The weekend includes three 30-minute practice sessions and one 15-minute qualifying session to set the starting grid. This structure gives teams adequate time to prepare their GT3 machinery for the demanding Road Atlanta layout.

Pit Stop Regulations

Teams face no mandatory pit stop requirements for the 2026 season. The series removed the requirement to change all four tires during every stop. Full service stops have a declared minimum time, while stops without refueling have no time minimum. Teams can perform driver changes, refueling, and tire changes simultaneously during pit stops.

Pro-Am Class Requirements

In Pro-Am competition, the Bronze-rated amateur driver must qualify the car and start the race. Amateur drivers must complete at least 1 hour and 15 minutes of driving time during the three-hour race. Individual stint length is limited to 50 minutes, extendable to 55 minutes under safety car or full course yellow conditions.

Manufacturers and Teams

The 2026 GT World Challenge America season showcases nine premier GT3 manufacturers: Aston Martin, BMW, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche. This diverse manufacturer representation demonstrates the global strength of the GT3 platform.

Porsche Entries

Porsche brings the largest presence to the grid with eight examples of the new 992.2-generation 911 GT3 R. Kellymoss fields multiple cars with drivers including Riley Dickinson, Loek Hartog, John Gilliland, Colin Braun, Todd Parriott, and Michael Clark. Wright Motorsports campaigns entries for Dave Musial Jr., Ryan Yardley, Therese Lahlouh, and Thomas Merrill. McCann Racing, RS1, and GMG Racing also compete with Porsche machinery.

Mercedes-AMG Teams

Mercedes-AMG representation includes JMF Motorsports with Michai Stephens, Mikaël Grenier, Jason Daskalos, and Lorcan Hanafin. TR3 Racing fields Brayton Williams and Will Bamber, while Lone Star Racing also campaigns a Mercedes-AMG GT3.

BMW Programs

Random Vandals Racing runs Derek DeBoer and Hampus Ericsson in BMW M4 GT3 machinery. Turner Motorsport fields Justin Rothberg and Robby Foley, while Riley Motorsports campaigns Slade Stewart and Andy Lee.

Additional Manufacturers

AF Corse USA operates two Ferrari 296 GT3 Evos for Matías Pérez Companc, Frederik Schandorff, Jay Schreibman, and Oswaldo Negri Jr. Rebel Rock Racing debuts an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 EVO with Robin Liddell and Frank Depew. Chouest Povoledo Racing continues with their Chevrolet entry, driven by Ross Chouest and Aaron Povoledo.

Technical Specifications and Balance of Performance

GT World Challenge America utilizes GT3-specification sports cars that follow global GT3 technical guidelines established by SRO Motorsports Group. These regulations create a standardized framework for professional GT racing worldwide.

The series applies a Balance of Performance system to ensure competitive parity among the different manufacturers and car models. This framework adjusts various technical parameters to level the playing field, allowing driver skill and team strategy to determine race outcomes rather than pure car performance.

Series and Circuit History

The Sports Car Club of America launched GT World Challenge America in 1990. The SRO Motorsports Group has managed the series since 2018, while the United States Auto Club has sanctioned it since 2017. The championship represents the premier level of GT3 competition in North America.

GT World Challenge America and its predecessor series raced at Road Atlanta periodically from 1990 through 2011. The 2026 event represents a meaningful return after 15 years away from this Georgia facility.

Road Atlanta was conceived in 1969 and opened in September 1970. The circuit quickly established itself as a major venue for North American road racing, hosting Can-Am, Trans-Am, and IMSA events. After deteriorating in the early 1990s, Don Panoz revitalized the facility in 1996 and introduced the Petit Le Mans endurance race. NASCAR Holdings acquired the property in 2012, and Michelin secured naming rights in 2019.

Support Series Competition

The Round 4 weekend at Road Atlanta features multiple SRO America championships alongside GT World Challenge America. Pirelli GT4 America, GT America Powered by AWS, TC America Powered by Skip Barber Racing School, Toyota GR Cup North America, and McLaren Trophy America all compete during the event. This creates a full schedule of GT and touring car racing across the weekend.

What Makes This Event Notable

The return to Road Atlanta after 15 years gives GT World Challenge America competitors a fresh challenge on a circuit many have not raced before. The fast, flowing layout with significant elevation changes differs from many modern circuits, requiring specific setup approaches and driving techniques.

The three-hour race format tests teams differently than sprint races. Strategy decisions around pit stops, driver changes, and tire management become central to success. Teams must balance outright speed with consistency and reliability over the extended distance.

This round occurs simultaneously with the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which may affect driver and team participation. However, this scheduling creates opportunities for drivers focused on North American competition to demonstrate their skills on one of the continent's most respected circuits.

Road Atlanta offers free general admission for children 12 and under, supporting a family-friendly atmosphere. The facility's natural terrain and multiple viewing areas allow spectators to experience the circuit's character from various vantage points. The combination of professional GT3 racing, multiple support series, and an established venue creates a comprehensive motorsports weekend.