GT World Challenge America - Round 5

Round 5 of the GT World Challenge America arrives at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. The 2026 season introduces a significant format change, with the series moving to single three-hour endurance races at each round. This shift from the previous two 90-minute race format brings a new strategic element to the competition. Road America's 4.048-mile layout provides one of the premier stages for GT3 racing in North America.

Race Format and Classes

The GT World Challenge America race at Road America will feature a three-hour endurance format. This change applies to all rounds in the championship except the Indianapolis 8 Hour. The series showcases GT3-specification race cars that compete under FIA GT3 technical regulations. Teams must complete mandatory pit stops with full service and driver changes during the race.

Additional classes racing alongside the main GT3 category include GT4 America, TC America, Toyota GR Cup North America, and McLaren Trophy America. The United States Auto Club sanctions the event, while SRO Motorsports Group manages series operations.

Circuit Characteristics

Road America stretches 4.048 miles through 14 turns on 640 acres near Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. The facility sits halfway between Milwaukee and Green Bay. The track maintains its original configuration from 1955, making it one of the few road circuits unchanged since its creation.

Track Features

The circuit includes numerous elevation changes that challenge drivers and teams. The front stretch allows speeds approaching 200 mph before drivers brake for Turn 1. "The kink" on the back section stands as one of the most recognized corners at the facility. The FIA rates Road America as a Grade 2 circuit.

Spectator Facilities

The venue accommodates over 150,000 spectators with open seating throughout the grounds. Fans can access grandstands and hillside viewing areas around the circuit. The facility includes the Briggs & Stratton Motorplex for karting and Supermoto racing. Children 16 and under receive free general admission to season racing events when accompanied by a paying adult.

Participants and Manufacturers

GT3 race cars from multiple manufacturers compete in the series. Expected brands include Acura, Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, and Mercedes-AMG. Professional and amateur drivers from around the world participate in the championship.

GT3 cars produce between 500 and 600 horsepower depending on configuration. The regulations permit forced induction on vehicles that feature it in their production versions. Car weight varies based on power output and tire specifications. Pirelli P Zero serves as the official tire supplier for the series.

Technical Specifications

The GT World Challenge America follows FIA GT3 technical regulations strictly. Allowed body styles include coupes, sedans, and convertibles. Teams must balance performance across different manufacturers through the series' Balance of Performance system.

Engineers adjust engine power, vehicle weight, and aerodynamic elements to ensure competitive parity. This system allows different car designs to race together on equal terms. The regulations create close competition throughout the field.

Series Background

The championship began in 1990 under the Sports Car Club of America. The series initially adopted rules similar to European Group A regulations for production-based race cars. Various ownership and sanctioning changes occurred over three decades of competition.

SRO Motorsports Group assumed series management in 2018. The championship adopted the GT World Challenge America name in 2026. Previous names included World Challenge, Speed World Challenge, and Pirelli World Challenge.

Road America History

Clif Tufte organized the construction of Road America after racing on public roads around Elkhart Lake was banned. The first SCCA National race took place at the facility on September 10-11, 1955. The track has hosted professional racing for nearly seven decades.

Road America attracts over 800,000 visitors annually and generates over $100 million in economic impact each year. Notable visitors to the facility have included David Letterman, Tom Cruise, and the late Paul Newman.

What Makes This Race Stand Out

The combination of Road America's high-speed layout and the new three-hour format creates a unique challenge. Teams must balance outright speed with tire management and fuel strategy. The track's length means fewer laps than shorter circuits, making each lap more valuable.

Driver changes and pit stop execution become critical factors in the longer race format. The Wisconsin facility's elevation changes and fast corners test both car setup and driver skill. GT3 racing at Road America showcases the capabilities of these sophisticated race cars.

The variety of manufacturers competing ensures different strengths across the lap. Some cars excel on the long straights while others perform better through the technical sections. This variety produces close racing throughout the three-hour duration.