IMSA - Petit Le Mans

The Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta stands as one of the premier endurance races in North American sports car racing. This 10-hour race serves as a major event in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series. The 2026 edition brings professional and amateur drivers together at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia, for what promises to be an intense test of speed and reliability.

The Circuit

Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta features a 4.088-kilometer course with 12 turns that challenge every aspect of a race car's performance. The track sits on 303 hectares of parkland north of Braselton. Drivers face significant elevation changes throughout the lap, including the famous "Esses" between turns 3 and 5. Turn 12 presents a unique challenge as a downhill, banked corner that tests both courage and precision. The circuit was built in 1970 and underwent major modifications in 1996, which included the addition of a chicane at the end of the long back straight. These fast corners and dramatic elevation shifts make Road Atlanta one of the most demanding circuits in sports car racing.

Competition Classes and Participants

The Petit Le Mans 2026 features multiple classes competing simultaneously on track. The Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class represents the fastest category, with many cars now incorporating hybrid technology for improved performance and efficiency. Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) cars provide pure racing machines built to specific technical regulations. The GT Daytona Pro (GTD Pro) and GT Daytona (GTD) classes showcase production-based sports cars from manufacturers around the globe. The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship includes 45 entries for the full season, with nine additional cars competing in the Michelin Endurance Cup. The field combines seasoned professionals with talented amateur drivers, all competing for class honors over 10 hours of racing.

Technical Regulations and Strategy

IMSA follows regulations aligned with the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), which governs the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans. Each class operates under specific technical specifications covering engine power, vehicle weight, aerodynamic configurations, and tire requirements. Teams must balance outright speed with mechanical reliability, as any car needs to survive 10 hours of hard racing. Hybrid systems in the GTP class add another layer of complexity to race strategy. Pit stop timing, fuel consumption, driver rotation, and traffic management all play critical roles in determining the final results.

History and Significance

Automotive entrepreneur Don Panoz founded the Petit Le Mans in 1998 to bring European-style endurance racing to North America. The Automobile Club de l'Ouest supported the event from its inception, lending credibility and international appeal. A Doyle-Risi Ferrari 333 SP claimed victory in that first race. The event became a cornerstone of the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) before joining the IMSA SportsCar Championship in 2014. Italian driver Rinaldo Capello holds the record with five victories at the Petit Le Mans. Seven drivers have won both the Petit Le Mans and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the same year, including Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish. This connection to the French classic adds prestige to the Road Atlanta race.

Event Experience

The Petit Le Mans attracts approximately 320,000 visitors from 33 states and 18 countries each year. The multi-day event includes support races, fan zones, a kids zone, vendor displays, and camping facilities. Spectators can access various viewing areas around the circuit to watch the action from different perspectives. The race often plays a decisive role in determining championship outcomes for both drivers and manufacturers in the IMSA series. Michelin acquired naming rights to the facility in 2018, renaming it Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. The combination of world-class racing, accessible fan amenities, and the natural setting creates an experience that appeals to dedicated race fans and families alike.

What Makes It Special

The Petit Le Mans combines several elements that distinguish it within sports car racing. The 10-hour duration demands consistency and reliability rather than just raw speed. Multiple classes racing together creates constant action and strategic complexity as faster cars navigate through slower traffic. The Road Atlanta circuit rewards precise driving and punishes mistakes with its elevation changes and high-speed corners. The race serves as a proving ground where teams demonstrate their engineering capabilities and drivers showcase their endurance skills. This event continues a tradition of endurance racing excellence that connects American motorsports to the global sports car racing community.