IMSA - Road America

The Motul SportsCar Endurance Grand Prix brings IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competition to Road America for a premier six-hour endurance race. This race at Road America features the top prototype and GT racing categories in North American sports car competition. The event takes place at one of America's most challenging and celebrated road courses, where drivers face 4.048 miles of fast straights, sweeping turns, and dramatic elevation changes near Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.

Race Format and Series

The 2026 edition introduces a new six-hour endurance format for the WeatherTech Championship race at Road America. This extended distance elevates the event among North America's premier endurance competitions. The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship serves as the headline series, showcasing prototype and production-based GT cars across four competitive classes.

The weekend also features support racing from the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, which includes Grand Sport and Touring Car categories. Additional series competing include Porsche Carrera Cup and Lamborghini Super Trofeo, creating a full schedule of sports car racing action.

The Road America Circuit

Road America stands as one of the few permanent road courses that retains its original configuration from 1955. The track stretches 4.048 miles with 14 turns and holds FIA Grade Two classification. Located on 640 acres near the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive, the facility operates as a year-round racing venue hosting over 400 events annually.

Track Characteristics

The circuit features significant elevation changes, with a 160-foot drop from the start/finish line to the section between Turn 11 and Turn 12. Speeds approach 200 mph on the long straights, testing both car performance and driver skill. The layout combines high-speed sections with technical corners, creating varied challenges throughout each lap.

Key Corners

Turn 1 presents a fast right-hand corner at the end of the main straight. The Carousel at Turns 9-10 requires smooth throttle application through a long, sweeping right-hander. The Kink at Turn 11 stands out as a high-speed corner taken flat-out by professional drivers, demanding precise car placement. Canada Corner at Turn 12 offers a primary overtaking zone after drivers brake hard following the downhill run from the Kink.

IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Classes

Grand Touring Prototype (GTP)

The GTP class represents the top category in IMSA competition. These closed-cockpit prototypes feature hybrid powertrains that combine manufacturer-developed internal combustion engines with standardized energy recovery systems. The total power output ranges from 644 to 697 horsepower. Manufacturers including Acura, Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Lamborghini, and Porsche develop unique engines and bodywork while utilizing a common hybrid system that recovers kinetic energy during braking.

Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2)

LMP2 cars use a standardized 4.2-liter Gibson V-8 engine producing approximately 500 horsepower. Four approved constructors build these closed-cockpit prototypes. Teams can identify LMP2 cars by their blue number plate backgrounds and blue mirrors. These cars compete in global series including the FIA World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

GT Daytona Pro (GTD PRO)

GTD PRO features race cars built to FIA GT3 technical regulations. Factory-backed teams field professional driver lineups in this class. Manufacturers compete with models such as the Porsche 911 GT3 R, BMW M4 GT3, and Ferrari 296 GT3. Participating brands include Aston Martin, BMW, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini, Lexus, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche.

GT Daytona (GTD)

The GTD class operates as a Pro-Am category using FIA GT3 specifications. Teams combine professional and amateur drivers in their lineups. These cars derive from road-going production models and feature driver aids including ABS and traction control. GTD cars display illuminated green number boxes and use yellow headlight covers for night racing. Manufacturers include Acura, Aston Martin, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lexus, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche.

IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Classes

Grand Sport (GS)

The Grand Sport class features GT4-homologated cars from manufacturers including Aston Martin, BMW, Ford, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, Porsche, and Toyota. These cars produce between 400 and 450 horsepower and can exceed 160 mph on fast sections of the track.

Touring Car (TCR)

TCR class cars follow WSC TCR homologation standards. Teams compete with front-wheel-drive, four-door or five-door sedans from Audi, Cupra, Honda, and Hyundai. These cars generate between 300 and 350 horsepower and reach speeds over 140 mph.

Road America History

Sports car races took place on public roads around Elkhart Lake in the early 1950s. Safety concerns led to a ban on public road racing, prompting highway engineer Clif Tufte to create a permanent racecourse. Road America opened on September 10, 1955. The first professional race weekend occurred in August 1956 with a NASCAR Grand National event.

IMSA competition at Road America began with the IMSA GT Championship in 1979. The event joined the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship schedule in 2014. Porsche leads all manufacturers with eleven victories at the track. Drivers Augie Pabst, Chuck Parsons, Geoff Brabham, and Lucas Luhr each hold three victories, tied for the most wins by any driver.

Venue and Spectator Experience

Road America provides open seating that allows spectators to explore the facility grounds during race weekends. Grandstands and permanent hillside seating accommodate over 150,000 people. The venue hosts nine major public race weekends each year alongside hundreds of other events. Economic studies show that Road America and its events generate over $100 million annually for the region.

The facility has attracted notable visitors including David Letterman, Tom Cruise, Patrick Dempsey, Tim Allen, Ashley Judd, and the late Paul Newman. The track's combination of accessible viewing areas, natural terrain, and high-speed racing creates a distinctive spectator experience at this Wisconsin venue.

What Makes This Event Notable

The six-hour endurance format tests both car reliability and driver stamina at Road America. The track's length and high speeds create unique strategic considerations for fuel consumption, tire wear, and traffic management. Teams must balance outright pace with consistency over the extended race distance.

The circuit's original layout from 1955 provides a direct link to sports car racing history while challenging modern prototype and GT cars. Road America combines elements rarely found together: long straights for maximum speed, fast sweeping corners, heavy braking zones, and elevation changes. This variety creates multiple opportunities for position changes and strategic decisions throughout the six-hour race.

The multi-series format offers fans a comprehensive sports car racing weekend. From TCR touring cars to hybrid GTP prototypes, the event showcases the full spectrum of current IMSA competition. Each class presents different racing characteristics and competitive battles across the same challenging circuit.