IMSA - Virginia

The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship returns to Virginia International Raceway for the 2026 season. This premier sports car racing series brings two signature races to the Virginia facility: the Michelin GT Challenge and the Virginia Is For Racing Lovers Grand Prix. Located in Alton, Virginia near Danville, this venue sits less than half a mile from the North Carolina border. The circuit hosts GT-exclusive sprint racing that showcases the GTD PRO and GTD classes in competitive action.

About the Race Weekend

The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship represents the top level of sports car racing in North America. The Virginia International Raceway weekend features GT-exclusive sprint races with entries from both GTD PRO and GTD categories. Additional racing series typically share the weekend schedule, including the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, and Mustang Challenge. These support races add variety to the competition throughout the event.

The Circuit

Virginia International Raceway offers multiple track configurations. The Full Course measures 3.27 miles with 17 turns. This layout features 130 feet of elevation change that challenges drivers and teams. The facility includes a 3,000-foot front straight and a 4,000-foot back straight. A notable section called the "Roller Coaster" at Turn 14 resembles a scaled version of Laguna Seca's famous "Corkscrew" corner.

Track Configurations

The facility can run multiple configurations, with some capable of operating simultaneously. The North Course spans 2.25 miles with 17 turns. The South Course covers 1.65 miles with 12 turns. The Patriot Course measures 1.10 miles with 12 turns and fits entirely within the Full Course boundaries. The Grand East Course extends 4.20 miles with 25 turns, while the Grand West Course runs 4.10 miles with 28 turns.

Facility Features

Virginia International Raceway provides three separate paddocks with timing towers. The venue includes covered tech bays, classrooms, and self-serve race fuel stations. A pro shop, restrooms with showers, lodging options, and a full-service restaurant serve competitors and visitors. The North Paddock contains a timing tower, covered tech bay, classroom, and race fuel access. The South Paddock offers a timing tower, classroom, and covered tech bay.

Racing Classes and Competition

The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship typically includes four main classes: Grand Touring Prototype (GTP), Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2), GT Daytona Pro (GTD Pro), and GT Daytona (GTD). The Michelin GT Challenge at Virginia International Raceway focuses exclusively on GT competition, featuring GTD PRO and GTD class entries. Both classes use cars built to international GT3 specifications.

Support Series

The IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge features Grand Sport (GS) and Touring Car (TCR) classes. The VP Racing SportsCar Challenge includes GSX and GTDX categories. These series provide additional racing action throughout the weekend at Virginia International Raceway.

Technical Details

Michelin serves as the official tire supplier for IMSA competition. The company develops tires with sustainable materials, improved durability, and better warm-up characteristics. GT3 cars in both GTD and GTD Pro classes receive regular updates from manufacturers. These improvements include aerodynamic refinements, suspension upgrades, and enhanced brake cooling systems.

IMSA uses Balance of Performance (BoP) regulations to equalize the performance between different GT3 car models. This system helps create competitive racing across various manufacturers and vehicle platforms.

Track History

Virginia International Raceway opened in August 1957 as one of America's first permanent road racing circuits. The original course measured 3.27 miles and earned recognition for its demanding layout. The facility hosted the first IMSA GT race in 1971. The track closed in 1974 and remained inactive for many years before reopening in March 2000. After the revival, the facility transformed into America's first "Motorsport Resort," combining racing with lodging and amenities.

What Makes This Event Special

Virginia International Raceway operates on a "country club" model that offers memberships with exclusive track time. The facility can run multiple configurations simultaneously - the Full and Patriot Courses together, or the North and South Courses at the same time. Carroll Shelby once stated that "one lap at VIR is like a hundred at Watkins Glen," highlighting the circuit's demanding nature. The British television show Top Gear filmed segments at the track in 2010.

The circuit earned a reputation as a challenging venue that leaves "no margin for error" for drivers. The combination of elevation changes, high-speed sections, and technical corners tests both driver skill and vehicle setup. The GT-exclusive format at Virginia International Raceway allows fans to focus on close competition between similar car classes, where driver talent and team strategy play crucial roles in determining race results.