IMSA - Virginia

Virginia International Raceway hosts two major IMSA events in 2026. The flagship event features the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with the Michelin GT Challenge and Virginia Is for Racing Lovers Grand Prix. This GT-only round brings together the top prototype and grand touring classes to the historic circuit in Alton, Virginia. Racing fans can also follow the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, which showcases LMP3 prototypes and GT4-based cars as part of the IMSA Airbnb Endurance Challenge.

IMSA Racing at Virginia International Raceway in 2026

The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship event at Virginia International Raceway features four distinct classes. Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) cars represent the premier class with advanced hybrid powertrains and manufacturers including Acura, Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Lamborghini, and Porsche. Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) entries bring closed-cockpit prototypes developed by approved constructors. GT Daytona Pro (GTD PRO) allows factory teams to compete with professional driver lineups in cars built to FIA GT3 regulations. GT Daytona (GTD) rounds out the field with production-based GT3 cars from brands like Aston Martin, BMW, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lexus, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche.

The IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge presents a different format. Le Mans Prototype 3 (LMP3) cars provide entry-level prototype racing. Grand Touring Daytona X (GTDX) and Grand Sport X (GSX) categories feature production-based cars built to international GT3 and GT4 technical regulations.

Virginia International Raceway Circuit Details

Virginia International Raceway measures 3.27 miles with 17 turns. The FIA and ACCUS certified circuit sits near the North Carolina border in Alton, Virginia. The track features 130 feet of elevation change and straightaways extending up to 4,000 feet, which allows cars to reach high speeds.

Track Configurations

The Full Course serves as the primary layout for major events. The North Course spans 2.25 miles with 17 turns, while the South Course measures 1.65 miles with 12 turns. The Patriot Course creates an inner loop of 1.1 miles with 12 turns, contained entirely within the Full Course. The Grand East Course extends to 4.20 miles with 25 turns, and the Grand West Course covers 4.10 miles with 28 turns. The facility can run two configurations simultaneously, such as the Full and Patriot Courses together.

Virginia International Raceway History

Virginia International Raceway opened on August 3, 1957. Carroll Shelby won the first SCCA race at the track, driving a Maserati 450S. The circuit became one of the first permanent American road racing facilities. VIR hosted the SCCA National Sports Car Championship from 1957 to 1964 and welcomed the IMSA GT Championship in 1971 and 1972.

The track closed in 1974 due to financial challenges and the 1973 fuel crisis. The property returned to farmland for 25 years. Connie Nyholm and Harvey Siegel purchased the site in 1998 and completed extensive renovations. The track reopened in March 2000 as America's first motorsport resort, offering lodging, dining, and racing activities. IMSA SportsCar Championship events returned to the schedule after the reopening.

Track Features and Character

Carroll Shelby famously stated that one lap at VIR equals a hundred at Watkins Glen, reflecting the circuit's demanding nature. The combination of high-speed straights, technical turns, and elevation changes tests both cars and drivers. The country club membership model introduced at VIR in 2000 influenced other racetracks across the United States.

The track appears in racing video games including Forza Motorsport 6, Forza Motorsport 7, and iRacing. A 200-year-old oak tree once stood between turns 11 and 12, creating a distinctive landmark until lightning struck it in July 2013. The facility planted saplings to honor this heritage. The British television program Top Gear filmed segments at Virginia International Raceway in 2010.

Virginia International Raceway also houses the Virginia Motorsports Technology Park, which includes the Global Center for Automotive Performance Simulation (GCAPS). This facility supports racing technology development and research.

What to Expect from IMSA at Virginia in 2026

The 2026 IMSA events at Virginia International Raceway bring professional sports car racing to one of America's most respected road courses. The WeatherTech Championship race runs for 2 hours and 40 minutes, providing sustained competition across all four classes. Teams and drivers compete on a circuit that rewards both speed and technical skill. The VP Racing SportsCar Challenge offers a different racing format with its own mix of prototypes and grand touring cars. Both events showcase the variety and depth of IMSA competition on a track with deep racing heritage.