IMSA - Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix Presented By Lear

The Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix Presented By Lear brings IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship racing to the streets of downtown Detroit. This event features the premier GTP and GTD PRO classes competing on the Detroit Street Circuit. The race weekend showcases high-level prototype and GT racing on a challenging urban course that tests both drivers and machines.

About the Race

The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship hosts the Chevrolet Detroit Sports Car Classic at this event. The race takes place on the temporary street circuit in downtown Detroit. The weekend also includes the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone. Friday serves as "Fifth Third Free Prix Day," which provides free general admission to Grandstands 1 and 9 for fans.

The Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix Presented By Lear operates as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization under the Downtown Detroit Partnership. This structure supports the community while delivering professional motorsports competition.

The Detroit Street Circuit

The Detroit Street Circuit measures 1.7 miles (2.647 km) and features 10 turns. Race organizers constructed this temporary course using several downtown streets, including Jefferson Avenue, Bates Street, Atwater Street, St. Antoine, Franklin Street, and Rivard. The track configuration debuted in 2023 as a modified version of the original downtown circuits that hosted Formula One and CART racing.

Jefferson Avenue provides a long 0.7-mile frontstretch that leads into a wide hairpin at Turn 3. The circuit includes elevation changes and combines slow corners with high-speed sections. This mix creates opportunities for overtaking and close racing. The track also features a unique double-sided pit lane.

The layout minimizes disruption to city traffic while improving spectator accessibility and visibility. Drivers have expressed varied opinions about the circuit. Some appreciate its precision and rough surface, drawing comparisons to Sebring. Others note concerns about the tight confines for prototype racing.

Racing Classes and Competition

GTP Class

The GTP (Grand Touring Prototype) class represents the top tier of IMSA competition. These prototype race cars feature advanced technology and use a common hybrid powertrain system. The system stores kinetic energy from braking and deploys it for acceleration. All GTP cars follow LMDh technical regulations, which create competitive balance among manufacturers.

GTD PRO Class

GTD PRO (Grand Touring Daytona Professional) cars comply with FIA GT3 technical regulations. Manufacturers that typically compete in this class include Aston Martin, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lexus, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche. These production-based race cars offer close competition and feature professional driver lineups.

Teams and drivers for the 2026 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix Presented By Lear will be announced as the race approaches. The combination of GTP and GTD PRO classes provides fans with two distinct forms of sports car racing on the Detroit Street Circuit.

Technical Regulations

IMSA has issued 2026 Sporting Regulations and Technical Regulations for the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Several updates apply to the upcoming season.

The "Short FCY" (Full Course Yellow) protocol has been revised. This procedure applies to any FCY deployed within 30 minutes of the race start or within 15 minutes of a green flag restart. The pit lane remains closed during a Short FCY unless officials convert it to a Standard FCY.

GTD PRO teams receive additional test days for the 2026 season. Teams can now conduct six test days per year. Bronze-rated drivers must apply to IMSA for permission to race in GTP or GTD PRO. These drivers face increased minimum drive time requirements in longer races.

Drivers and teams can use private in-car camera footage on their websites and social media platforms. They must obtain a license agreement from IMSA before posting this content. Michelin serves as the official tire partner for the series. Teams must share tire performance data with IMSA upon request.

Event Background

The Detroit Grand Prix began in 1982 as a Formula One World Championship event on downtown streets. The original F1 circuit measured 2.5 miles and included 17 to 24 turns. The track featured a rough surface and a tunnel section. Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) replaced Formula One in 1989 and used a modified downtown circuit until 1991.

The race moved to Belle Isle from 1992 to 2001, then returned for 2007-2008 and 2012-2022. IMSA's premier sports car series joined the Detroit Grand Prix in 2007 under various championship names. The series became the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2016.

The Grand Prix returned to downtown Detroit streets in 2023. IMSA's WeatherTech Championship made its debut on the current downtown circuit in 2024. This return brought professional racing back to the urban setting where the event originated.

Notable Features

The 2026 race represents the fourth consecutive year on the downtown Detroit streets since the 2023 return. The circuit's challenging nature creates unique racing conditions on the IMSA calendar.

Historical achievements at Detroit include John Watson's 1982 Formula One victory from 17th position on the grid. This result set a record for the lowest starting position for a winner on a street circuit at that time. The 1983 F1 race marked the final Grand Prix victory for the Cosworth DFV V8 engine and the Tyrrell racing team.

The Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix Presented By Lear combines IMSA sports car racing with an urban environment. The Detroit Street Circuit provides a distinct challenge for teams competing in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Fans can experience GTP and GTD PRO racing on the streets of a major American city.