IMSA - Michelin GT Challenge at VIR

The Michelin GT Challenge at VIR stands as a premier GT-only race weekend within the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Virginia International Raceway hosts this competition, which showcases the GTD Pro and GTD classes in pure sports car racing action. The 2026 edition continues the tradition of bringing together top manufacturers and professional teams to compete on one of North America's most demanding road courses.

About the Race

The official event title is the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship - Michelin GT Challenge and Virginia Is for Racing Lovers Grand Prix. This GT-only format highlights the Grand Touring categories exclusively, creating focused competition between production-based sports cars. The main race follows the standard IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship format as a 2-hour, 40-minute sprint race featuring GTD Pro and GTD class entries.

Virginia International Raceway Circuit

Virginia International Raceway sits in Alton, Virginia, near Danville and close to the North Carolina border. The facility has earned recognition as one of the continent's most challenging racing venues.

Track Configuration

The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship uses the Full Course configuration at VIR. This layout measures 3.27 miles (5.263 km) in length and features 17 turns. The circuit includes significant elevation changes reaching 130 feet (40 meters) from the lowest to highest points.

Track Characteristics

Virginia International Raceway combines long straights with technical sections. The front straightaway extends 3,000 feet while the back straightaway stretches 4,000 feet. These high-speed sections connect to flowing corners and tight turns that test driver precision and car setup. The elevation changes add complexity to racing lines and braking zones.

Competing Classes and Manufacturers

The Michelin GT Challenge at VIR features two distinct classes of GT competition.

GTD Pro Class

GTD Pro entries consist of professional drivers piloting cars built to FIA GT3 technical regulations. Factory-backed teams typically compete in this category, bringing manufacturer support and experienced professional lineups.

GTD Class

The GTD (GT Daytona) class uses the same FIA GT3 specification cars as GTD Pro but operates under a Pro-Am driver format. This structure combines professional racers with accomplished amateur drivers.

Expected Manufacturers

The 2026 entry list is expected to include manufacturers such as Aston Martin, BMW, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lexus, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche. McLaren returns to the GTD Pro category in 2026, adding another manufacturer to the competitive field. IMSA has indicated a strong provisional full-season entry list across all classes.

Technical Specifications

Race Cars

Both GTD Pro and GTD classes feature production-based cars modified to meet FIA GT3 technical specifications. These machines incorporate advanced aerodynamics, powerful engines, and sophisticated suspension systems while maintaining connections to their road-going counterparts.

Tire Specifications

Michelin serves as the title sponsor and exclusive tire supplier for all GT classes in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The company provides high-performance racing tires engineered for grip and durability on demanding circuits like Virginia International Raceway.

Balance of Performance

IMSA implements a Balance of Performance (BoP) system to ensure competitive parity among different manufacturers and car models. This system adjusts parameters including weight, engine power, and aerodynamics to create fair competition. IMSA publishes BoP adjustments through technical bulletins throughout the season.

Historical Background

Virginia International Raceway opened in August 1957. The inaugural SCCA race at the facility saw Carroll Shelby take victory. IMSA's connection to VIR began with the first IMSA GT race in 1971. The track closed from 1974 to 2000 before undergoing revival and returning to the professional sports car racing calendar. Michelin became the title sponsor for the GT Challenge at VIR in 2016, establishing the event as a dedicated GT showcase on the IMSA schedule.

Unique Aspects of Virginia International Raceway

Virginia International Raceway earned recognition as America's first Motorsport Resort. The facility offers lodging, dining, and activities beyond racing. The track holds FIA and ACCUS certification, meeting international safety and operational standards.

VIR can run multiple track configurations simultaneously, a rare capability among racing circuits. The Oak Tree, which stood for over 150 years within a turn, served as a landmark until lightning struck it in 2013. Connie Nyholm became owner and CEO in 2013, making her one of the few female majority owners of a world-class professional racing circuit in the United States.

What to Expect from the 2026 Edition

The 2026 Michelin GT Challenge at VIR promises close competition between manufacturers in both GTD Pro and GTD categories. The GT-only format creates focused racing without the complexity of multi-class traffic from prototype categories. Virginia International Raceway's challenging layout rewards driver skill and team strategy, with elevation changes and corner combinations creating opportunities for position changes throughout the race.

The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship's balance of performance regulations aim to keep competition tight among the diverse field of GT3 machinery. Fans of sports car racing will see production-based cars from leading manufacturers competing at high speeds on a circuit that tests every aspect of car and driver performance.