IMSA Prototype Challenge
IMSA Prototype Challenge (formerly IMSA Prototype Lites) was a racing series featuring two classes of single-seat prototype cars racing simultaneously. The series was sanctioned by the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). Most races were held in support of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The series raced LMP3 class prototype sportscars. The cars have grown in size and speed since its 2006 introduction, starting from four-cylinder and motorcycle powered race cars to large V8 powered cars. Each race was 1 hour and 45 minutes long apart from the season opening 3 hour race at Daytona International Speedway. The series' final season was in 2022. For 2023, the series was replaced with the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge.
 | |
| Category | Sports car racing |
|---|---|
| Country | United States, Canada |
| Inaugural season | 2006 |
| Folded | 2022 |
| Classes | LMP3 |
| Last Drivers' champion |  Tõnis Kasemets |
| Last Teams' champion | Wulver Racing |
| Official website | IMSA Official Site |
IMSA Prototype Challenge (formerly IMSA Prototype Lites) was a racing series featuring two classes of single-seat prototype cars racing simultaneously. The series was sanctioned by the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). Most races were held in support of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.[1] The series raced LMP3 class prototype sportscars. The cars have grown in size and speed since its 2006 introduction, starting from four-cylinder and motorcycle powered race cars to large V8 powered cars. Each race was 1 hour and 45 minutes long apart from the season opening 3 hour race at Daytona International Speedway.
The series' final season was in 2022. For 2023, the series was replaced with the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge.[2]
Car Specifications
[edit]LMP3 Class
[edit]| Minimum weight | 930 kilograms (2,050 lb) |
| Maximum length | 4,650 millimetres (183 in) |
| Maximum width | 1,900 millimetres (75 in) |
| Engine | Naturally aspirated Nissan V8 5.6L |
| Fuel tank size | 85 litres (22 US gal) |
| Maximum wheel diameter | 28 inches (710 mm) |
| Maximum wheel width | 13 inches (330 mm) [3] |
Former classes
[edit]MPC Class
- Engine: 2.0-liter, Naturally aspirated Mazda MZR engine
- Gearbox: 6 Speed Sequential Manual Transmission
- Weight: 1,425 lb (646 kg) with driver
- Fuel Delivery: Electronic fuel injection[4]
L2 Class[5]
- Engine: 2.3-liter, Naturally aspirated Mazda MP2
- Gearbox: 6 Speed Sequential Manual Transmission
- Weight: 1,425 lb (646 kg) with driver
- Fuel Delivery: Electronic fuel injection
L2 Class 2006-2012 only[6]
- Engine: 1000cc Naturally aspirated Kawasaki or Suzuki
- Weight: 1,100 lb (500 kg) with driver
L3 Class 2006-2009 only, class discontinued for 2010[7]
- Engine: 2.3-liter, Naturally aspirated Mazda MZR
- Weight: 1,350 lb (612 kg) with driver
Champions
[edit]| Season | Class | Driver Champion | Masters Champion | Team Champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | L1 |  Adam Pecorari[8]
|
n/a | Cape Motorsports
|
| L2 | Dan McBreen
|
n/a | PVM Racing | |
| L3 | Robert Mumm
|
n/a | n/a | |
| 2007 | L1 |  Gerardo Bonilla
|
n/a | B-K Motorsports
|
| L2 | Robby Card
|
n/a | PVM Racing | |
| L3 | Richard Spicer
|
n/a | Spicer-Hagerman
| |
| 2008 | L1 | Jonathan Goring
|
Jon Brownson
|
Comprent Motorsports
|
| L2 |  Tom Drewer
|
Eric Vassian
|
WEST Racing
| |
| L3 | Chris Funk
|
Chris Funk
|
KC Racing | |
| 2009 | L1 | Joel Feinberg
|
Gary Gibson
|
Eurosport Racing
|
| L2 | John Weisberg
|
Alain Nadal
|
Berg Racing
| |
| L3 | Chris Doyle
|
Chris Funk
|
Surface Exploration | |
| 2010 | L1 | Charlie Shears
|
Charlie Shears
|
Core Autosport
|
| L2 | John Weisberg
|
Jim Garrett
|
Berg Racing
| |
| 2011 | L1 | Ricardo Vera
|
Daniel Mancini
|
Eurosport
|
| L2 |  Robert Sabato
|
Alan Wilzig
|
6th Gear Racing
| |
| 2012 | L1 | Tristan Nunez
|
Jon Brownson
|
Performance Tech
|
| L2 | Scott Tucker
|
Alan Wilzig
|
Level 5 Motorsports
| |
| 2013 | L1 | Sean Rayhall
|
Jon Brownson
|
Performance Tech
|
| L2 | Brian Alder
|
Jerome Mee
|
Ansa Motorsports
| |
| 2014 | L1 |  Mikhail Goikhberg
|
John Falb
|
JDC Motorsports
|
| L2 | Brian Alder
|
Jerome Mee
|
BAR1 Motorsports
| |
| 2015 | L1 | Kenton Koch
|
John Falb
|
JDC Motorsports
|
| L2 | Brian Alder
|
n/a | BAR1 Motorsports
| |
| 2016 | L1 | Clark Toppe
|
Joel Janco
|
JDC Motorsports
|
| 2017 | LMP3 | Colin Thompson
|
Naj Husain
|
P1 Motorsports
|
| MPC | Kyle Masson
|
 Stuart Rettie
|
Performance Tech Motorsports
| |
| 2018 | LMP3 | Kris Wright
|
Cameron Cassels
|
#30 Extreme Speed Motorsports
|
| MPC | Jon Brownson
|
n/a | #34 Eurosport Racing
| |
| 2019 | LMP3 | Austin McCusker Rodrigo Pflucker
|
Joel Janco
|
#47 Forty 7 Racing
|
| 2020 | LMP3 | Matthew Bell Naveen Rao
|
Steven Thomas
|
#64 K2R Motorsports LLC
|
| 2021 | LMP3-1 | Dakota Dickerson Josh Sarchet
|
David Grant Keith Grant
|
MLT Motorsports
|
| LMP3-2 | Danny Kok George Staikos
|
Danny Kok George Staikos
|
Conquest Racing
| |
| 2022 | LMP3 | Tõnis Kasemets
|
n/a | Wulver Racing
|
| [9] | ||||
Circuits
[edit]
Barber Motorsports Park (2017–2018)
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (2007–2019, 2022)
Circuit of the Americas (2013)
Circuit Trois-Rivières (2016–2017)
Daytona International Speedway (2018–2021)
Kansas Speedway (2014)
Laguna Seca (2007–2008, 2010–2013, 2016)
Lime Rock Park (2006–2011, 2017, 2003–2015)
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (2006, 2011, 2013, 2019–2022)
New Jersey Motorsports Park (2009–2010)
NOLA Motorsports Park (2015)
Road America (2006, 2009–2015, 2020)
Road Atlanta (2006–2022)- Sebring International Raceway (2007–2021)
Utah Motorsports Campus (2007–2010, 2012)
Virginia International Raceway (2012, 2014–2015, 2018–2022)
Watkins Glen International (2014–2017, 2021)
References
[edit]- ^ "IMSA, Cooper Tire align for partnership in Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Championship" (PDF). Press release. International Motor Sports Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
- ^ "IMSA to Replace Prototype Challenge with New Sprint Racing Class in 2023". autoweek.com. Hearst Autos, Inc. July 1, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
- ^ "The different classes". Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO). Retrieved 2016-05-05.
- ^ 2014 Technical Regulations Archived 2015-10-15 at the Wayback Machine, IMSA.com/competitors, Retrieved 20 September 2014
- ^ 2014 Technical Regulations Archived 2015-10-15 at the Wayback Machine, IMSA.com/competitors, Retrieved 20 September 2014
- ^ "Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Championship Technical Regulations Lites 2 / L-2 2011" (PDF). International Motor Sports Association. January 20, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
- ^ "Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Championship Technical Regulations Lites 3 / L-3 2010" (PDF). International Motor Sports Association. February 1, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
- ^ Åberg, Andres. "The racing career of Adam Pecorari — in detail". Driver Database. Archived from the original on 19 October 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
- ^ "Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Results and Points". International Motor Sports Association. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
External links
[edit]- Official site Archived 2017-02-20 at the Wayback Machine