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.[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.

IMSA Prototype Challenge
CategorySports car racing
CountryUnited States, Canada
Inaugural season2006
Folded2022
ClassesLMP3
Last Drivers' championEstonia Tõnis Kasemets
Last Teams' championWulver Racing
Official websiteIMSA Official Site

The series' final season was in 2022. For 2023, the series was replaced with the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge.[2]

Car Specifications

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LMP3 Class

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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

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MPC Class

L2 Class[5]

L2 Class 2006-2012 only[6]

L3 Class 2006-2009 only, class discontinued for 2010[7]

Champions

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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]

References

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  1. ^ "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.
  2. ^ "IMSA to Replace Prototype Challenge with New Sprint Racing Class in 2023". autoweek.com. Hearst Autos, Inc. July 1, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  3. ^ "The different classes". Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO). Retrieved 2016-05-05.
  4. ^ 2014 Technical Regulations Archived 2015-10-15 at the Wayback Machine, IMSA.com/competitors, Retrieved 20 September 2014
  5. ^ 2014 Technical Regulations Archived 2015-10-15 at the Wayback Machine, IMSA.com/competitors, Retrieved 20 September 2014
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ Åberg, Andres. "The racing career of Adam Pecorari — in detail". Driver Database. Archived from the original on 19 October 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  9. ^ "Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Results and Points". International Motor Sports Association. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
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