Michelin, Sebring to stage one-off enduro in 2018

BRASELTON, Ga. — Looking to build interest in sports car racing in North America ahead of its taking over as the spec tire supplier for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Chamionship, Michelin North America is teaming with Sebring International Raceway to stage a one-off, four-hour endurance race in November 2018.

The event, called the Michelin IMSA SportsCar Encore, will feature a four-hour race for LMP3 prototype racers and production-based GT3, GT4 and TCR sports and touring cars with a pro-am driver lineup format. It's scheduled for Nov. 9-11, 2018.

"The Michelin IMSA SportsCar Encore will offer a unique, fun and open opportunity for a variety of platforms to step into the spotlight in an endurance racing format," IMSA President Scott Atherton said at a press conference at Road Atlanta in Braselton, where the 2016 IMSA season finale is being held this weekend.

"There will be an interesting mix of race cars and drivers. We anticipate existing IMSA teams will participate alongside additional teams that will have the opportunity to sample what IMSA and Michelin have to offer."

Michelin North America is taking over in 2019 as the spec tire supplier for the IMSA WeatherTech series, replacing Continental Tire the Americas, which has been the series' supplier since 2010.

Chris Baker, Michelin's director of motorsport, said the Encore will be a great opportunity to entice participants from other racing series, such as the European LeMans Series or VLN German endurance series, to take on the IMSA competitors in a non-points race format.

"We are looking forward to working for the first time with so many teams and drivers as everyone prepares for the 2019 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, IMSA Michelin SportsCar Challenge and IMSA Prototype Challenge," he said.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

As for the cars eligible to compete, Michelin and Sebring noted:

• LMP3 chassis from all homologated manufacturers will be eligible to compete with the global Nissan-based V8 engine.

• GT3, GT4 and TCR homologated race cars from mainstream automotive manufacturers with established operations in the U.S. will be eligible.

Every car in the field will ride on Michelin tires, which will mark the first event for Michelin as the new official tire of IMSA ahead of the 2019 season.