2021 IMSA SportsCar Championship
The 2021 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship is a planned motor racing championship, set to be the 51st racing season sanctioned by the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) (which traces its lineage back to the 1971 IMSA GT Championship). This is also scheduled to be the eighth United SportsCar Championship season and sixth under the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship name. The series is set to begin on January 30 with the 24 Hours of Daytona, and conclude on October 9 with the Petit Le Mans after 12 races.
Classes
- Daytona Prototype international (DPi)
- Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2)
- Le Mans Prototype 3 (LMP3)
- GT Le Mans (GTLM)
- GT Daytona (GTD)
For the 2021 season, a new class is set to join the class hierarchy: Le Mans Prototype 3 (LMP3), in an attempt to bolster the number of entries across each race. It is a new addition to the structure of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, having previously been the main class in one of the championships' feeder series, the IMSA Prototype Challenge.[1][2]
Rule Changes
Sporting Regulations
On September 9th, 2020, IMSA announced a revamp of their points system. For the 2021 season onward, the existing points system would be used for the results of qualifying, with the same points system being multiplied by 10 for the main race. In addition, the existing amateur-based classes (LMP2 and GTD) would have a revised qualifying structure, with the session being split into two halves, with both halves requiring a different driver and set of tires to be used for qualifying. This format would be applied to the incoming LMP3 class as well.[3]
Zeitplan
The provisional schedule was released on September 9th, 2020, and features 12 rounds. The schedule is pending, however, because of COVID-19 regulations that may still be in effect.[1]
Notes
Entries
Daytona Prototype international (DPi)
Team | Chassis | Engine | No. | Drivers | Rounds |
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Cadillac DPi-V.R | Cadillac 5.5 L V8 | 5 | ![]() |
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Acura ARX-05 | Acura AR35TT 3.5 L Turbo V6 | 10 | ![]() |
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Cadillac DPi-V.R | Cadillac 5.5 L V8 | 31 | ![]() |
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Acura ARX-05 | Acura AR35TT 3.5 L Turbo V6 | 60 | ![]() |
TBA |
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Cadillac DPi-V.R | Cadillac 5.5 L V8 | TBA | ![]() |
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Mazda RT24-P | Mazda MZ-2.0T 2.0 L Turbo I4 | TBA | ![]() |
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TBA |
Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2)
In accordance with the 2017 LMP2 regulations, all cars in the LMP2 class use the Gibson GK428 V8 engine.[13]
Team | Chassis | No. | Drivers | Rounds |
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Oreca 07 | 18 | ![]() |
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Oreca 07 | 20 | ![]() |
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Ligier JS P217 | 35 | ![]() |
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Dallara P217 | 47 | ![]() |
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Oreca 07 | 64 | ![]() |
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Oreca 07 | 51 | ![]() |
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Oreca 07 | 81 | ![]() |
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TBA |
Le Mans Prototype 3 (LMP3)
In accordance with the 2020 LMP3 regulations, all cars in the LMP3 class use the Nissan VK56DE 5.6L V8 engine.
Team | Chassis | No. | Drivers | Rounds |
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Ligier JS P320 | 6 | ![]() |
TBA |
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Ligier JS P320 | 11 | ![]() |
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Ligier JS P320 | 54 | ![]() |
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Ligier JS P320 | 74 | ![]() |
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Ligier JS P320 | TBA | ![]() |
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GT Le Mans (GTLM)
Team | Chassis | Engine | No. | Drivers | Rounds |
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Chevrolet Corvette C8.R | Chevrolet 5.5 L V8 | 3 | ![]() |
TBA |
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4 | ![]() |
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Porsche 911 RSR-19 | Porsche 4.0 L Flat-6 | 88 | ![]() |
TBA |
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TBA |
GT Daytona (GTD)
Team | Chassis | Engine | No. | Drivers | Rounds |
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Porsche 911 GT3 R | Porsche 4.0 L Flat-6 | 21 | ![]() |
TBA |
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Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo | Mercedes-AMG M159 6.2 L V8 | 28 | ![]() |
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Acura NSX GT3 Evo | Acura 3.5 L Turbo V6 | 44 | ![]() |
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Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo | Lamborghini 5.2 L V10 | TBA | ![]() |
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Lexus RC F GT3 | Lexus 5.0 L V8 | TBA | ![]() |
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TBA |
References
- ^ a b Malsher-Lopez, David (9 September 2020). "IMSA reveals 2021 schedule, LMP3 to join WeatherTech Championship". motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
- ^ Dagys, John (9 September 2020). "LMP3 Class Confirmed for 2021 Debut". sportscar365.com. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
- ^ "New Points Structure, Qualifying Format for 2021". sportscar365.com. John Dagys Media. 9 September 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
- ^ a b Dagys, John (18 November 2020). "Duval Set for Full-Season Drive in JDC-Miller Cadillac DPi". sportscar365.com. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ^ a b Dagys, John (23 September 2020). "WTR, MSR to Campaign Acura DPis in 2021". sportscar365.com. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
- ^ a b c d Dagys, John (23 November 2020). "Taylor, Albuquerque Confirmed in All-New WTR Acura DPi Lineup". sportscar365.com. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
- ^ a b c d Dagys, John (10 November 2020). "Nasr, Derani to Continue With Action Express in 2021". sportscar365.com. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
- ^ "AJ Allmendinger Returns to Meyer Shank Racing for 15th Rolex 24 At Daytona – Meyer Shank Racing". Retrieved 9 October 2020.
- ^ Dagys, John (16 November 2020). "MSR Confirms Cameron for Acura DPi Campaign". sportscar365.com. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ Pruett, Marshall (16 October 2020). "Pla confirmed for 2021 Meyer Shank Acura DPi seat". racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing Inc. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
- ^ Dagys, John (16 November 2020). "Ganassi Cadillac DPi Confirmed for 2021". sportscar365.com. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ a b c d Pruett, Marshall (2 October 2020). "Single Mazda DPi team entry for 2021". racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing Inc. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
- ^ "New Year, New Regulations for LMP2". European Le Mans Series. 13 January 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Lloyd, Daniel (18 November 2020). "Era Confirms Daytona LMP2 Entry with Chatin, Dalziel". sportscar365.com. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ^ a b Dagys, John (20 November 2020). "High Class Commits to Rolex 24; LMP2 Grid Continues Growth". sportscar365.com. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
- ^ a b Lloyd, Daniel (27 November 2020). "Eurasia, Rick Ware Team Up for Rolex 24 LMP2 Entry". sportscar365.com. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Lloyd, Daniel (13 November 2020). "Cetilar to Enter Rolex 24 with Dallara LMP2". sportscar365.com. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
- ^ a b Dagys, John (23 November 2020). "K2R Planning Full-Season LMP2 Effort". sportscar365.com. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
- ^ a b Dagys, John (16 November 2020). "DragonSpeed Commits to Rolex 24 with Lux in LMP2". sportscar365.com. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ "Performance Tech Confirms 2021 IMSA Weathertech LMP3 Ligier Entry". Dailysportscar. 1 October 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
- ^ "EuroInternational Confirm Asian Le Mans Series and Rolex 24 Hours Plans". Dailysportscar. 28 September 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
- ^ a b c Goodwin, Graham (9 October 2020). "Core Autosport Return In 2021 With LMP3 Ligier". dailysportscar.com. Dailysportscar. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
- ^ a b c Dagys, John (9 September 2020). "Riley Confirmed as First LMP3 Entry With Murry, Cox". sportscar365.com. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
- ^ Lloyd, Daniel (2 October 2020). "United Announces Two-Car LMP3 Entry for Rolex 24". sportscar365.com. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g Dagys, John (15 November 2020). "Tandy Set to Replace Gavin at Corvette". sportscar365.com. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
- ^ a b "Proton Competition To Field GTLM Porsche At Rolex 24 Hours". Dailysportscar. 15 November 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
- ^ a b c Dagys, John (14 November 2020). "Bamber to Drive Hardpoint EBM Porsche GTD Entry in 2021". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
- ^ Myrehn, Ryan (16 October 2020). "Alegra Announces GTD Return With Mercedes-AMG". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
- ^ "Magnus Switch To Acura With Archangel In 2021". Dailysportscar. 20 November 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
- ^ Dagys, John (23 October 2020). "Grasser Confirms GTWC Return; Increased GT Masters Effort". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ Pruett, Marshall (24 November 2020). "Vasser Sullivan moving ahead without AIM". racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc. Retrieved 25 November 2020.