@IMSA • @CTMPOfficial • BOWMANVILLE, ON – (August 12, 2015) Canadian Tire Motorsport Park is thrilled to announce that the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship will return in 2016 with all four classes competing. The Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix presented by Hawk Performance will take place on July 7-10 weekend.
The WeatherTech Championship Prototype (P) class will feature a 10-race schedule, while an 11-race calendar is planned for the Prototype Challenge (PC), GT Le Mans (GTLM) and GT Daytona (GTD) classes. Every venue on the 2016 WeatherTech Championship schedule hosted the series in 2015. Notable modifications include the addition of the PC class alongside the P and GTLM classes at Long Beach on April 16, the inclusion of all four classes (addition of GTD) at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park on July 10 and the addition of GTLM to the PC and GTD classes at Lime Rock Park on July 23.
"The schedule of world-class venues that host WeatherTech Championship events continue to be one of IMSA's most significant assets for our stakeholders and race fans," said IMSA President Scott Atherton.
"We've been able to confirm our following year's schedule in August for the second consecutive year, which provides clear direction for our teams as they make their plans and speaks to the great relationships we've developed with our event promoters. Wherever possible, we've also preserved date equity and made strategic additions to the content at some venues, giving us 12 strong events in 2016. I've said it before, but our 2016 calendar provides our teams, marketing partners and most especially, our fans, with one of the best schedules in the industry – we couldn't be more pleased."
The WeatherTech Championship will continue to be anchored by four prestigious endurance events – also collectively known as the Tequila Patr?n North American Endurance Cup. Following the Rolex 24, the series moves to Sebring International Raceway on March 19 for the 64th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida. The Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen moves back one week from its traditional date in 2016 to July 3, and the season will conclude on Oct. 1 at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia with the Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda.
In addition to the endurance events and the previously mentioned Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix presented by Hawk Performance, all four WeatherTech Championship classes also will be featured at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on May 1, Road America on August 7 and Circuit of The Americas on September 17. Detroit's Belle Isle Park again hosts the P, PC and GTD classes on June 4 as GTLM teams take their traditional break for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and VIRginia International Raceway will showcase the two WeatherTech Championship GT classes on August 21.
"We at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park are thrilled to be welcoming back the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship," said Myles Brandt, President and General Manager of Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.
"After running three of the four classes for the past two years, it will be great to see all four compete here. Having all four classes, with the different manufacturers and speed differential, will provide our partners and fans with another memorable weekend next July."
2016 TUDOR UNITED SPORTSCAR CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Jan. 30-31 Daytona International Speedway ALL Classes
March 19 Sebring International Raceway ALL Classes
April 16 Long Beach Street Circuit P/PC/GTLM
May 1 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca ALL Classes
June 4 Detroit Belle Isle P/PC/GTD
July 3 Watkins Glen International ALL Classes
July 10 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park ALL Classes
July 23 Lime Rock Park PC/GTLM/GTD
Aug. 7 Road America ALL Classes
Aug. 21 Virginia International Raceway GTLM/GTD
Sept. 17 Circuit of The Americas ALL Classes
Oct. 1 Road Atlanta ALL Classes
For more information call the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Hotline at 1-800-866-1072 (Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm ET), visit online at www.canadiantiremotorsportpark.com, or email info@ctmpark.com
For further information: Ryan Chalmers
ryan@ctmpark.com 800-866-1072 (office) (905) 260-1711 (cell)
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