After two seasons as a LMP3 and GT4 single-driver sprint series, the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge will sport a new look again in 2025 with the addition of GT3 cars in a six-event, 12-race season.
The new class – to be named Grand Touring Daytona X (GTDX) — will utilize currently homologated FIA GT3 specification car models that have participated in the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
“The introduction of GT3 cars into the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge creates new opportunities for drivers and teams to participate in IMSA,” said IMSA President John Doonan. “Over the past few years, we have received more entries than we have been able to accept in the WeatherTech Championship – particularly in the GTD ranks — and this will enable us to accommodate more competitors who wish to race in IMSA.
“A number of teams, drivers and manufacturers have expressed an interest in participating in an IMSA-sanctioned, GT3-based sprint format. The market has spoken again and GTDX is IMSA’s response.”
A baseline Balance of Performance (BoP) for the 2025 GTDX season will be established from IMSA’s 2024 GTD category data and performance, with Success Ballast applied to top-finishing individual race cars following each event weekend in GTDX only. GTDX cars will use a variant of the 2024 GTD technical regulations and electronics package and will not use torque sensors.
All three classes will utilize a single driver per car, per event. All drivers must have an FIA categorization of either Bronze or Silver. The weekend format for the series will continue to include two 45-minute sprint races without pit stops, with one 15-minute qualifying session for P3 and a 15-minute combined qualifying session for GTDX and GSX.
The fastest lap time achieved by each car during a qualifying session sets its position for Race 1. Starting positions for Race 2 will be set by either the second-fastest time achieved by each car during the qualifying session, or the fastest lap achieved during Race 1, whichever is faster. Each event weekend also will include two, 40-minute practice sessions, an increase in track time from the pair of 30-minute practice sessions for the series in 2024.
As in the current season, the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge will kick off at Daytona International Speedway during the Roar Before the 24 weekend. Five weekends follow, including a new venue for the series, Circuit of The Americas accompanying the NASCAR Cup Series race at the Austin, Texas track.
Other circuits include Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with Michelin Pilot Challenge, and with the WeatherTech Championship at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, VIRginia International Raceway and the season finale at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.