IMSA secures long-term extensions with three entitlement partners
The entitlement partners for all three of IMSA’s owned and operated series have made long-term commitments to the championship through partnership extensions.
“The whole IMSA team has worked diligently over many years to develop a stable platform, and we could not be prouder to showcase the fruits of our labor today,” said IMSA President John Doonan. “Long-term partnership extensions are a huge vote of confidence that our platform is working. The commitments we’ve secured from the number of manufacturers that participate in IMSA is further proof that our platform is working.
“And perhaps the biggest indicator is what we experienced this past season, where record numbers of race fans have turned out at racetracks from coast-to-coast to take in the IMSA experience in person. The fans will ultimately benefit from this sustained period of stability.”
WeatherTech extends entitlement of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Through 2030
Initially a 10-year partnership when it began in 2016, IMSA and WeatherTech today confirmed an extension that will keep the Bolingbrook, Illinois-based company as the entitlement partner of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship through 2030.
“The name ‘WeatherTech’ has become synonymous with the pinnacle of sports car endurance racing,” Doonan said. “Our sport has achieved the growth we’ve experienced in no small part thanks to the support we’ve enjoyed from WeatherTech. We cannot express our gratitude to WeatherTech Founder David MacNeil and his entire family, as well as President Pat Womack and the entire WeatherTech team enough for trusting us with their brand and extending this vital partnership.”
“WeatherTech is extremely proud to extend our partnership with IMSA through 2030 as the series entitlement sponsor,” said David MacNeil, Founder and CEO, WeatherTech. “The series is the most competitive and exciting Sports Car racing in the world with almost 20 manufacturers challenging themselves at some of the most iconic race tracks in North America.”
Michelin extends IMSA partnership through 2028
Initially becoming the “Official Tire of IMSA” in 2019, Michelin’s partnership with IMSA has been extended through the 2028 season.
The partnership includes Michelin’s continued entitlement of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and the now five-race IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup. Michelin also will continue to supply tires for every car in the WeatherTech Championship, Michelin Pilot Challenge and the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge.
“Michelin’s support of IMSA is clearly evident on every race weekend,” said Doonan. “The IMSA and Michelin teams work closely together from both a marketing standpoint as well as on-track competition. Collectively, we have made substantial gains in those areas throughout the life of our partnership so far, and together we expect continued growth as we go forward.”
“We are excited to continue our partnership with IMSA as a leader in innovative and sustainable sports car racing,” said Alexis Garcin, president and CEO of Michelin North America, Inc. “Our collaboration together helped introduce the new Michelin GTP tire that provides extended performance for multiple stints, and this same approach will help launch the new GTD Pilot Sport Pro tire next season. As we extend our partnership, Michelin and IMSA will continue to find ways to transform sports car racing for a more sustainable future.”
VP Racing Fuels extended through 2030 as Official Fuel, VP Racing SportsCar Challenge entitlement
Becoming the Official Fuel Supplier of IMSA in 2014, VP Racing Fuels is already one of IMSA’s longest-running corporate partners. That partnership grows even longer with today’s announcement that VP Racing Fuels is locked in through 2030 as IMSA’s Official Fuel Supplier and entitlement partner of the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge.
VP Racing Fuels is on the forefront of IMSA’s sustainability efforts as supplier of the 80 percent renewable fuel currently being used in the WeatherTech Championship GTP class, which will become 100 percent renewable in the coming years. Meanwhile, the multi-class VP Racing Challenge has shown impressive growth throughout its first season in 2023 and is on track for continued success.
“IMSA has been fortunate to have such a reliable partner in VP Racing Fuels for so many years and we are thrilled to see it continue well into the future,” Doonan said. “VP Racing Fuels has consistently grown in visibility as a brand throughout our partnership, reaching well beyond our racetracks and into the consumer marketplace. We are mutually committed to continue growing both of our brands in the future.”
“VP Racing is excited to continue its nearly decade-long partnership with IMSA, bringing world-class racing to racers and fans across the world,” said Bruce Hendel, Senior Vice President of Global Sales for VP Racing. “We are proud of our relationship as Official Fuel, Official Performance Coolant, Official Fuel Additives, and renewable fuel partner, and we look forward to many years of continued success together.”
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