## Unprecedented Depth: IMSA Unveils Star-Studded Entry List for Endurance Classic
The stage is set for an epic showdown in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, with sportsamo.com proudly reporting on the release of a monumental entry list that promises unparalleled competition across all four classes. This forthcoming endurance classic, widely anticipated to be one of the most fiercely contested races in recent memory, boasts a formidable lineup of manufacturers, world-class teams, and an array of driving talent from across the globe, signaling a new zenith for sports car racing in North America. From the cutting-edge hybrid prototypes of GTP to the diverse and competitive GTD ranks, every category is brimming with storylines and potential champions.
**GTP: The Hybrid Heavyweights Prepare for Battle**
The Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class, the pinnacle of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, is poised to deliver an electrifying spectacle. At the forefront are the factory-backed powerhouses, each vying for supremacy with their sophisticated hybrid machinery. Porsche Penske Motorsport fields a potent two-car attack with the Porsche 963, featuring the formidable pairings of Laurens Vanthoor and Kevin Estre in the #6, and Felipe Nasr alongside Julien Andlauer in the #7. Both duos represent a blend of speed and endurance expertise, with Vanthoor and Estre bringing a wealth of international GT and prototype experience, while Nasr, a former IMSA champion, looks to build on his established success with Andlauer’s rising star. JDC-Miller MotorSports adds another Porsche 963 to the grid, the #5, driven by Tijmen van der Helm, Laurin Heinrich, and Kaylen Frederick, showcasing the strength of Porsche’s customer program and providing a crucial data point for the factory effort.
Cadillac’s challenge is equally robust, spearheaded by the proven might of Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti and the Cadillac V-Series.R. The #10 car sees the veteran duo of Ricky Taylor and Filipe Albuquerque, a pairing that has consistently been at the sharp end of prototype racing for years, bringing strategic acumen and raw pace. They are joined by the sister #40 entry with Jordan Taylor and Louis Deletraz, forming a formidable two-car assault that has proven capable of winning the biggest races. Cadillac Whelen further bolsters the brand’s presence with the #31 V-Series.R, piloted by the star-studded trio of Jack Aitken, Earl Bamber, and Frederik Vesti. Bamber is a two-time Le Mans winner, Aitken a former F2 driver now excelling in prototypes, and Vesti, an F1 junior talent, makes this a crew to watch closely, blending championship pedigree with exciting new talent.
BMW M Team WRT enters the fray with two BMW M Hybrid V8s, marking their continued commitment to the top class. The #24 features Dries Vanthoor and Sheldon van der Linde, two rapid drivers known for their aggressive style and ability to extract maximum performance, while the #25 is entrusted to Philipp Eng and Marco Wittmann, another pair of seasoned BMW factory drivers with extensive GT and prototype experience. The rivalry between these German manufacturers, coupled with the American might of Cadillac and Acura, sets the stage for a truly global contest.
Speaking of Acura, Meyer Shank Racing with Curb Agajanian brings two Acura ARX-06s to the grid. The #60 car, with Tom Blomqvist and Colin Braun, represents a proven, race-winning combination, while the #93 sees Renger van der Zande and Nick Yelloly, two drivers known for their fierce competitiveness. Acura has been a dominant force in recent IMSA prototype history, and they will undoubtedly be a factor in this event.
A particularly intriguing entry comes from ASTON MARTIN THOR Team, fielding the #23 Valkyrie with Ross Gunn and Roman De Angelis. The Aston Martin Valkyrie, typically a limited-production hypercar, represents a bold and ambitious move into the GTP class, signaling a potentially groundbreaking new chapter for Aston Martin in top-tier endurance racing. Its presence adds an exciting, exotic flavor to an already stacked grid and will be a major talking point throughout the event. This diverse collection of manufacturers and world-class drivers ensures that the GTP class will be a high-stakes, high-speed chess match from flag to flag.
**LMP2: The Proving Ground for Talent**
The LMP2 class, often considered the proving ground for future prototype stars and a crucible for privateer teams, features a robust field of ORECA LMP2 07 chassis, all powered by the reliable Gibson engine. United Autosports USA leads the charge with two entries: the #2 with Phil Fayer, Hunter McElrea, and Mikkel Jensen, and the #22 featuring Daniel Goldburg, Paul Di Resta, and Rasmus Lindh. Di Resta, a former F1 driver and multiple LMP2 champion, brings invaluable experience to the class.
Crowdstrike Racing by APR, Tower Motorsports, TDS Racing, and Era Motorsport are among the other strong contenders. The #18 Era Motorsport entry, with Naveen Rao, Ferdinand Habsburg, and Jacob Abel, is particularly compelling. Habsburg, a Le Mans winner in LMP2, adds significant strength. Inter Europol Competition, Bryan Herta Autosport with PR1/Mathiasen, Pratt Miller Motorsports, JDC-Miller MotorSports, and AO Racing round out a competitive field. The #73 Pratt Miller Motorsports car sees Pietro Fittipaldi, an ex-Formula 1 driver, adding another layer of star power, while the #99 AO Racing entry with PJ Hyett, Dane Cameron, and Jonny Edgar combines an experienced prototype ace in Cameron with up-and-coming talent. The LMP2 class is renowned for its tight, wheel-to-wheel racing and the importance of seamless driver changes and pit stop execution, making it a strategic battleground where consistency often trumps outright pace.
**GTD Pro: Factory Fights in the GT Ranks**
The GTD Pro class brings the fierce competition of factory-backed GT3 machinery, driven exclusively by professional drivers. The entry list is a veritable who’s who of global GT racing. Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports fields two brand-new Corvette Z06 GT3.R machines, with the #3 piloted by Antonio Garcia and Alexander Sims, and the #4 by Tommy Milner and Nicky Catsburg. This marks a new era for Corvette in GT racing, transitioning from the GTE platform, and all eyes will be on their performance.
Ford Racing makes a strong statement with two Ford Mustang GT3s, the #64 with Ben Barker and Dennis Olsen, and the #65 with Christopher Mies and Frederic Vervisch. The Mustang GT3 represents a significant new challenger in the class, bringing an iconic American muscle car into the global GT arena. Paul Miller Racing, a perennial contender, fields the #1 BMW M4 GT3 EVO with Neil Verhagen and Connor De Phillippi.
The class also features a strong international contingent. Pfaff Motorsports brings the new Lamborghini Temerario GT3, driven by Andrea Caldarelli and Sandy Mitchell. Vasser Sullivan Racing fields the #14 Lexus RC F GT3 with the successful pairing of Jack Hawksworth and Ben Barnicoat. Ferrari’s presence is marked by Triarsi Competizione (#033, James Calado, Riccardo Agostini) and Risi Competizione (#62, Daniel Serra, Davide Rigon), both with the Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO. The McLaren 720S GT3 EVO from RLL Team McLaren (#59, Max Esterson, Nikita Johnson) adds further diversity. Porsche’s challenge comes from AO Racing’s #77 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) with Nick Tandy and Harry King, and the #911 Manthey entry with Klaus Bachler and Thomas Preining, ensuring the German manufacturer is well-represented. The GTD Pro class promises an intense, no-holds-barred battle between some of the world’s finest GT drivers and most prestigious automotive brands.
**GTD: The Thrill of Pro-Am Competition**
The GTD class, featuring a blend of professional and amateur drivers, offers some of the most unpredictable and exciting racing on the IMSA calendar. The field is incredibly diverse, showcasing a wide array of GT3 machinery. Vasser Sullivan Racing fields the #12 Lexus RC F GT3 with Aaron Telitz, Benjamin Pedersen, and Frankie Montecalvo. Corvette’s new Z06 GT3.R also appears in GTD, with 13 Autosport’s #13 (Orey Fidani, Matthew Bell, Lars Kern) and DXDT Racing’s #36 (Mason Filippi, Salih Yoluc, Charlie Eastwood).
Ford’s new Mustang GT3 is also present, with Myers Riley Motorsports (#16, Sheena Monk, Felipe Fraga, Jenson Altzman) and Gradient Racing (#66, Jake Walker, Till Bechtolsheimer, TBD). The presence of multiple Mustangs in both GTD Pro and GTD underscores Ford’s aggressive return to top-tier sports car racing.
Ferrari is well-represented by AF Corse USA (#21, Simon Mann, Lilou Wadoux Ducellier, Antonio Fuoco), Triarsi Competizione (#023, Onofrio Triarsi, Kenton Koch, Robert Megennis), Conquest Racing (#34, Albert Costa, Lorenzo Patrese, Fran Rueda), and Inception Racing (#70, Brendan Iribe, Frederik Schandorff, Ollie Millroy), all campaigning the Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO. The inclusion of Lilou Wadoux Ducellier, a rising star in endurance racing, is particularly noteworthy.
Aston Martin’s presence is strong with the Heart of Racing Team’s #27 Vantage GT3 Evo (Dudu Barrichello, Tom Gamble, Zacharie Robichon) and Car Blanche’s #068 (Marius Fossard, Valentin Hasse Clot, Trenton Estep). Dudu Barrichello, son of F1 legend Rubens Barrichello, continues his ascent in sports car racing. Lamborghini is represented by Wayne Taylor Racing’s #45 Huracan GT3 EVO2 (Danny Formal, Trent Hindman, Graham Doyle).
Mercedes-AMG also has a strong showing with WINWARD RACING’s #57 GT3 (Russell Ward, Philip Ellis, Indy Dontje) and Lone Star Racing’s #80 (Scott Andrews, Lin Hodenius, James Roe). DragonSpeed adds another Corvette Z06 GT3.R with the #81 (Giacomo Altoè, Casper Stevenson, Alec Udell).
Porsche’s formidable 911 GT3 R (992) is present through Rs1 (#28, TBD, TBD, Jan Heylen), Wright Motorsports (#120, Adam Adelson, Callum Ilott, Tom Sargent), and Manthey 1st Phorm (#912, Ryan Hardwick, Riccardo Pera, Morris Schuring). Callum Ilott, a former IndyCar driver and Ferrari academy alumnus, brings significant pedigree to the Wright Motorsports effort. BMW also fields an M4 GT3 EVO with Turner Motorsport’s #96 (Patrick Gallagher, Robby Foley, Francis Selldorff). The GTD class demands impeccable team strategy, careful management of driver performance, and a touch of luck to navigate traffic and ever-changing track conditions, promising a truly captivating contest.
This entry list paints a vivid picture of a championship event brimming with talent, technological innovation, and an unwavering commitment from manufacturers. Fans can anticipate a thrilling display of speed, strategy, and endurance as these teams and drivers push the limits in pursuit of glory. The stage is set for an unforgettable chapter in IMSA history.
