The WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series is full of variety when it comes to the cars you’ll see on the track. However, the world of sportscar racing can be quite challenging if you’re not up to speed on all the details. Below, we are going to discuss some of the “must know” aspects of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship so you won’t be left in the dark at the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen race on Sunday, July 1.
First off, there are three classes within the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series that you’ll see at The Glen. The three classes are broken down into Prototypes (P), GT Le Mans (GTLM), and GT Daytona (GTD).
Now, what makes each class unique? For the Prototypes, it is simple. Their sleek body styles make them unlike any other car on the track; they are in a league of their own when it comes to looks and speed. Acura, Cadillac, Mazda, and Nissan are some of the dominant manufacturers. The Cadillac DPI-V.R., Ligier LMP2, and the Mazda RT24-P make up just some of this mighty fleet. Prototypes obtain a top speed of 200 mph while generating 600 horsepower. Make sure to keep your eyes on them during race weekend, they won’t disappoint. Side Note: make sure you watch them come through the Esses, you can thank me later….
Within the GTLM and GTD classes, there is more variety. GT Le Mans features BMW, Corvette, Ford, Porsche, and Ferrari. The Ford GT, Ferrari 488 GTE, and the Corvette C7.R are just some of the cars you will see battling it out on track. The cars within the GT Le Mans class are known for speeds of 180 mph with roughly 525 horsepower. The GT Daytona class is made up of Lexus, Acura, Audi, Mercedes, Porsche, Lamborghini, and BMW. Featuring cars like the Audi R8 LMS GT3, Mercedes AMG-GT3, and the Lamborghini Huracán GT3. GT Daytona follows closely behind the GTLM class, reaching speeds of 175 mph with 500 horsepower. These cars, along with the GTLM class, all look similar to a sports car you would see on the street. However, these cars are powerful and will leave you on the edge of your seat for the whole six hours!
Another interesting aspect of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series is how they differentiate “Pro” from “Pro-Am”. This was designed by IMSA to help fans tell the difference between the caliber of drivers and classes. Prototypes and the GT Le Mans class make up the “Pro” series. These cars will all feature a professional driver lineup. The “Pro-Am” class is made up of the cars within the GT Daytona category. Pro-Am simply means that there is a professional driver paired up with an amateur driver. To differentiate the two, there is a color system put into place. All “Pro” series cars will feature red markings along the car, as well as the leader light illuminated in red. “Pro-Am” series cars are decorated the same way, but with the color green.
In addition to all the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen event on Sunday, the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge 240 will begin at 1:55 p.m. on Saturday, June 30. This race is truly a fan favorite. The event will now be four hours long versus the usual two hours, and with an increase in time comes and increase in the action! Similar to the WeatherTech series, the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge is split up into three classes, all varying in speed with minor modifications.
Adding to the action-packed weekend, there are two other series that will be battling it out on the track. On Friday, June 29, the GT3 Cup will battle it out in their first race of the weekend beginning at 1:45 p.m. with the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Series running at 4:10 p.m. Saturday, June 30, the GT3 Cup will return to the track for their second and final race of the weekend beginning at 9:20 a.m. The Lamborghini Super Trofeo series will also get their second race in with the green flag dropping at 10:25 a.m.
The GT3 Cup showcases the power of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car. Driver skill ranges from amateur to professional. Races run for 45 minutes and are sure to be packed with excitement. The Lamborghini Super Trofeo series showcases the performance of the Huracán Super Trofeo EVO. This series also features a “Pro”, “Pro-Am”, and “Am” classification system. They will race a pair of 50-minute races over the weekend.
So whether you are new to the scene, or a seasoned veteran at the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen, you will be treated to an amazing display of racing from some of the most premier sports cars in the world. So sit back, relax, and enjoy some elite racing (and a few $1 Sahlen’s hot dogs)!
Buy your tickets now for the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen weekend, June 28th - July 1st. General admission tickets for the weekend and Sunday are available for purchase at www.theglen.com or by phone at 1-866-461-RACE today.
If you would like to learn more about IMSA, check out their website at www.IMSA.com.
