Apex Pursuit
Delve into the high-octane world of the 2016 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, a season defined by intense competition and strategic prowess.
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Season Overview
The Championship Unfolds
The 2016 IMSA SportsCar Championship, officially known for sponsorship reasons as the 2016 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, marked a significant year in North American endurance racing. This was the third season operating under the United SportsCar Championship banner, and notably, the inaugural season to officially bear the "IMSA SportsCar Championship" designation.
A Rich Heritage
Organized by the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), the 2016 season represented the 46th iteration of IMSA-sanctioned GT Championship sportscar racing. Its lineage traces back to the foundational 1971 IMSA Camel GT season, underscoring a deep-rooted tradition in competitive motorsport.
Key Dates
The championship commenced on January 30 with the iconic 24 Hours of Daytona, a grueling endurance test that traditionally kicks off the season. The intense competition culminated on October 1 at the challenging Petit Le Mans, bringing the season to a dramatic close.
Racing Classes
Prototype (P)
This premier class featured two distinct types of high-performance machines: Daytona Prototypes (DP) and Le Mans Prototypes 2 (LMP2). These purpose-built racing cars represent the pinnacle of sportscar technology, designed for maximum speed and endurance.
Prototype Challenge (PC)
The Prototype Challenge class utilized a spec chassis, the Oreca FLM09, powered by a Chevrolet LS3 6.2 L V8 engine. This class emphasized driver skill and team execution, as all competitors raced with identical machinery, ensuring a level playing field.
GT Le Mans (GTLM)
The GTLM class showcased production-based grand touring cars, heavily modified for racing. These vehicles, often derived from high-end sports cars, competed with a focus on manufacturer prestige and advanced engineering, adhering to LM GTE regulations.
GT Daytona (GTD)
A significant evolution for 2016, the GTD class transitioned to full GT3 specification machinery. This change brought a wider array of international GT3 cars to the championship, fostering diverse competition among various automotive brands.
Season Schedule
The 2016 Race Calendar
The 2016 IMSA SportsCar Championship comprised twelve rounds, with the schedule officially released on August 8, 2015. The season also included two crucial pre-season test sessions: one held on November 17–18, 2015, at Daytona International Speedway, and "The Roar Before the 24" from January 8–10, 2016, also at Daytona.
Races highlighted in green were part of the prestigious North American Endurance Cup.
Calendar Adjustments
Several notable changes were implemented for the 2016 calendar to optimize class participation and race formats:
- The Prototype Challenge (PC) class was added to the lineup at Long Beach.
- The GT Daytona (GTD) class was integrated into the Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix at Mosport, resulting in all four classes competing in that event.
- The round at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca reverted to a split race format, a decision driven by the substantial field size.
- The GT Le Mans (GTLM) class joined the PC and GTD classes at Lime Rock Park, expanding the competition at that venue.
Team Entries
Prototype Class Entries
The Prototype class featured a diverse array of chassis and engine combinations, with top teams vying for overall victory. Key entries included the DeltaWing DWC13, Ligier JS P2, Coyote Corvette DP, Riley Mk XXVI DP, BR Engineering BR01, and Oreca 05.
Prototype Challenge Entries
All Prototype Challenge entries utilized a standardized Oreca FLM09 chassis, powered by a Chevrolet LS3 6.2 L V8 engine, ensuring close competition.
GT Le Mans Entries
The GT Le Mans class featured highly competitive factory-backed teams and their purpose-built GT cars, including Chevrolet Corvette C7.R, BMW M6 GTLM, Ferrari 488 GTE, and Porsche 911 RSR.
GT Daytona Entries
The GT Daytona class saw a transition to full GT3 specification, attracting a wide range of manufacturers including Audi, Lamborghini, Porsche, Dodge, and Aston Martin.
Team Developments
Beyond the roster of teams and drivers, the 2016 season saw specific technical adjustments. Notably, Corvette Racing officially transitioned its fuel blend to E20 Ethanol (a 20% blend) from the higher E85 Ethanol blend they had utilized for the preceding eight years. This change, announced on October 13, 2015, reflected ongoing efforts to optimize performance and comply with evolving regulations within the championship.
Race Results
Winning Performances
The 2016 IMSA SportsCar Championship delivered thrilling races across its various classes. The table below summarizes the winning teams and drivers for each category at every round. Overall winners are indicated in bold.
Championship Points
Scoring Mechanics
Championship points were meticulously awarded in each class based on finishing positions. The standard points distribution for races was: 35 points for 1st place, 32 for 2nd, 30 for 3rd, and progressively fewer points down to 1 point for 30th position. Drivers were required to complete a minimum driving time to be eligible for points. Additionally, each driver nominated in a car credited with a race start received one extra "starting point." Team points mirrored driver points, with each car considered an independent "team." Manufacturer points were awarded to the highest-finishing car from each manufacturer in a given class, excluding subsequent cars from the same manufacturer, which allowed other manufacturers to move up in the points order.
North American Endurance Cup
The North American Endurance Cup (NAEC) featured a distinct points system, emphasizing performance at key endurance events. Points were awarded on a 5-4-3-2 basis: 5 points for 1st, 4 for 2nd, 3 for 3rd, and 2 points for 4th and all subsequent classified positions. These points were distributed at specific intervals within the longer races:
- Daytona (24 hours): Points awarded at 6 hours, 12 hours, 18 hours, and at the finish.
- Sebring (12 hours): Points awarded at 4 hours, 8 hours, and at the finish.
- Watkins Glen (6 hours): Points awarded at 3 hours and at the finish.
- Road Atlanta (10 hours): Points awarded at 4 hours, 8 hours, and at the finish.
Similar to the season-long championship, NAEC team points were awarded per car, and drivers earned points for any car they drove and were entered for. Manufacturer points followed the same rule, going to the highest-placed car from that manufacturer in each segment.
Driver Standings
The driver championships were fiercely contested across all classes, rewarding consistency and top-tier performance throughout the season. The tables below present the final standings for each category.
Team Standings
The team championships recognized the collective effort of each car entry, with points awarded based on their performance throughout the season. Each car was treated as an individual "team" for scoring purposes.
Manufacturer Standings
Manufacturer championships were awarded based on the performance of each brand's highest-finishing car in specific classes, reflecting the overall strength and competitiveness of their engineering and development.
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Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional motorsport analysis, engineering, or strategic consultation. Always refer to official IMSA documentation and consult with qualified professionals for specific racing or technical needs. Never disregard professional advice because of something you have read on this website.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.