IMSA, the Daytona Beach, Florida-based sanctioning body, is expanding opportunities to compete in the new third-generation Le Mans Prototype 3 (LMP3) class in 2026.

The LMP3 class will continue within the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge and will also be open to compete in four additional endurance event weekends, according to IMSA officials.

Four two-hour endurance races sanctioned by IMSA will take place on the following United States Auto Club (USAC) event weekends in 2026:

• Sebring International Raceway, March 6-8
• Circuit of The Americas, May 7-9
• VIRginia International Raceway, June 19-21
• Road America, August 7-9

Third-generation LMP3 cars will be eligible to compete in IMSA LMP3 events starting in 2026. These third-generation cars will compete in the same class with the existing second-generation cars currently in use in the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, giving teams the option to continue with existing machinery for one more year or invest in the new generation car, according to series officials. All cars will run to their homologated performance levels with no adjustments.

IMSA continues to hold exclusive rights in North America for the use of Le Mans Prototype 3 (LMP3) race cars as part of its strategic alliance with the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO). In June, IMSA and the ACO announced an extension of its strategic alliance through at least the end of 2032.

The ACO introduced the third generation LMP3 cars in 2025 for its championships, with the four LMP3 chassis constructors–Ligier, Duqueine Engineering, Ginetta and Adess–having been kept on for the new homologation cycle. The new car runs a 3.5-liter twin-turbo Toyota V6 engine that is built and prepared by ORECA.

IMSA is also exploring the possibility that these endurance races will include a multi-class component with a production-based race car category.

The VP Racing SportsCar Challenge sprint races will continue to feature one FIA Bronze- or Silver-rated driver per LMP3 car, but the new-for-2026 endurance races will require two drivers, with a minimum of one rated either Bronze or Silver. A Gold-rated second driver is permitted but Platinum drivers are prohibited.

For more information, visit imsa.com.

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