3/14/2025
Extension Further Solidifies the Platform for Competing Manufacturers and Teams
SEBRING, Fla. – A good thing just got better, as the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) and WSC Group today announced an extension of the partnership that will see the Touring Car (TCR) class remain a part of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge through the 2028 season.
In October 2023, IMSA and WSC Group – which owns the TCR trademark and technical regulations – announced that the partnership had been extended through 2026. The updated agreement adds two more years to the alliance.
“The continuation of this relationship is incredibly important for IMSA,” IMSA President John Doonan said. “What WSC has done globally with the participating manufacturers and their consistent involvement aligns with what IMSA is about. We’re pleased to extend the agreement for two more years so that manufacturers and teams know there remains a stable platform ahead for them to compete.”
The TCR class features front-wheel drive race cars based on four- or five-door production vehicles powered by 1.75- to 2-liter turbocharged engines that are fully homologated by WSC. It has been part of the Michelin Pilot Challenge dating back to the 2018 season. Four manufacturers – Audi, CUPRA, Honda and Hyundai – compete this year in the Michelin Pilot Challenge TCR class, though the WSC has homologated TCR cars from 16 manufacturers to compete in series around the world.
“IMSA is the most important motorsports association in North America,” said Marcello Lotti, WSC Group president (pictured above with Doonan). “For us at WSC, it’s really important that the Touring Car category that IMSA chose was the TCR category. IMSA does a remarkable job to promote the TCR concept in North America, and all of our manufacturers are very happy about this relationship. We look forward to working together for years to come.”
Doonan added that the agreement extension will continue to benefit participating manufacturers with increased brand exposure, not to mention developing sports car racing fans of the future.
“These are all global manufacturers and the North American market is incredibly important from a sales standpoint for road cars for these brands,” Doonan said. “We have a very strong variety of manufacturers in IMSA, and the racing we’re seeing is just incredible.
“What we do together, IMSA and WSC Group, keeps this segment of cars alive,” he added. “This segment I think can attract the next generation of fan, the younger audience. The TCR cars are affordable and they can drive them on the street, just like the race cars.”
Round 2 of the 2025 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, the Alan Jay Automotive Network 120, takes place this afternoon at Sebring International Raceway. The two-hour race begins at 2:15 p.m. ET and streams live on Peacock and globally on the official IMSA YouTube channel.
