The top category will be called GTP from 2023

The new era ofEndurance brings its share of changes. Among these, the name of the upper category of theIMSA. With the DPi prototypes bowing out at the end of this season to make way for the LMDh from the 24 Hours of Daytona 2023, keeping the same name for this class no longer made sense.

The convergence with the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) also allowing LMHs to compete in the general classification of the North American championship, a name remembering a previous "golden era" of Endurance was chosen: GTP, for Grand Touring Prototype.

Thus, the IMSA GTP already existed from 1981 to 1993, to present the innovative prototypes of the time. This new GTP class will also aim to highlight new technologies, such as the single-specification hybrid propulsion system which will be used by all future LMDh cars. 

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“If you were a racing fan in the 1980s and early 90s like me, you probably have fond memories of these epic IMSA GTP race cars, drivers and teams, declared IMSA President John Doohan, who took advantage of a press conference at the International Speedway to unveil this new name. We are approaching an incredible new era of competition, with a real opportunity to eclipse the previous success of this category. There is so much for Endurance racing fans everywhere to look forward to in the years to come, with top of the list being the introduction of the new GTP class here at Daytona in 2023.” 

With this new name, obviously comes a new logo that you can discover in the video below and which will be displayed on all GTP cars in 2023. In the meantime, the 2022 IMSA season begins this Saturday, January 29 with the 60th edition of the 24 Hours of Daytona.

💥IMSA 𝙏𝙊𝙋 𝘾𝙇𝘼𝙎𝙎 to Be Named 𝗚𝗧𝗣 in 2023💥

Read more: https://t.co/llBQFI5ekH#IMSA pic.twitter.com/ccVAEna42g

— IMSA (@IMSA) January 27, 2022