Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe
Autosport Plus

Why GTE's future is a conundrum with no easy answers

The convergence between the World Endurance Championship and IMSA over LMDh regulations offers a bright future for sportscar racing, but the imminent demise of IMSA's GT Le Mans class creates wider issues to which no catch-all solution exists

Announced on Friday, IMSA's decision to replace the ailing GT Le Mans category with a new 'GTD Pro' class for GT3 cars came as no surprise. What was once a thriving arena for manufacturer competition is now down to a single full-time works entrant in the form of Corvette following the exits of Ford, Porsche and BMW (except for the Michelin Endurance Cup).

Yes, a third full-time car in the form of WeatherTech Racing's customer Porsche 911 RSR-19 was scrambled to at least prevent Corvette from merely having to race itself outside of the long-distance races, but the situation was clearly untenable. And IMSA deserves credit for taking a proactive approach instead of allowing GTLM to wither completely.

Previous article How Tandy joined an exclusive club of endurance legends
Next article Ferrari F1 tester Ilott set for GT programme in 2021

More from Jamie Klein

Yamamoto ‘never imagined’ scoring podium on injury comeback in Super Formula

Yamamoto ‘never imagined’ scoring podium on injury comeback in Super Formula

SF Super Formula
Suzuka
Yamamoto ‘never imagined’ scoring podium on injury comeback in Super Formula Yamamoto ‘never imagined’ scoring podium on injury comeback in Super Formula
Pourchaire “worried” for Super Formula prospects after nightmare debut

Pourchaire “worried” for Super Formula prospects after nightmare debut

SF Super Formula
Suzuka
Pourchaire “worried” for Super Formula prospects after nightmare debut Pourchaire “worried” for Super Formula prospects after nightmare debut
Super Formula Suzuka: Nojiri wins season-opener, Pourchaire 18th on debut

Super Formula Suzuka: Nojiri wins season-opener, Pourchaire 18th on debut

SF Super Formula
Suzuka
Super Formula Suzuka: Nojiri wins season-opener, Pourchaire 18th on debut Super Formula Suzuka: Nojiri wins season-opener, Pourchaire 18th on debut
The next F1 hopefuls striving to follow Lawson's footsteps in Japan

The next F1 hopefuls striving to follow Lawson's footsteps in Japan

SF Super Formula
The next F1 hopefuls striving to follow Lawson's footsteps in Japan The next F1 hopefuls striving to follow Lawson's footsteps in Japan
Red Bull junior Iwasa gets 2024 Mugen Super Formula seat

Red Bull junior Iwasa gets 2024 Mugen Super Formula seat

SF Super Formula
Red Bull junior Iwasa gets 2024 Mugen Super Formula seat Red Bull junior Iwasa gets 2024 Mugen Super Formula seat
Hauger: No bitterness despite early Red Bull call to drop me

Hauger: No bitterness despite early Red Bull call to drop me

F2 FIA F2
Hauger: No bitterness despite early Red Bull call to drop me Hauger: No bitterness despite early Red Bull call to drop me
F3 rookie Dunne: ‘Nobody will remember’ speed before Macau crash

F3 rookie Dunne: ‘Nobody will remember’ speed before Macau crash

MISC General
F3 rookie Dunne: ‘Nobody will remember’ speed before Macau crash F3 rookie Dunne: ‘Nobody will remember’ speed before Macau crash
How Cassidy emerged triumphant from "mayhem" in Portland FE slow-burner

How Cassidy emerged triumphant from "mayhem" in Portland FE slow-burner

Plus
Plus
FE Formula E
Portland
How Cassidy emerged triumphant from "mayhem" in Portland FE slow-burner How Cassidy emerged triumphant from "mayhem" in Portland FE slow-burner

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe