CTSCC: Details emerge on changes to 2016 rules

On the heels of a Mission Statement issued earlier this month to outline the future direction of the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, IMSA officials today unveiled substantial efforts to reduce operating expenses for competitors in addition to a comprehensive list of existing and new car models conditionally approved for 2016 competition.

Among cost-control initiatives for the 2016 season is the introduction of series-approved onboard air jack kits (non-mandatory) for all Continental Tire Challenge racecars. To reduce costs further in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, IMSA will change the Sporting Regulations to reflect a maximum of three crew members over the wall during pit stops, (down from four in 2015).IMSA will allow tires to be placed on the “cold” side of the pit wall or positioned on tire stands prior to the car coming to a stop in its pit box as the three “over the wall” crew members will be prohibited from receiving any “behind the wall assistance” once the car is stopped in the pit box. The three are the only personnel allowed to touch the tires. The maximum of two “wheel guns” will remain in effect.The 2016 IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge will continue to feature and approve Grand Sport (GS) cars built to current IMSA specifications. IMSA will closely monitor the growth and development of the GT4 category internationally. GT4 cars that meet certain IMSA criteria may be considered on an individual basis for future selection. The popular Street Tuner (ST) category continues to see an influx of evolving road car technology while maintaining a consistent performance balance across a large spectrum of eligible makes and models. IMSA officials also clarified and provided a comprehensive list of new car models eligible and those conditionally approved for Competition in the 2016 Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge (see below).Cars Currently Approved for Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge CompetitionGrand Sport (GS)                                            Street Tuner (ST)Aston Martin Vantage                                     Audi S3 2015BMW M3 E92 coupe                                         BMW 128i (3.0)Chevrolet Camaro                                          BMW 328i (E90) sedanChevrolet Camaro Z/28.R                               BMW 328i (F30) sedanFord Mustang FR500C (5.0) 2009-                    Honda Civic Si coupe and sedan JDM 2011-Ford Mustang Boss 302R GT                             Honda Civic Si (2.0) USDM 2011-Ford Shelby GT350R-C                                    Honda Civic Si 2.4LNissan 370Z (3.7)                                           Hyundai GenesisPorsche 997 Carrera S (3.8) Direct Injection     Mazdaspeed 3Subaru WRX STi                                              Mazda MX-5 Miata                                                                     MINI Cooper JCW 2015-                                                                     Nissan Altima V6                                                                     Porsche Boxster 2.9L 987                                                                     Porsche Cayman 2.9L 987New Cars Conditionally Approved for CompetitionGrand Sport (GS)                                            Street Tuner (ST)Alfa Romeo Giulia                                          Alfa Romeo 4C                                     Audi RS5                                                        Audi A4 2.0Audi TTRS                                                      Audi TTSBMW M4                                                         Buick Regal 2.0LChevrolet Camaro SS 2016-                             Cadillac ATS Sedan 2.0LCadillac ATS-V Coupe                                     Ford Focus STDodge Challenger                                           Hyundai Veloster TurboLexus RC-F                                                    Kia Optima SXLotus Evora 400                                             Kia Forte Koup TurboPorsche Cayman GT4 racecar                          Lexus IS350                                                                    Mitsubishi Lancer Raliart                                                                    Mercedes-Benz CLA250                                                                    Subaru WRX                                                                    Volkswagen GTI 2014-                                                                    Volkswagen Golf R 2015-                                                                    Volkswagen Beetle R-Line                                                                    Volkswagen Jetta GLI                                                   Next up for the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge will be Round 9 of the 10-race season at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas on Friday, Sept. 18. The race will be streamed live on IMSA.tv and the IMSA mobile app and will be televised on FOX Sports 1 at 1:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 27.