ANALYSIS: Class consolidation for 2018?

Is IMSA contemplating a move where one of its WeatherTech SportsCar Championship classes could shift to the Continental Tire Series?

Multiple stakeholders have told RACER that IMSA is not only considering replacing the ageing ORECA FLM09-Chevys in its WeatherTech Championship PC class with LMP3 cars at the end of 2017, but it's also evaluating shifting PC from a bottom-tier class in its premier series to become the top class in its developmental Continental Tire Series.

The simplified WeatherTech Class structure would be left with three classes: the all-pro Prototype, GT Le Mans, and popular Pro-Am category GT Daytona as its core package. IMSA has been forced to drop some classes from certain events due to paddock or pit lane size constraints, and with fewer classes and a modest reduction in car counts, the WeatherTech Championship would be able to guarantee consistent lineups at almost every event.

"Does [LMP3] become the odds-on favorite to become the next PC car? Could be," Atherton told RACER. "The desire we have, as we also alluded to in the memo, is to raise the profile of our premier categories. Simplification, making it an easier product for the casual observer to consume ... all of this weighs into the decision-making process to determine what makes the most sense."

Asked if the series would have any concerns pairing its developmental series for future GTD and GTLM drivers with a much faster LMP3 (PC) category where tomorrow's Prototype drivers are groomed, Bennett says the speed differentials would not be a first if PCs mingled with production-based Continental Tire Series GS and ST cars.

"I think that would be part of the analysis; to understand the differences. Over the years we've seen some pretty significant gaps front to back. In the ALMS days, P1 to GTC ... pretty big gap. LMP1, even to GTE-AM, [there's] a pretty big gap."

"It's an absolutely important consideration," Atherton added. "We believe there's a good track record of being able to manage that. While it would not be dismissed out of hand, we've got some really smart people that could manage that to a degree of acceptability."

By moving PC to lead the Continental Tire Series, IMSA would also add an element of speed and curiosity that has been missing from those races. The ST and GS cars produce some of the best racing on any IMSA weekend, but with its status as a warm-up act to the WeatherTech Championship, its quality as a standalone show has rarely appealed to a wider base of fans. In theory, the inclusion of a prototype class would give Continental races something closer to the headliner's offerings.

Some PC owners have lobbied for IMSA to use the 2017 P2 formula as a basis to build a lower-cost, spec version for use in PC. Bennett confirmed that IMSA has investigated this option, but says there isn't enough savings to carve from the new budget-minded 2017 WEC P2 formula to achieve the desired result. It places LMP3 in pole position for 2018.

Atherton and Bennet also spoke at length about IMSA's practice of engaging its paddock to provide feedback and direction on its future strategies, and went into detail about options to resuscitate the struggle GS class. Check back early next week for the continuation of the discussion on RACER.com.