IMSA alerts entrants as field nears capacity

IMSA is encouraging its current and potential entrants for the 2019 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship to file their entries immediately as concerns of pit lane or paddock space at select rounds has come into play.

With something in the range of 37 or 38 full-time entries currently expected across its DPi, LMP2, GT Le Mans, and GT Daytona classes, the series could reach its limits of accommodation if the overall number moves beyond something in the 40-42 range at some of the smaller facilities on the calendar.

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IMSA went through a similar call-to-action process in 2014 when the American Le Mans Series and Grand-Am Rolex Series merged into what’s become the WeatherTech Championship. Facing decent growth in its DPi category with new Cadillac DPi-V.R entrants and a healthy spike in GT Daytona participation, being at risk of oversubscription is “a good problem to have,” according to said IMSA competition VP Vice President Simon Hodgson.

“While we are not yet in a situation where restrictions are needed, we believe it is important that our constituents be made aware of this situation and understand the criteria we will use if it becomes necessary,” he said.

“And the fact that there is a need for us to discuss these contingency plans is a testament to the attractiveness of our WeatherTech Championship platform. Our 50th anniversary season is now confirmed to have one of the largest and highest quality fields of full-season competitors in IMSA’s history.”