McLaren Trophy America to be sanctioned by IMSA from 2027

The McLaren Trophy America one-make series will be sanctioned by IMSA from 2027 as part of a long-term deal. The series had been sanctioned by USAC as part of SRO Motorsports America since its inception in 2024.

Next year will mark the fourth season of McLaren Trophy America which, along with the original McLaren Trophy Europe, was conceived to convince McLaren's road car customers to go racing. Both series utilize the potent Artura Trophy Evo, a one-make racing car with significant aerodynamic, performance and handling upgrades from the outgoing McLaren Arturo GT4.

Along with the addition of a North American championship in 2024, that same year the series expanded to allow professional drivers to compete in a strategic move to help broaden the talent pool for McLaren Motorsport’s factory sports car racing programs.

This summer, selected drivers from both the European and American series will be invited to the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, England to take part in a driver assessment program, which could lead to successful candidates joining McLaren’s line of factory drivers. The initiative forms a key part of McLaren's commitment to the McLaren Trophy platform, as noted by Giorgio Sanna, the recently-appointed Head of Motorsport for McLaren Automotive.

“The prospect of racing on the IMSA package is a very exciting one for McLaren Trophy America,” said Sanna.

“IMSA, like McLaren, has a long and storied racing history. It is for that reason that we feel this is an exciting opportunity to work together, as we continue to develop and strengthen the McLaren Trophy package globally.”

“We are honored that McLaren has chosen to expand the partnership between our companies and selected IMSA as the sanctioning body for McLaren Trophy America beginning in 2027", said IMSA President John Doonan.

“We pride ourselves on delivering unparalleled value to our automotive partners and operating professional motorsports events at the highest level. By selecting IMSA to sanction McLaren Trophy America, McLaren is reinforcing the value we provide and trusting us with one of its prized possessions. We cannot wait to welcome McLaren Trophy America into the IMSA paddock beginning next year and for many years to come.”

IMSA already sanctions five one-make racing series: The North America series for Lamborghini Super Trofeo, Porsche Carrera Cup, Ferrari Challenge, Ford Mustang Challenge and the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup.

Further details, including the 2027 McLaren Trophy America calendar, will be revealed at a later date.