IMSA Forgoes Proposed GTD Bronze Driver Mandate

Photo: Rick Dole/IMSA

IMSA will award the Bob Akin Bronze Cup championship to GTD class competitors in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship next year, electing to forgo a change to the class structure as initially proposed.

Announced during Friday’s annual ‘State of the Series’ address at Road America, the sanctioning body has confirmed that it will recognize driver lineups featuring at least one Bronze-rated driver in the GTD category.

It will include top Bronze drivers in GTD being on the post-race podium at each race, with the Bob Akin Bronze Cup season champion receiving an entry to the following year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Additionally, there will be 30 minutes of dedicated track time at all events for Bronze-rated drivers.

IMSA is evaluating “additional incentives” for Bronze drivers regarding qualifying format and drive-time.

GTD will remain open to teams utilizing a ‘professional’ Platinum or Gold driver paired with a Silver, in a change from IMSA’s initial proposal to mandate a Bronze-rated driver in all GTD lineups.

This plan was confirmed by multiple sources who were informed directly by senior-level executives from the sanctioning body but is understood to have been revised earlier this week based on competitor feedback.

More to come…

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By: John Dagys
Title: IMSA Forgoes Proposed GTD Bronze Driver Mandate
Sourced From: sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/imsa-to-forgo-bronze-driver-gtd-mandate-in-2023/
Published Date: Fri, 05 Aug 2022 23:06:13 +0000