IMSA’s Journey to Redefining Sustainable American Motorsports
As the sun rises over the iconic high banks of Daytona International Speedway, a new sound of hybrid race cars can be heard. The 2024 IMSA Weather Tech SportsCar Championship marks a watershed moment in American motorsports, with the introduction of the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class, heralding a transformation of how racing and competition integrate sustainability.
At the heart of IMSA’s sustainability push is the GTP class, featuring hybrid-powered prototypes from titans such as Acura, BMW, Cadillac, and Porsche. These machines showcase the cutting-edge of green technology, signalling all the possibilities the future holds.
Each GTP car uses a single-source hybrid powertrain, developed in collaboration with the Automobile Club de ‘Ouest and top-tier suppliers like Bosch, Williams Advanced Engineering, and Xtrac. This electrified system is paired with internal combustion engines running on a VP Racing Fuels blend that currently boasts 60% sustainable content, with a roadmap to 100% renewable fuels in the coming seasons. This dramatically reduces the greenhouse gas emissions, setting a precedent for what’s possible in North American racing.
“With nine of the most technologically advanced and sustainable race cars in North America hitting the track, the market has spoken loudly,” said IMSA President John Doonan. “IMSA’s cost-effective, entertainment-driven platform is resonating with the automotive industry as a vital marketing tool.”
Beyond the IMSA chassis, the series’ official tire supplier, Michelin, is also leading a parallel revolution in tire technology. For the 2024 season, Michelin’s Hypercar and GTP tires already contain over 25% sustainable materials, with the latest wet-weather compounds reaching an impressive 45%. By 2025, Michelin aims for its race tires to surpass 50% sustainable content, utilising recycled materials, reclaimed carbon black, and even innovative materials like rice and orange peels.
“We could produce a tire with 100% sustainable materials, we know how to do it,” explained Pierre Alves, Michelin’s sportscar operations manager. “The big problem is producing these in industrial quantities. WE can make one tire fully sustainable–that’s easy–but we need to make thousands for the WEC and IMSA.”
To further reduce waste, new IMSA regulations require teams to double-stint tires, slashing the number of sets used per race and lessening the environmental footprint.
IMSA’s leadership in sustainability isn't new. For over 15 years, the series has partnered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Energy (DOE), and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International. This collaboration has yielded “Green Racing” protocols and the use of renewable fuels such as cellulosic E85 and zero-sulfur diesel, making IMSA a recognized pioneer in sustainable motorsport.
“Our strength has been our ability to understand what is important to our partners and develop a platform that enables them to meet their objectives,” said Doonan. “The number one objective for most—if not all—of them is sustainability, and we will work together to expand our leadership position in this critical area.”
IMSA’s transformation is already attracting more manufacturers and partners who see the series as both a testing ground and showcase for green innovation. With every lap, these hybrid prototypes and sustainable tires aren’t just racing for trophies—they’re racing toward a future where motorsports and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.
As the engines fire up at Daytona and beyond, IMSA is proving that the thrill of racing and the imperative of sustainability can share the same track—setting the pace for American motorsports, and perhaps the world, to follow.
