{{short description|Car racing competition held in Canada and the USA}} {{Infobox motorsport championship | logo = IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge logo.svg | category = Grand touring<br />Touring car | country/region = {{flag|United States}}<br />{{flag|Canada}} | inaugural = 1997 | champion driver = '''GS''': {{flagicon|USA}} Vincent Barletta<br />'''GS''': {{flagicon|USA}} Robby Foley<br />'''TCR''': {{flagicon|USA}} Harry Gottsacker<br />'''TCR''': {{flagicon|CAN}} Robert Wickens | champion team = '''GS''': {{flagicon|USA}} #96 Turner Motorsport<br />'''TCR''': {{flagicon|USA}} #33 Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb-Agajanian | manufacturer = '''GS''': {{flagicon|DEU}} Mercedes-AMG<br />'''TCR''': {{flagicon|KOR}} Hyundai | website = [https://michelinpilotchallenge.imsa.com/ michelinpilotchallenge.imsa.com] | current_season = {{CURRENTYEAR}} Michelin Pilot Challenge }} [[File:KONI Challenge New Jersey.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Competitors in the KONI Challenge on a pre-grid at New Jersey Motorsports Park in 2008]]
The '''Michelin Pilot Challenge''' is a grand touring and touring car racing series run by the International Motor Sports Association. Originating from the Canadian '''Motorola Cup''', the series was taken over by Grand-Am in 2001 to become the '''Grand-Am Cup''' following the demise of rival IMSA's Firehawk series of similar rules in the US. KONI became series sponsor for the start of the 2007 season when the series became known as the '''KONI Challenge Series''', before renaming once more prior to the start of the 2009 season as the '''KONI Sports Car Challenge'''. The series name was once again changed for the 2010 season to '''Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge'''. In 2019, the series rebranded again after Michelin was selected to become the new official tire supplier of the series and thus simplified their branding name by removing '''''Sports Car''''' term.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/ctscc/michelin-pilot-challenge-launched-two-class-format-for-2019/|title=Michelin Pilot Challenge Revealed; Two Classes in 2019 – Sportscar365|access-date=2018-10-14|language=en-US}}</ref>
The Continental Challenge was the support series for Grand-Am's premier offering, the Rolex Sports Car Series. In 2014, the series became the support series for the United SportsCar Championship (now known as the IMSA SportsCar Championship) upon the merger of the Rolex Series and the American Le Mans Series.
==Races== In traditional sports car racing format, the races are often run with both Grand Sport (GT4) and TCR classes on track simultaneously, which is known as a "combined" race. Occasionally the races will be run in "split classes", with separate races for both classes. This is especially common for shorter venues such as Lime Rock Park. Currently the races are 2 hours in length with a required driver change.
==Telecasts== *Until 2013, broadcasts were to Fox Sports 1, formerly Speed Channel. All telecasts are uploaded to the series website after their initial airing. *From 2019 season, NBC Sports telecast Delayed-Race and IMSA TV has telecast live via Peacock. *In some countries, NASCAR Holdings (which owns IMSA) feature the Michelin Pilot Challenge is included in NASCAR's media rights deals in Mexico and Brazil that includes NASCAR's three national series, IMSA's two major series, and American Flat Track, all of which have broadcasts produced by NASCAR. *IMSA TV, which is controlled by NASCAR Productions, has international rights in selected countries.
==Vehicles== The series uses two classes in each race. Originally, these were:
*The Grand Sport (GS) class features large-displacement 6-cylinder, 8-cylinder, 10-cylinder or 12-cylinder sports cars as well as small displacement 4-cylinder forced induction sports cars. *The Street Tuner (ST) class is for smaller 4-cylinder, 5-cylinder or 6-cylinder sedans, hatchbacks, coupes or convertibles.
From 2017, IMSA allowed cars built by "mainstream automotive manufacturers" to SRO GT4 regulations to compete, with a complete phase out of the original Grand-Am GS class the next year. Also in 2018, IMSA introduced TCR Touring Cars as a third class, with the intention of it replacing the Street Tuners as the second class, which happened the following year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imsa.com/news/082016/imsa-finalizes-racing-platform-innovations |title=IMSA Finalizes Racing Platform Innovations {{!}} IMSA |website=www.imsa.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818174737/http://www.imsa.com/news/082016/imsa-finalizes-racing-platform-innovations |archive-date=2016-08-18}} </ref>
The original format was reminiscent of the original Trans-Am Series, combining conventional sports cars and touring cars, though the Trans-Am Series usually had a single driver per car, unlike the Continental Challenge, which has two drivers per car. Some vehicles in the Continental Challenge have actually been wrapped to resemble the original Trans Am cars, such as the Boss 302 Mustangs of George Follmer and Parnelli Jones or the original Sunoco Camaro. As the Pilot Challenge consists of longer races (2-4 hours), the cars are also eligible for the United States Auto Club's Pirelli World Challenge GT4 or TCR classes, which are one-hour races.
==Champions== {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Season ! GS Champion ! Car ! ST / TCR Champion ! Car |- ! 2004<ref>{{cite web |title=2004 Grand-Am Cup Series Driver Point Standings |url=http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/uploads/2004_CSTCC_DriverPoints.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305080638/http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/uploads/2004_CSTCC_DriverPoints.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-05 |access-date=2016-01-05}}</ref> | {{flagicon|USA}} Craig Stanton<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Terry Borcheller | Cadillac CTS-V | {{flagicon|USA}} David Haskell<br />{{flagicon|CAN}} Sylvain Tremblay | Mazda RX-8 |- ! 2005<ref>{{cite web |title=2005 Grand-Am Cup Series Driver Point Standings |url=http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/uploads/2005_CTSCC_DriverPoints.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306020732/http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/uploads/2005_CTSCC_DriverPoints.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-06 |access-date=2016-01-05}}</ref> | {{flagicon|CAN}} David Empringham<br />{{flagicon|CAN}} Scott Maxwell | Ford Mustang | {{flagicon|USA}} David Haskell<br />{{flagicon|CAN}} Sylvain Tremblay | Mazda RX-8 (2) |- ! 2006<ref>{{cite web |title=2006 Grand-Am Cup Series Driver Point Standings |url=http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/uploads/2006_CTSCC_DriverPoints.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304221512/http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/uploads/2006_CTSCC_DriverPoints.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-04 |access-date=2016-01-05}}</ref> | {{flagicon|SWE}} Anders Hainer<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Boris Said | BMW M3 | {{flagicon|USA}} Don Salama<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Will Turner | BMW 330i |- ! 2007<ref>{{cite web |title=2007 KONI Challenge Series Driver Point Standings |url=http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/uploads/2007_Koni_DriverPoints.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306081840/http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/uploads/2007_Koni_DriverPoints.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-06 |access-date=2016-01-05}}</ref> | {{flagicon|USA}} Jeff Segal<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Jep Thornton | BMW M3 (2) | {{flagicon|USA}} Trevor Hopwood<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Adam Burrows | BMW 330i (2) |- ! 2008<ref>{{cite web |title=2008 KONI Challenge Series Driver Point Standings |url=http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/uploads/2008_Koni_DriverPoints.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916103708/http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/uploads/2008_Koni_DriverPoints.pdf |archive-date=2014-09-16 |access-date=2014-03-24}}</ref> | {{flagicon|USA}} Joe Foster<br />{{flagicon|CAN}} Scott Maxwell | Ford Mustang (2) | {{flagicon|CAN}} Jamie Holtom | Chevrolet Cobalt SS |- ! 2009<ref>{{cite web |title=2009 KONI Challenge Series Driver Point Standings |url=http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/uploads/2009_Koni_DriverPoints.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305204502/http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/uploads/2009_Koni_DriverPoints.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-05 |access-date=2016-01-05}}</ref> | {{flagicon|CAN}} Kenny Wilden | Ford Mustang (3) | {{flagicon|USA}} Chris Miller | Honda Civic Si |- ! 2010<ref>{{cite web |title=2010 CTSCC Driver Point Standings |url=http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/uploads/2010_CTSCC_DriverPoints.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916103742/http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/uploads/2010_CTSCC_DriverPoints.pdf |archive-date=2014-09-16 |access-date=2014-03-24}}</ref> | {{flagicon|USA}} Charles Espenlaub<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Charlie Putman | BMW M3 (3) | {{flagicon|USA}} David Thilenius<ref group="N" name="BimmerWorld">The Bimmerworld 328i of Bill Heumann and Seth Thomas and the Compass360 Civic of Thilenius and Aschenbach finished the 2010 season tied in ST points. As both teams had the same number of wins and second-place finishes, Thilenius and Aschenbach won the title by virtue of having more third-place finishes.</ref><br />{{flagicon|USA}} Lawson Aschenbach<ref group="N" name="BimmerWorld"/> | Honda Civic Si (2) |- ! 2011<ref>{{cite web |title=2011 CTSCC Driver Point Standings |url=http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/uploads/2011_CTSCC_DriverPoints.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916103633/http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/uploads/2011_CTSCC_DriverPoints.pdf |archive-date=2014-09-16 |access-date=2016-01-05}}</ref> | {{flagicon|CAN}} Paul Dalla Lana | BMW M3 (4) | {{flagicon|SWE}} Niclas Jönsson | Kia Forte Koup |- ! 2012<ref>{{cite web |title=2012 CTSCC Driver Point Standings |url=http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/uploads/2012_CTSCC_DriverStandings.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305075107/http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/uploads/2012_CTSCC_DriverStandings.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-05 |access-date=2015-07-28}}</ref> | {{flagicon|CAN}} John Farano<ref group="N" name="Plumb">Matt Plumb was victorious in the final race and was the presumed champion, but upon official review he was determined to have been illegally entered in multiple cars, and thus received no points, handing the championship to Farano and Empringham.</ref><br />{{flagicon|CAN}} David Empringham<ref group="N" name="Plumb"/> | Porsche 997 | {{flagicon|BRA}} Pierre Kleinubing <br />{{flagicon|CAN}} Jason Clunie | Mazdaspeed3 (3) |- ! 2013<ref>{{cite web |title=2013 CTSCC Driver Point Standings |url=http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/uploads/2013_CTSCC_DriverStandings.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305204441/http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/uploads/2013_CTSCC_DriverStandings.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-05 |access-date=2015-07-28}}</ref> | {{flagicon|USA}} Nick Longhi<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Matt Plumb | Porsche 997 (2) | {{flagicon|USA}} Terry Borcheller<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Mike LaMarra | BMW 128i (3) |- ! 2014<ref>{{cite web |title=2014 Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge Official Points |url=http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/race_result_files/2014%20Continental%20Tire%20SportsCar%20Challenge%20Official%20Points.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150410065432/http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/race_result_files/2014%20Continental%20Tire%20SportsCar%20Challenge%20Official%20Points.pdf |archive-date=2015-04-10 |access-date=2015-07-28}}</ref> | {{flagicon|USA}} Trent Hindman | BMW M3 Coupe (5) | {{flagicon|USA}} Eric Foss | BMW 328i (4)<br /> Porsche Cayman |- ! 2015<ref>{{cite web |title=2015 Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge Official Points |url=http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/race_result_files/2015%20Continental%20Tire%20SportsCar%20Challenge%20Points%20Standings%20-%20Official.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415060427/http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/race_result_files/2015%20Continental%20Tire%20SportsCar%20Challenge%20Points%20Standings%20-%20Official.pdf |archive-date=2016-04-15 |access-date=2016-01-05}}</ref> | {{flagicon|USA}} Andrew Davis<br />{{flagicon|UK}} Robin Liddell | Chevrolet Camaro | {{flagicon|UK}} Stevan McAleer<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Chad McCumbee | Mazda MX-5 (4) |- ! 2016<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sportscarchallenge.imsa.com/standings/driver|title=Michelin Pilot Challenge: Home}}</ref> | {{flagicon|USA}} Billy Johnson<br />{{flagicon|CAN}} Scott Maxwell | Ford Mustang GT350R-C (4) | {{flagicon|USA}} Nick Galante<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Spencer Pumpelly | Porsche Cayman (2) |- ! 2017<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sportscarchallenge.imsa.com/standings/driver|title = Michelin Pilot Challenge: Home}}</ref> | {{flagicon|USA}} Dillon Machavern<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Dylan Murcott | Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR (3) | {{flagicon|USA}} Eric Foss | Porsche Cayman (3) |- ! 2018<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sportscarchallenge.imsa.com/standings/driver|title = Michelin Pilot Challenge: Home}}</ref> | {{flagicon|USA}} Hugh Plumb<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Owen Trinkler | Mercedes-AMG GT4 | {{flagicon|USA}} ST: Devin Jones<br />{{flagicon|CAN}} ST: Nick Galante<br />{{flagicon|USA}} TCR: Britt Casey Jr.<br />{{flagicon|USA}} TCR: Tom Long | ST: BMW 328i (5) <br /> TCR: Audi RS 3 LMS |- ! 2019 | {{flagicon|USA}} Tyler McQuarrie<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Jeff Westphal | Audi R8 LMS GT4 | {{flagicon|USA}} Michael Lewis<br />{{flagicon|CAN}} Mark Wilkins | Hyundai Veloster N TCR |- ! 2020 | {{flagicon|CAN}} Kyle Marcelli<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Nate Stacy | Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 | {{flagicon|COL}} Gabby Chaves<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Ryan Norman | Hyundai Veloster N TCR (2) |- !2021 |{{flagicon|Belgium}} Jan Heylen |Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport (4) |{{flagicon|USA}} Michael Lewis<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Taylor Hagler |Hyundai Veloster N TCR (3) |- !2022 |{{flagicon|USA}} Alan Brynjolfsson<br>{{flagicon|USA}} Trent Hindman |Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 (2) |{{flagicon|USA}} Taylor Hagler (2)<br>{{flagicon|USA}} Michael Lewis (2) |Hyundai Elantra N TCR (4) |- !2023 |{{flagicon|USA}} Vincent Barletta<br>{{flagicon|USA}} Robby Foley |BMW M4 GT4 Gen II (6) |{{flagicon|USA}} Harry Gottsacker<br>{{flagicon|CAN}} Robert Wickens |Hyundai Elantra N TCR (5) |- !2024<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michelin Pilot Challenge: Home |url=https://www.imsa.com/michelinpilotchallenge/ |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=IMSA |language=en-US}}</ref> |{{flagicon|USA}} Matt Plumb |Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 (3) |{{flagicon|USA}} Chris Miller<br />{{Flag icon|South Africa}} Mikey Taylor |Audi RS 3 LMS TCR (2) |- !2025<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michelin Pilot Challenge: Home |url=https://www.imsa.com/michelinpilotchallenge/ |access-date=2026-05-03 |website=IMSA |language=en-US}}</ref> |{{flagicon|BEL}} Jan Heylen<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Luca Mars |Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport (5) |{{flagicon|USA}} Harry Gottsacker |Hyundai Elantra N TCR (6) |}
==Notes== {{Reflist|group=N}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|Grand-Am Cup}} *{{Official website|https://sportscarchallenge.imsa.com}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Michelin Pilot Challenge}} Category:Michelin Pilot Challenge Category:International Motor Sports Association Category:Auto racing series in the United States Category:Auto racing series in Canada Category:Touring car racing series Category:Grand-Am Category:GT4 (sports car class)