IMSA Prototype Challenge

{{Short description|Motorsport series}} {{for|the Camel Lights series of the 1980s|IMSA GT Championship}}

{{Infobox motorsport championship | name = IMSA Prototype Challenge | logo = IMSA Prototype Challenge logo.svg | pixels = | caption = | category = [[Sports car racing]] | country/region = [[United States]], [[Canada]] | inaugural = 2006 | folded = 2022 | classes = LMP3 | champion driver = {{Flagicon|EST}} [[Tõnis Kasemets]] | champion team = Wulver Racing | current_season = | website = [https://www.imsa.com/prototypechallenge/prototype-challenge-2021-schedule/ IMSA Official Site] }}

'''IMSA Prototype Challenge''' (formerly IMSA Prototype Lites) was a racing series featuring two classes of single-seat prototype cars racing simultaneously. The series was sanctioned by the [[International Motor Sports Association]] (IMSA). Most races were held in support of the [[WeatherTech SportsCar Championship]].<ref>{{cite web |title=IMSA, Cooper Tire align for partnership in Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Championship |url=http://www.imsaracing.net/2009/news/lites/IMSA%20Lites%20Cooper%20Tires%20Announcement.pdf |work=Press release |publisher=International Motor Sports Association |access-date=30 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111017235846/http://www.imsaracing.net/2009/news/lites/IMSA%20Lites%20Cooper%20Tires%20Announcement.pdf |archive-date=17 October 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The series raced [[LMP3]] class prototype sportscars. The cars have grown in size and speed since its 2006 introduction, starting from four-cylinder and motorcycle powered race cars to large V8 powered cars. Each race was 1 hour and 45 minutes long apart from the season opening 3 hour race at [[Daytona International Speedway]].

The series' final season was in [[2022 IMSA Prototype Challenge|2022]]. For 2023, the series was replaced with the [[IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.autoweek.com/racing/more-racing/a40486558/imsa-to-replace-prototype-challenge-with-new-sprint-racing-class-in-2023/|title=IMSA to Replace Prototype Challenge with New Sprint Racing Class in 2023|date=July 1, 2022|accessdate=January 21, 2023|website=autoweek.com|publisher=Hearst Autos, Inc}}</ref>

==Car Specifications==

===LMP3 Class=== {| class="wikitable" | Minimum weight || {{convert|930|kg|lb}} |- | Maximum length || {{convert|4650|mm|in}} |- | Maximum width || {{convert|1900|mm|in}} |- | Engine || Naturally aspirated Nissan V8 5.6L |- | Fuel tank size || {{convert|85|litres|USgal}} |- | Maximum wheel diameter || {{Convert|28|in|mm}} |- | Maximum wheel width || {{Convert|13|in|mm}} <ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.europeanlemansseries.com/en/elms/the-different-classes/4 | title = The different classes | publisher = Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) | access-date =2016-05-05 }}</ref> |- |}

===Former classes===

MPC Class *'''Engine''': 2.0-liter, [[Naturally-aspirated engine|Naturally aspirated]] [[Mazda MZR engine]] *'''Gearbox''': 6 Speed [[Sequential Manual Transmission]] *'''Weight''': 1,425 lb (646 kg) with driver *'''Fuel Delivery''': [[Electronic fuel injection]]<ref>[http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/uploads/TECHNICAL%20REGULATIONS%202014%20CTPL%20030414.pdf 2014 Technical Regulations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015073824/http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/uploads/TECHNICAL%20REGULATIONS%202014%20CTPL%20030414.pdf |date=2015-10-15 }}, ''IMSA.com/competitors'', Retrieved 20 September 2014</ref>

L2 Class<ref>[http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/uploads/TECHNICAL%20REGULATIONS%202014%20CTPL%20030414.pdf 2014 Technical Regulations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015073824/http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/uploads/TECHNICAL%20REGULATIONS%202014%20CTPL%20030414.pdf |date=2015-10-15 }}, ''IMSA.com/competitors'', Retrieved 20 September 2014</ref> *'''Engine''': 2.3-liter, [[Naturally-aspirated engine|Naturally aspirated]] [[Mazda L engine|Mazda MP2]] *'''Gearbox''': 6 Speed [[Sequential Manual Transmission]] *'''Weight''': 1,425 lb (646 kg) with driver *'''Fuel Delivery''': [[Electronic fuel injection]]

L2 Class ''2006-2012 only''<ref>{{cite web |title=Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Championship Technical Regulations Lites 2 / L-2 2011 |url=http://imsaracing.net/2011/lites/rules/2011%20PROTOTYPE%20Lites%202%20Technical%20Regulations.pdf |publisher=International Motor Sports Association |access-date=30 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015211308/http://imsaracing.net/2011/lites/rules/2011%20PROTOTYPE%20Lites%202%20Technical%20Regulations.pdf |archive-date=15 October 2011 |date=January 20, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> *'''Engine''': 1000cc [[Naturally-aspirated engine|Naturally aspirated]] Kawasaki or Suzuki *'''Weight''': 1,100 lb (500 kg) with driver

L3 Class ''2006-2009 only, class discontinued for 2010''<ref>{{cite web |title=Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Championship Technical Regulations Lites 3 / L-3 2010 |url=http://imsaracing.net/2010/lites/bulletins/Prototype%20Lites%203%20Tech%20Regs%202010%20Final.pdf |publisher=International Motor Sports Association |access-date=30 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015215848/http://imsaracing.net/2010/lites/bulletins/Prototype%20Lites%203%20Tech%20Regs%202010%20Final.pdf |archive-date=15 October 2011 |date=February 1, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> *'''Engine''': 2.3-liter, [[Naturally-aspirated engine|Naturally aspirated]] [[Mazda L engine|Mazda MZR]] *'''Weight''': 1,350 lb (612 kg) with driver

==Champions== {|class="wikitable" |- !Season!!Class!!Driver Champion!!Masters Champion!!Team Champion |- !rowspan=3| [[2006 IMSA Prototype Lites season|2006]] | L1 | {{Flagicon|USA}} [[Adam Pecorari]]<ref>{{cite web |last=Åberg |first=Andres |title=The racing career of Adam Pecorari — in detail |url=http://www.driverdb.com/drivers/948/career/ |publisher=Driver Database |access-date=30 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019121224/http://www.driverdb.com/drivers/948/career/ |archive-date=19 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | n/a | {{Flagicon|USA}} [[Cape Motorsports]] |- | L2 | {{Flagicon|USA}} Dan McBreen | n/a | PVM Racing |- | L3 | {{Flagicon|USA}} Robert Mumm | n/a | n/a |- !rowspan=3| [[2007 IMSA Prototype Lites season|2007]] | L1 | {{Flagicon|PUR}} [[Gerardo Bonilla]] | n/a | {{Flagicon|USA}} B-K Motorsports |- | L2 | {{Flagicon|USA}} Robby Card | n/a | PVM Racing |- | L3 | {{Flagicon|USA}} Richard Spicer | n/a | {{Flagicon|USA}} Spicer-Hagerman |- !rowspan=3| [[2008 IMSA Prototype Lites season|2008]] | L1 | {{Flagicon|USA}} Jonathan Goring | {{Flagicon|USA}} Jon Brownson | {{Flagicon|USA}} Comprent Motorsports |- | L2 | {{Flagicon|AUS}} Tom Drewer | {{Flagicon|USA}} Eric Vassian | {{Flagicon|USA}} WEST Racing |- | L3 | {{Flagicon|USA}} Chris Funk | {{Flagicon|USA}} Chris Funk | KC Racing |- !rowspan=3| [[2009 IMSA Prototype Lites season|2009]] | L1 | {{Flagicon|USA}} Joel Feinberg | {{Flagicon|USA}} Gary Gibson | {{Flagicon|USA}} Eurosport Racing |- | L2 | {{Flagicon|USA}} John Weisberg | {{Flagicon|USA}} Alain Nadal | {{Flagicon|USA}} Berg Racing |- | L3 | {{Flagicon|USA}} Chris Doyle | {{Flagicon|USA}} Chris Funk | Surface Exploration |- !rowspan=2| [[2010 IMSA Prototype Lites season|2010]] | L1 | {{Flagicon|USA}} Charlie Shears | {{Flagicon|USA}} Charlie Shears | {{Flagicon|USA}} Core Autosport |- | L2 | {{Flagicon|USA}} John Weisberg | {{Flagicon|USA}} Jim Garrett | {{Flagicon|USA}} Berg Racing |- !rowspan=2| [[2011 IMSA Prototype Lites season|2011]] | L1 | {{Flagicon|PUR}} Ricardo Vera | {{Flagicon|USA}} Daniel Mancini | {{Flagicon|USA}} Eurosport |- | L2 | {{Flagicon|CAN}} Robert Sabato | {{Flagicon|USA}} [[Alan Wilzig]] | {{Flagicon|CAN}} 6th Gear Racing |- !rowspan=2| [[2012 IMSA Prototype Lites season|2012]] | L1 | {{Flagicon|USA}} [[Tristan Nunez]] | {{Flagicon|USA}} Jon Brownson | {{Flagicon|USA}} Performance Tech |- | L2 | {{Flagicon|USA}} [[Scott Tucker (racing driver)|Scott Tucker]] | {{Flagicon|USA}} Alan Wilzig | {{Flagicon|USA}} [[Level 5 Motorsports]] |- !rowspan=2| [[2013 IMSA Prototype Lites season|2013]] | L1 | {{Flagicon|USA}} [[Sean Rayhall]] | {{Flagicon|USA}} Jon Brownson | {{Flagicon|USA}} Performance Tech |- | L2 | {{Flagicon|USA}} Brian Alder | {{Flagicon|USA}} Jerome Mee | {{Flagicon|USA}} Ansa Motorsports |- !rowspan=2| [[2014 IMSA Prototype Lites season|2014]] | L1 | {{Flagicon|RUS}} [[Misha Goikhberg|Mikhail Goikhberg]] | {{Flagicon|USA}} [[John Falb]] | {{Flagicon|USA}} [[JDC–Miller MotorSports|JDC Motorsports]] |- | L2 | {{Flagicon|USA}} Brian Alder | {{Flagicon|USA}} Jerome Mee | {{Flagicon|USA}} BAR1 Motorsports |- !rowspan=2| [[2015 IMSA Prototype Lites season|2015]] | L1 | {{Flagicon|USA}} [[Kenton Koch]] | {{Flagicon|USA}} [[John Falb]] | {{Flagicon|USA}} [[JDC–Miller MotorSports|JDC Motorsports]] |- | L2 | {{Flagicon|USA}} Brian Alder | n/a | {{Flagicon|USA}} BAR1 Motorsports |- ![[2016 Mazda Prototype Lites season|2016]] | L1 | {{Flagicon|USA}} Clark Toppe | {{Flagicon|USA}} Joel Janco | {{Flagicon|USA}} [[JDC–Miller MotorSports|JDC Motorsports]] |- !rowspan=2|[[2017 IMSA Prototype Challenge|2017]] | LMP3 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Colin Thompson (racing driver)|Colin Thompson]] | {{flagicon|USA}} Naj Husain | {{flagicon|USA}} P1 Motorsports |- | MPC | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Kyle Masson]] | {{flagicon|GBR}} Stuart Rettie | {{flagicon|USA}} Performance Tech Motorsports |- !rowspan=2|[[2018 IMSA Prototype Challenge|2018]] | LMP3 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Kris Wright]] | {{flagicon|CAN}} Cameron Cassels | {{flagicon|USA}} #30 [[Extreme Speed Motorsports]] |- | MPC | {{flagicon|USA}} Jon Brownson | n/a | {{flagicon|USA}} #34 Eurosport Racing |- ! [[2019 IMSA Prototype Challenge|2019]] | LMP3 | {{flagicon|USA}} Austin McCusker {{flagicon|PER}} Rodrigo Pflucker | {{flagicon|USA}} Joel Janco | {{flagicon|USA}} #47 Forty 7 Racing |- ! [[2020 IMSA Prototype Challenge|2020]] | LMP3 | {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Matt Bell (British racing driver)|Matthew Bell]] {{flagicon|USA}} Naveen Rao | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Steven Thomas (racing driver)|Steven Thomas]] | {{flagicon|USA}} #64 K2R Motorsports LLC |- !rowspan=2| [[2021 IMSA Prototype Challenge|2021]] | LMP3-1 | {{Flagicon|USA}} [[Dakota Dickerson]] {{Flagicon|USA}} Josh Sarchet | {{Flagicon|USA}} David Grant {{Flagicon|USA}} Keith Grant | {{Flagicon|USA}} MLT Motorsports |- | LMP3-2 | {{Flagicon|CAN}} Danny Kok {{Flagicon|CAN}} George Staikos | {{Flagicon|CAN}} Danny Kok {{Flagicon|CAN}} George Staikos | {{Flagicon|CAN}} [[Conquest Racing]] |- ! [[2022 IMSA Prototype Challenge|2022]] | LMP3 | {{flagicon|EST}} [[Tõnis Kasemets]] | n/a | {{flagicon|USA}} Wulver Racing |- ! colspan="5" align="center" | <ref>{{cite web|title=Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Results and Points|url=http://imsaracing.net/newpage2a.cfm?p=/2011/lites/2011resultslites-c.cfm|publisher=International Motor Sports Association|access-date=24 June 2011}}</ref> |}

==Circuits==

* {{flagicon|Alabama}} [[Barber Motorsports Park]] (2017–2018) * {{flagicon|Ontario}} [[Canadian Tire Motorsport Park]] (2007–2019, 2022) * {{flagicon|Texas}} [[Circuit of the Americas]] (2013) * {{flagicon|Quebec}} [[Circuit Trois-Rivières]] (2016–2017) * {{flagicon|Florida}} [[Daytona International Speedway]] (2018–2021) * {{flagicon|Kansas}} [[Kansas Speedway]] (2014) * {{flagicon|California}} [[Laguna Seca]] (2007–2008, 2010–2013, 2016) * {{flagicon|Connecticut}} [[Lime Rock Park]] (2006–2011, 2017, 2003–2015) * {{flagicon|Ohio}} [[Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course]] (2006, 2011, 2013, 2019–2022) * {{flagicon|New Jersey}} [[New Jersey Motorsports Park]] (2009–2010) * {{flagicon|Louisiana}} [[NOLA Motorsports Park]] (2015) * {{flagicon|Wisconsin}} [[Road America]] (2006, 2009–2015, 2020) * {{flagicon|Atlanta}} [[Road Atlanta]] (2006–2022) * {{flagicon|Florida}} [[Sebring International Raceway]] (2007–2021) * {{flagicon|Utah}} [[Utah Motorsports Campus]] (2007–2010, 2012) * {{flagicon|Virginia}} [[Virginia International Raceway]] (2012, 2014–2015, 2018–2022) * {{flagicon|New York}} [[Watkins Glen International]] (2014–2017, 2021)

== References == {{Reflist|2}}

== External links == * [http://prototypechallenge.imsa.com/ Official site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220092116/http://prototypechallenge.imsa.com/ |date=2017-02-20 }}

[[Category:IMSA Prototype Challenge| ]] [[Category:Auto racing series in Canada]] [[Category:Auto racing series in the United States]] [[Category:International Motor Sports Association]] [[Category:Sports car racing series]] [[Category:Organizations disestablished in 2022]] [[Category:Defunct auto racing series]]