IMSA teams could join Le Mans

The IMSA sportscar championship and the World Endurance Championship have taken their biggest step towards one unified global formula, after announcing a convergence of rules during the Daytona 24 Hours last month.

IMSA had been on the path to its upcoming DPi 2.0 platform to replace its existing top-tier class, but it has now been renamed LMDh and will incorporate a spec hybrid system. The LM Hypercar regulations allow for both hybrid and non-hybrids.

The LMDh cars will be eligible to race in the WEC from September 2021 and will be able to compete at Le Mans 24 in 2022. It is unclear if the WEC’s LM Hypercar machines will in-turn be able to race in IMSA events.

IMSA wants its LMDh cars to match the pace of the LM Hypercars and a Balance of Performance equalisation system is expected to be used, with more details set to be unveiled at March’s Super Sebring round.

Convergence is the culmination of years of talks between Le Mans organiser, the Automobile Club l’Ouest, and IMSA.

“A manufacturer will soon be able to compete in the top category of two championships, the WEC and the IMSA,” said ACO head Pierre Fillon. The brands racing at Daytona appeared in favour of the move.

The LMDh cars will be eligible to race in the WEC from September 2021 and will be able to compete at Le Mans 24 in 2022. It is unclear if the WEC’s LM Hypercar machines will in-turn be able to race in IMSA events.

IMSA wants its LMDh cars to match the pace of the LM Hypercars and a Balance of Performance equalisation system is expected to be used, with more details set to be unveiled at March’s Super Sebring round.

Convergence is the culmination of years of talks between Le Mans organiser, the Automobile Club l’Ouest, and IMSA.

“A manufacturer will soon be able to compete in the top category of two championships, the WEC and the IMSA,” said ACO head Pierre Fillon. The brands racing at Daytona appeared in favour of the move.