North America’s International Motor Sports Association has agreed a new multi-year partnership with French tyre manufacturer Michelin.
The deal, which is effective from 2019, names Michelin as the official tyre of IMSA across its premier series – the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship – and its two major Challenge series.
As part of the agreement, Michelin tyres will be on every prototype and GT Daytona race car that competes in the WeatherTech Championship.
As part of significant branding rights, Michelin will also serve as the entitlement partner of the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup from 2019, and as the exclusive tyre of the IMSA Prototype Challenge and the IMSA Michelin SportsCar Challenge.
“The significance of this expanded partnership with Michelin, one of the world’s most recognised premium brands, cannot be overstated,” IMSA president Scott Atherton said. “IMSA has enjoyed a long and successful relationship with Michelin, and we are proud to confirm this long-term agreement. Our expanded partnership with Michelin – which also enjoys strong relationships with many of our participating automotive manufacturers – will be a catalyst for accelerating the growth of the WeatherTech Championship and IMSA as a whole.
“We are extremely grateful for the role Continental Tire played in helping to grow our racing platforms throughout our partnership dating back to 2010. Continental has been an outstanding partner and was instrumental in elevating the status of the WeatherTech Championship and Continental Tire Challenge to new heights.”
The IMSA said its GT Le Mans class would continue to be open to multiple tyre manufacturers.