IMSA and SRO Motorsports Group will collaborate on Balance of Performance (BoP) testing for every FIA GT3 model at Daytona International Speedway in December 2026. Each GT3 manufacturer must supply a car for the dedicated sessions, which will help IMSA establish the BoP for the 2027 Rolex 24 At Daytona. The test will also allow both organisations to share technical data and experience.
IMSA introduced the GT3 specification across its GTD and GTD PRO classes in 2022. Since then, the Rolex 24 has averaged more than 35 GT3 entries, making Daytona one of the largest annual gatherings of the machinery anywhere in the world.
Daytona test adds to established SRO process
SRO already conducts annual GT3 BoP testing at Circuit Paul Ricard in France. During those sessions, independent professional drivers nominated by SRO evaluate each car and help the organisation establish its performance parameters.
However, Daytona presents a distinct challenge. Its road course combines the high-speed banking with slow corners, heavy braking zones and prolonged flat-out running, which place different demands on each GT3 configuration.
The December test will therefore give IMSA and SRO an opportunity to assess the cars at the venue that hosts the opening round of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Every FIA GT3 manufacturer to take part
IMSA will require every FIA GT3 manufacturer to provide a car for the Daytona sessions. The GT3 platform features a wide range of technical layouts. Manufacturers compete with front, mid and rear-engined cars, while their power units include turbocharged and naturally aspirated V6, flat-six, V8 and V10 engines.
Those differences make BoP essential to close competition. The process adjusts several performance areas to prevent one layout or model from gaining an inherent advantage.
The Daytona test will give the technical teams a common environment in which to assess every eligible model before the 2027 season begins.
IMSA targets close competition for 2027 Rolex 24
The Rolex 24 has attracted large GT3 fields since IMSA adopted the specification for both GTD categories.
More than 35 cars have contested the event on average across the past five editions. Consequently, minor performance differences can affect a significant number of teams, manufacturers and drivers across the two classes.
New models and the Daytona road course’s unique characteristics also encouraged IMSA to expand its pre-season testing plans.
IMSA President John Doonan explained the factors behind the joint initiative.
“We traditionally see one of the largest gatherings of GT3 race cars in the world each year in the Rolex 24 At Daytona. The global importance of this event coupled new car models and with the unique characteristics of the Daytona International Speedway road course layout were key factors into our decision to add this test to our plans for this December. We’re looking forward to collaborating with our partners at SRO to administer this test with an eye toward ensuring competitive balance for the 2027 Rolex 24.”
The test will give IMSA additional information before the championship opens with its longest and most prominent race.
SRO and IMSA to share technical expertise
The collaboration also allows SRO and IMSA to combine knowledge from their respective GT3 championships.
SRO oversees GT3 competition across several national, regional and international series. Meanwhile, IMSA manages the GTD and GTD PRO classes within the WeatherTech Championship.
Both organisations regularly analyse performance data, but the Daytona sessions will create a formal opportunity to share findings and methodologies.
SRO Motorsports Group Founder and CEO Stéphane Ratel believes both technical departments will benefit from the partnership.
“The opportunity to collaborate with IMSA and its Balance of Performance testing at Daytona will prove mutually beneficial to both parties. Sharing the data and experience of our respective technical departments makes perfect sense and is something we are very pleased to be part of. I’ve no doubt the similar pre-season testing SRO has conducted for more than 15 years will assist IMSA’s Rolex 24 preparations, but there are also things we can learn and apply to what is an inherently complex process.”
SRO brings more than 15 years of experience from its pre-season GT3 evaluation programme. However, IMSA’s Daytona data can also provide lessons that SRO may apply across its championships.
Joint test supports global GT3 competition
FIA GT3 machinery competes across several major championships, including the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, SRO-sanctioned series and the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Therefore, manufacturers often use the same base models across different continents, race formats and circuit types.
A closer technical relationship between IMSA and SRO could strengthen consistency in how the organisations evaluate those cars. Nevertheless, each championship will continue to account for its own sporting structure, tyres and circuit characteristics.
The December test will primarily support IMSA’s preparations for the 2027 Rolex 24. At the same time, it will give SRO valuable data from one of international GT racing’s most distinctive circuits.
By bringing every FIA GT3 model together at Daytona, IMSA and SRO will aim to establish a competitive foundation before the 2027 season begins.
