What is it like to attend an IMSA race weekend?

The On-Track Schedule

Like most of the other racing series, IMSA typically runs from Friday through Sunday. With that being said, the longer endurance events like the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring can begin earlier in the week with sessions starting on Thursday.

Porsche Penske at the 24 Hours of Daytona

Friday

Free Practice for all classes (GTP, LMP2, GTD Pro, GTD
Support Races
- Races begging for the support series that are racing alongside the WeatherTech Championship cars

Friday serves as the introductory day for fans at an IMSA race weekend, primarily featuring Free Practice for all classes (GTP, LMP2, GTD Pro, GTD) of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. This is the best time for teams to dial in their setups, offering fans an extensive look at the cars on track. Additionally, the day marks the beginning of the action for the Support Series, with their own practice and sometimes the first races of the weekend.

For fans, Friday is a relaxed but active day, offering the best opportunity for up-close access: the Open Paddock is typically included with most tickets and features the most activity with the fewest crowds, allowing fans to wander through team transporters and garage areas for an intimate look behind the scenes.

Saturday

Qualifying for the main Weather Tech Championship event takes place
IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge races

Saturday is an intense and action-packed day for fans at an IMSA race weekend, centered around determining the starting grid and featuring a full schedule of on-track racing action. The main highlight is the Qualifying session for the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, where drivers push their cars to the limit for pole position. Complementing this is the feature race for the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, which is typically a longer, dedicated endurance race that offers hours of high-speed GT and TCR action. With most of the competitive track sessions taking place, the atmosphere buzzes with energy, making Saturday an excellent day to explore the fan zones, driver autograph sessions, and the Open Paddock before the main event on Sunday.

Sunday

Final Practice (Warm-up) for the WeatherTech Championship
Open Grid/Fan Walk
The WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race

Sunday is the highlight of an IMSA race weekend, centered entirely around the main WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Race. The morning often starts with a brief Final Practice (Warm-up) session before the gates open for one of IMSA's most unique fan experiences: the Open Grid and Fan Walk.

This allows fans, including those with general admission tickets, to walk directly onto the track's pit lane right before the race, getting up-close photos of the cars on the starting grid, meeting the drivers, and soaking up the pre-race energy. Once the race begins, spectators are treated to hours of multi-class endurance racing. At most venues, the exciting post-race experience allows for fans to celebrate the winners on the track itself.

Meet the Cars and Drivers

Even though the on-track schedule is busy with numerous sessions taking place over the course of the weekend, the teams and drivers always find time to interact with the fans, allowing selfies and autographs. During an IMSA weekend, there are a variety of opportunities for fans to meet their racing heroes and get up close to their favorite cars.

Fans on track at the IMSA Chevrolet Grand Prix

Open Paddock

Included with most tickets, fans are allowed to walk through the team transporters and garage areas
TIP: Friday has the most activity happening in the paddock area with the least amount of fans

Open Grid/Fan Walk

Before the feature race, the pit lane is opened for all fans to walk on the track
You can walk right up to the cars on the start grid, take photos with mechanics and wandering drivers and see the pit boxes up close

Autograph Sessions

IMSA frequently hosts driver autograph sessions in the Paddock or Fan Zone

Close Viewing

Unlike Formula 1, IMSA allows fans to view the race from a variety of different vantage points
The GA area is so large and there are almost always amazing views from any point of the circuit

Post-race

At most IMSA events, fans are often allowed on to the track after the chequered flag to celebrate the winners of the race

Off-Track Entertainment and Atmosphere

IMSA races take up a good part of the day, considering they are longer endurance races in comparison to an IndyCar race or an F1 race. For the fans who are committed to staying at the track during the long hours, IMSA events always have a fan zone or other off-track activities for the race goers to take part in. There is constant entertainment over the course of an IMSA event with live music, pop-ups, fan zones, driver appearances and a large variety of food and beverage options.