The IVRA Endurance Series is down to just two categories of car in three classes as the GTEs depart for the 2022/23 season. It comes along with numerous other regulation changes before the opener at Road America this weekend.
Most significantly, the GTEs are gone for 2022/23. As it is a dying category in real world motorsports, IVRA has switched to an LMP2, GT3 Pro, and GT3 structure, which has paved the way for Audi, Ferrari and McLaren to have their machinery on the grid.
They will have longer in the spotlight too, as the races have increased in length this season from the 1000km races last season. It kicks off with a duo of American 1000 mile-long rounds, before 2022 ends with a 12 hour spectacular at Daytona.
The new year will bring the only European round at Monza which will double up with Motegi as 1500km rounds, which is 932 miles. The finale will be at the all-new Fuji Speedway, another 12 hour race that will decide the champions.
It’s quite clear on this schedule that straight-line speed will be important, as Road America, Daytona, Monza and Fuji all feature exceptionally long straights. What is even more compelling is that Pre-Qualifying took place at Mosport, known for having no straights at all, which will be a dynamic to watch throughout the season.
In terms of teams to watch this season, everyone will be looking no further than Puresims Esports. Champions in both Fall and Winter seasons last time out, they’re back with the #1 on their car and a strong trio of drivers to defend their crown.
There will be plenty of newcomers looking to take it off them, however. URANO eSports are arguably the biggest name coming in, as the likes of Daniel Alves Lourenco, Dylan Scrivens and Yoep de Ligt will surely be challenging for a title in LMP2.
VELOCE are also making an appearance this season, the most experienced of their drivers being Patrick Wolf. SRC Mivano Corse will have similar expertise in Tommaso Carla, while other relatively fresh IVRA teams lining up this weekend include Race Clutch and Team RSO.
These teams will be alongside the usual suspects of IVRA too. Vector by RSR, Alpinestars Geodesic Racing and Maniti Racing will start at Road America.
In GT3 Pro, the eye is also drawn to URANO eSports despite their two driver lineup. They’ll have Niclas Laubisch, who won the iRacing Daytona 24 in GTE two years ago, and the winner of literally every iRacing endurance event, Jonas Wallmeier.
Team PGZ will be on the startline in a Porsche, as will IVRA regulars Puresims Esports, 5Star Motorsports and Impulse Racing. The 911 GT3R seems to be a popular choice among competitors, although a strongly represented Team Heusinkveld have gone with Mercedes, like Urano eSports.
In GT3, a step down from GT3 Pro, there is a similar trend but with more BMWs, and a slightly less numerous field at 12 entries. Archer Brothers Esports are back again after a successful campaign in 2021/22 which saw them take a victory at the Red Bull Ring.
It will be another exciting season of action in the IVRA Endurance Series. The season will be kicking off this Saturday at Road America for a gruelling 1000 miles of racing.