Endurance racing is the focus of this week’s Racecraft & Race Cars Roundup, with an in-depth look at what it takes to win at the highest level. You’ll also find racecraft tips for young drivers, series news, and more.
Overview
Racecraft Tips & Techniques
Inside the Fight to Win at the Highest Level of Endurance Racing
Winning a 24-hour endurance race is about far more than outright speed. This behind-the-scenes feature at Motorsport.com explores the countless moving parts that separate victory from defeat at events like the Rolex 24 at Daytona, from flawless teamwork and split-second strategy to precision pit stops and the ability to stay composed through hours of changing conditions. Featuring insights from legendary drivers, mechanics, and engineers, it offers a fascinating look at what it really takes to succeed at the highest level of endurance racing.
More Racecraft Advice from Dan Wells of Drivers Lab
Dan Wells from Drivers Lab has more relevant advice for young drivers that covers testing in the rain, how to properly use a test day and the importance of qualifying for junior drivers. You can read them all at the links below.
Forget Paint: How We Had a Helmet Professionally Wrapped
A professionally wrapped helmet can do much more than look good—it can become a key part of a driver’s personal brand. This Grassroots Motorsports feature goes behind the scenes with expert helmet wrappers to reveal the techniques, materials, and attention to detail required to transform a plain helmet into a race-ready work of art. Whether you’re considering a custom design for sponsors or simply want to stand out in the paddock, the article offers an inside look at a highly specialized craft.
Race Car & Series Developments
McLaren Trophy America Joins IMSA For 2027 And Beyond
The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) and McLaren have confirmed that IMSA will sanction McLaren Trophy America from the start of the 2027 season after the signing of a long-term deal. The move reflects the continued growth of McLaren’s high-performance racing platform, McLaren Trophy.
Conceived to encourage and nurture the desires of road car customers to race, McLaren Trophy allows McLaren enthusiast amateur racers to compete in bespoke McLaren Automotive racing cars. Free from regulation, the engineers are allowed to enhance the aerodynamics, performance and handling of the successful GT4 platform racers. The most recent iteration of this formula was revealed in 2024, with the McLaren Artura Trophy Evo race car.
Second Fuji Date Moves to Autumn in 2027 Calendar
SUPER GT has revealed a provisional calendar for the 2027 season featuring a major date change for the second fixture at Fuji Speedway. Published last Friday ahead of this weekend’s Fuji 300km, the schedule features the same roster of six domestic venues, plus Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, which is poised to return after this year’s visit to the track was cancelled.
2026-27 Asian Season to Be Held Entirely in Europe
The upcoming Asian Le Mans Series season will be entirely held in Europe, following confirmation of the 2026-27 calendar. Full details can be found here.
GTWC Europe Alters Portimao Race to Avoid Direct WEC Clash
The GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS has adjusted the timetable for its Portimao season finale to avoid a direct clash with the FIA World Endurance Championship’s new Barcelona race.
Full details can be found here.
IMSA Evaluating Mandatory GTD Pro Entry for All GTD Brands
IMSA is evaluating the possibility of mandating all active GTD manufacturers in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship to also have a car in the GTD Pro class, beginning as early as next year.
Sportscar365 has learned that the topic has been discussed between OEMs in recent IMSA sporting working group meetings, although a decision has yet to be taken.
It’s understood that the move for such a rule would be for the sanctioning body to have a more accurate read on the Balance of Performance, by utilizing data from all-pro lineups.
AASA Releases Statement in Wake of Super Series Rebranding
The Australian Auto-Sport Alliance has offered a brief explanation following the sudden rebranding of the formerly-known Hi-Tec Oils Super Series.
AASA has confirmed that promotion of the series has been brought back under the governing body’s control, while also confirming a title sponsor for the upcoming Fight in the Night event.
“AASA has made the decision to bring back the series in-house and rebrand the championship as the AASA Race Series, with a continued commitment to its competitors,” a AASA statement explained.
Thunderhill Open 2027 Race Group Interest Form
March 5–7, 2027. Planning’s underway, and we’re looking for established race groups to fill next year’s field. If you can bring 15+ cars and run your own registration, tech, and race ops, we want to hear from you.
Complete the Race Group Interest Form here.
From the Sim Racing Roundup
Dynisma DMG-1 Gaining Professional Traction
The Dynisma DMG-1 sim rig is being installed in more professional race teams and manufacturers, and I have the details in last week’s Sim Racing Roundup. I also have more competitive sim racing news, beginner’s buyer tips and more!
Track Days
NISMO Festival at Fuji Speedway 2026 Announced in Celebration of Nissan and NISMO Fans
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Nissan Motorsports & Customizing Co., Ltd. (NMC) today announced that the 26th NISMO Festival will be held on December 6, 2026, at Fuji Speedway in Shizuoka, Japan.
The NISMO Festival is NMC’s annual fan appreciation event, created to thank Nissan and NISMO enthusiasts for their continued passion and support. It brings the community together to experience Nissan’s motorsport heritage, current racing activities, future ambitions and the spirit of the NISMO brand firsthand.
Visitors will have the opportunity to experience iconic Nissan and NISMO race cars from the past and present through on-track demonstrations and static displays. The festival will also feature NISMO road cars and the latest Nissan production vehicles, giving fans a closer look at Nissan’s performance, technology and innovation.
Full details can be found here.
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects and the host of the Motorsport Prospects Podcast. As a lawyer, he applies his legal background and research skills to assist race drivers by showcasing the resources they need to make their motorsport careers happen.
