Lovers of beautiful, fast cars, will be treated to an incredible showing of high-end racing August 25-2017 at one of America’s top road courses, VIRginia International Raceway, in Danville, Virginia.
The family-friendly weekend kicks off Friday with practice and qualifying for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the premier sports car racing series in North America. Multiple support series races also highlight the day. Saturday’s feature is the Biscuitville Grand Prix, featuring the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge. The adrenaline-fueled weekend culminates with the Michelin GT Challenge race on Sunday.
This weekend will be the only stop in the greater Mid-Atlantic area for the WeatherTech Championship in 2017. Key attributes of the race course include 17 turns, 130 feet of elevation changes, and the “climbing esses,” considered by drivers to be one of the toughest stretches of raceway anywhere. The VIR track is 3.27 miles long, and cars racing in the Michelin GT Challenge will reach speeds of 190 miles per hour.
“VIR is an ideal place for world-class drivers to go head to head in the best production-based cars,” said Sarah Robinson, motorsports marketing manager at Michelin North America. “The one-of-a-kind track provides not only exhilarating competitions, but is also a great venue for Michelin street tire testing and more. This GT-only race weekend is certainly an event race enthusiasts and thrill-seekers won’t want to miss.”
“VIR’s road course never disappoints, and we are thrilled to bring our sports car racing championships back to such an impressive venue this year,” said Scott Atherton, president of IMSA. “It’s extremely fast and technically very demanding with sharp elevation changes that demand the best from driver and car – it makes it the perfect spot for world-class GT racing. We know fans are in for an incredible race as it is ‘go time’ for the championships, and we can’t wait to watch all the action unfold.”
“We are thrilled to once again be the only Mid-Atlantic track to host the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship,” said Connie Nyholm, VIR owner and CEO. “The Michelin GT Challenge and Biscuitville Grand Prix are truly unbelievable races to top off a thrilling weekend full of supporting series’ and other exhilarating events. We can’t wait to share the magic of VIR’s historic course with the fans, and give them a weekend they won’t soon forget.”
Race Weekend Family Fun
NASCAR Hall of Famer and team owner, Richard Petty, will be the Grand Marshal for the Michelin GT Challenge. If you wish to meet this living legend, Petty will also be available to fans for autographs and photo opportunities throughout the day.
Additional weekend opportunities include testing, qualifying, car corrals, driver autograph sessions, Michelin hot lap ride-alongs, a skydiver performance, Monster Energy BMX demonstration shows and more. Plus, VIR has plenty of other on-site fun, like karting, shooting sports, and dining at the Oak Tree Tavern. Camping is available as well.
Weekend GT Support Series Races
- Biscuitville Grand Prix is a two-hour race for the IMSA-sanctioned Continental Tire Challenge, showcasing the latest in American-made and imported high performance sports cars, coupes and sedans straight from the dealer showroom floor. The races include both the Grand Sport (GS) and Street Tuner (ST) classes.
- Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America is the world’s fastest one-make series. It is returning to the North American circuit for its fourth year where point leaders will also be invited to participate in the Super Trofeo World Final later in the year. The VIR race weekend includes rounds seven and eight.
- Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama is entering its 13th season in 2017. Semi- and aspiring professional drivers compete in one of the largest of Porsche’s 20 single-make Cup Challenge series in the world.
- F4 U.S. Championship by Honda is a modern, open-wheel race that is a competitive, exciting and affordable series for participants. It is sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing, and is designed to support North American drivers entering international open-wheel racing.
Ticket Information
Advanced tickets for the Michelin GT Challenge race weekend:
- $40 for Friday-only
- $45 for Saturday-only
- $55 for Sunday-only
- $65 for a two-day Saturday and Sunday ticket
- $75 for a three-day ticket.
All tickets will be an additional $10 if purchased at the gate.
Children 16 and under are free with a paying adult.
Active military are free. Veterans receive a 50% discount with valid military ID.
Parking is free.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.virnow.com or call (434) 822-TIKS.
Photo provided by VIRginia International Raceway.
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