During a press conference held at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, SRO Motorsports Group and the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) have announced plans to collaborate on a dedicated Balance of Performance (BoP) test for FIA GT3 machinery in December 2026 at Daytona International Speedway in an effort to strengthen GT3 competition across North America.
The joint initiative will bring every eligible FIA GT3 model to Daytona prior to the start of the 2027 season, combining the technical expertise of both organizations to further refine the Balance of Performance process across multiple series.
Each season, manufacturers participate in a comprehensive pre-season test at Circuit Paul Ricard in France, where independent, SRO-appointed professional drivers evaluate every homologated GT3 model under standardized conditions. The resulting data serves as the foundation for BoP across all global SRO championships.
The additional Daytona test acknowledges the unique characteristics of the road course and its’ significance for North American sportscar racing. Every GT3 manufacturer will be required to provide a car for the December test sessions, allowing both organizations to gather valuable data specific to the demands of the circuit.
The collaboration also represents another example of the close technical relationship between SRO and IMSA, with both groups committed to maintaining competitive, manufacturer-balanced racing throughout the GT3 landscape, both in North America and across continents.
"The opportunity to collaborate with IMSA and its Balance of Performance testing at Daytona will prove mutually beneficial to both parties," said Stéphane Ratel, Founder and CEO of SRO Motorsports Group. "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."
“We traditionally see one of the largest gatherings of GT3 race cars in the world each year in the Rolex 24 At Daytona,” added John Doonan, IMSA President. “The global importance of this event coupled with 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.”
For competitors in SRO America, the continued collaboration reinforces a shared commitment to ensuring that GT3 machinery remains closely matched across North America's premier sports car racing championships. As a result, this will aid in providing manufacturers, teams, and drivers with the consistent and competitive platform that has made FIA GT3 the world's leading GT racing category.