BRASELTON, Ga (October 5, 2011) – The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) announced the 2012 IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama schedule this week, highlighted by a return to the Formula One Grand Prix du Canada in June.

First up on the agenda is the IMSA Development Series Winter Test at Sebring February 6 and 7. The eight-event, 15-race IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama season starts with a bang at the 60^th Annual Twelve Hours of Sebring, and tours with the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón to some of the most famous venues in motorsports – Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Mosport International Raceway, Road America and the season bookend at Road Atlanta’s Petit Le Mans.

The IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama will return to the Utah Grand Prix at Miller Motorsports Park in Salt Lake City, Utah at the end of April. Also of note is the change of date for the annual trek to Monterey, California, which returns to its popular May date for 2012, and an additional ALMS venue in September or October which will be announced shortly.

Steven Sewell, Director, IMSA Development Series, introduced the schedule to the teams and drivers, and to partners Porsche Motorsports North America and Yokohama Tire at the annual champion’s banquet.

“Our priority was to put together a schedule that addressed the teams’ desire for a less compressed racing schedule,” explained Sewell. “In 2012, we will have races throughout the summer, in some of the world’s top racing venues - with one race a month to accommodate drivers’ personal and professional schedules. We do believe this is a spectacular calendar of events, appropriate for the largest Porsche one-make Cup in the world.”

“We are gratified that the IMSA GT3 Challenge by Yokohama and our 911 GT3 Cup customers have produced the largest average field in the world, over 33 cars per race – more than any Porsche one-make series in the world for 2011,” said PMNA President Jens Walter. “With this schedule that IMSA has created for 2012, we are confident that they have supplied a platform for continued success and growth.”

“We’ve been eagerly awaiting the announcement of the 2012 schedule and now that it’s out, it certainly doesn’t disappoint,” said Andrew Briggs, Senior Manager, Motorsports for Yokohama Tire. “There are some old favorites, and the return of Laguna Seca to the spring helps with the consistency of the season.  Eight events across eight months should be really manageable for all the teams.  Of course, opening and closing the season with marquee events like Sebring and Petit Le Mans is really exciting too.  Everyone at Yokohama Tire is looking forward to next season; it’s going to be great!”

The IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama features semi-professional drivers racing head to head in the largest single-make series in North America. Powered by one of the world’s most successful race cars, the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car, the multi-class structure of the series teaches drivers essential skills for an eventual career in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón.

The series is divided into two classes; the Platinum Cup, featuring the more powerful 2010 - 2012 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars, and the Gold Cup, which includes 2005½ - 2009 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars. Both classes race on environmentally-focused Yokohama ADVAN ENV-R2 racing tires.

###

2012 IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama Schedule