[h=2]IMSA to race at Mid-Ohio in 2018, skip COTA[/h] By RACER Staff / Images by Ethan & Levitt/LAT


IMSA's 2018 schedule is starting to take shape, with the series confirming a return to Mid-Ohio in May after a four-year absence – and Circuit of The Americas falling off the calendar.
The WeatherTech SportsCar Championship will make its Mid-Ohio track debut as the headliner for the May 4-6 event weekend, which will also mark the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge's return to the 2.258-mile road course for the first time since 2013.

"Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course has a long and storied history of hosting world-class sports car races in front of a loyal and knowledgeable fanbase," IMSA President Scott Atherton said. "We will build on that legacy next May with a field of Prototype and GT race cars that represent the pinnacle of the sport. Many of our stakeholders have long been supportive and quite vocal regarding a return to Mid-Ohio and we are pleased that we can finally say 'We're back.'"

IMSA last visited Mid-Ohio in June 2013, when Joao Barbosa and Christian Fittipaldi won the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series race (pictured). The American Le Mans Series raced at Mid-Ohio for the final time on Aug. 5, 2012, won overall by co-drivers Lucas Luhr and Klaus Graf. There were a 13 GRAND-AM races and 11 ALMS events at Mid-Ohio.
"It is awesome news that IMSA is going back to Mid-Ohio," said Barbosa, who first raced Atlantics at the track in 1997. "I am really looking forward to going back there. It is one of the classic tracks in this country and I think it is going to be a lot of fun to race our Cadillac DPi-V.R there. Mid-Ohio also has some great fans and our cars should make for a great show for them."
"We are thrilled to announce that the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship will be joining our schedule in 2018. It is a great way to kick off our season," Mid-Ohio President Craig Rust said. "We have a tremendous following of sports car fans, and they ask us every year when we might be able to bring the IMSA series to Mid-Ohio. We are very proud that we were able to work with Scott Atherton and his team to get this done for them, for us – and most importantly for our fans."
For Ohio-based Michael Shank Racing, which is based less than 60 miles from the track, it's a welcome schedule change.
"The number one question I always get – by far – is, 'When is IMSA coming back to Mid-Ohio?'" team owner Michael Shank said. "Our fans are some of the most loyal in motorsports and we have a ton of fans that love to come out to Mid-Ohio and truly miss it on our IMSA schedule. I'm grateful that IMSA and Mid-Ohio came to terms. Everyone at Michael Shank Racing along with our partners will do whatever we can support this great event."


IMSA and Circuit of The Americas mutually agreed on the decision not to return, but both are open to working together again in the future.


The entire 2018 schedules for the WeatherTech Championship and Continental Tire Challenge will be announced Friday, Aug. 4 at Road America.