PREVIEW: 2025 IMSA Chevrolet Sports Car Classic
Get ready for the Chevrolet Sports Car Classic as Porsche and BMW lead the German charge in Detroit. Here’s what to expect from the German marques this weekend.
Porsche and BMW Chase Detroit Honours
The 2025 Chevrolet Sports Car Classic runs on the streets of Detroit this weekend. This IMSA sprint returns the spotlight to Porsche and BMW. Each marque has a point to prove.
Why it matters
Detroit is IMSA’s only major street race. Its short, bumpy course leaves no time for mistakes. At just 100 minutes, this event is over in a flash. There is no room for error or a slow start. German teams have history here, from outright wins to bold recovery drives. For Porsche and BMW, victory would mean more than points: it is a statement ahead of Le Mans and the rest of the season.
Entries and line-up
Porsche:
Porsche arrives in strength.
- Porsche Penske Motorsport fields two Porsche 963s in GTP:
- #6: Mathieu Jaminet and Matt Campbell
- #7: Felipe Nasr and Nick Tandy
- JDC-Miller MotorSports adds another 963:
- #85: Tijmen van der Helm and Gianmaria Bruni
- In GTD PRO, AO Racing runs the eye-catching “Rexy” Porsche 911 GT3 R:
- #77: Laurin Heinrich and Klaus Bachler
BMW:
BMW returns with its two-car GTP effort.
- BMW M Team RLL brings the M Hybrid V8:
- #24: Philipp Eng and Dries Vanthoor
- #25: Marco Wittmann and Sheldon van der Linde
- In GTD PRO, Paul Miller Racing represents BMW:
- #1: Madison Snow and Neil Verhagen
- #48: Dan Harper and Max Hesse
Mercedes-AMG:
No Mercedes-AMG cars compete in GTP or GTD PRO at Detroit this year. The brand remains a force in the wider IMSA series through its customer GT3 programme.
Audi:
Audi has no factory or customer cars in either headline class. Audi Sport’s main focus is its Formula 1 project, with customer racing teams now prioritising other championships and classes.
What to watch
- Porsche and BMW head the German effort, each with three cars in the top GTP class.
- The Detroit street course is tight and rough; expect mistakes to be punished.
- Short race, high risk: The strategy will be simple, and a single caution or error can decide the result.
- GTP teams must balance the urge to win with the need to protect cars ahead of Le Mans.
- AO Racing’s pink “Rexy” Porsche always attracts attention and is quick in the hands of Heinrich and Bachler.
- Several drivers have Detroit street race experience, including Nick Tandy (Porsche) and Marco Wittmann (BMW).
- Weather could play a role, with showers not uncommon in late May.
RSR perspective
This weekend, Porsche has the best shot at a win. They field the most cars and have form in both prototype and GT racing. BMW is strong but needs to convert speed into a result, especially after some missed chances earlier this year. The absence of Mercedes-AMG and Audi in the main classes says much about the shifting factory priorities in global racing, but it is hard to imagine they will be gone for long.
How to follow
The Chevrolet Sports Car Classic starts at 15:10 EDT (20:10 BST) on Saturday, 31 May. Watch live on IMSA TV (YouTube) or follow along at IMSA.com for updates, timing, and analysis.
Which German team do you think will shine in Detroit? Let us know in the comments or subscribe for post-race analysis direct from The Rennsport Report.
