42 Entries for Daytona

Photo: Mike Levitt/IMSA

A total of 42 entries are set for next week’s BMW M Endurance Challenge at Daytona, the opening round of IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge.

The entry list is comprised of 26 GS class entries and 16 TCR machines for the four-hour enduro at Daytona International Speedway.

It includes a record number of Bronze Cup entries — seven — in GS, while also several updated cars in the BMW M4 GT4 EVO and Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2.

Hattori Motorsports, which has yet to reveal its driver lineup, along with RAFA Racing and Kingpin Racing have Toyotas entered, with Turner Motorsport and Auto Technic Racing set to debut the latest-generation BMW.

Gou Racing, meanwhile, will give the Cupra Leon VZ TCR its series debut in the TCR class, as the latest brand to join IMSA competition.

While Team TGM will defend its GS title with new Aston Martin Vantage GT4 Evos, they’ll face competition from reigning TCR champions Unitronic/JDC-Miller Motorsports, which has made the move up to the top class with a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport for Mikey Taylor and Chris Miller.

The TCR class sees a mix of Hyundai Elantra N TCRs, Audi RS 3 LMS TCRs, Honda Civic FL5 TCRs, along with the singleton Cupra.

Thirty-seven of the 42 entries are due to take part in this weekend’s Roar Before the Rolex 24 pre-season test, which is optional for Pilot Challenge teams.

Track action for the season opener begins on Wed. Jan. 22 with a one-hour practice session, followed by Practice 2 and qualifying on Thursday.

The BMW M Endurance Challenge takes the green flag Fri. Jan 24 at 1:45 p.m. ET.