Welcome back to the 2018 season of IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competition, as the year begins with the annual Roar Before the Rolex 24 test occurring this first weekend of January.

For drivers and teams, it’s the first official chance to get reacquainted at a race track since last October’s Motul Petit Le Mans season finale at Road Atlanta.

The dreams of winning a new Rolex watch begin the quest for either or both of a season-long WeatherTech Championsip or Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup title.

The first of seven sessions this weekend is underway this morning under cool conditions but sunny skies.

A 50-car grid of entries for this test includes nine GT Le Mans cars along with 20 Prototypes and 21 GT Daytona class cars. Within the nine-car GT Le Mans class, there are two cars apiece from Corvette Racing, Ford Chip Ganassi Racing, BMW Team RLL, and Porsche GT Team and one Ferrari from Risi Competizione.

A star-studded field of drivers is spread among all three classes.

Check back to michelinracingusa.com and on the various social media platforms for regular updates throughout the weekend.