Following meetings with manufacturers and team representatives at Daytona, we check in with Chris Baker, director of motorsport, Michelin North America, for a multi-part series outlining Michelin’s preparations for the 2019 IMSA season.

Part two is below, with an explanation of Michelin’s on-track opportunities for teams scheduled throughout 2018. These track opportunities do not count against the testing days IMSA allows for a team.

Part three will follow on Thursday, with a look at 2019 tire options and the Michelin IMSA Encore. Part one, outlining Michelin’s entry into this expanded role, is linked here.

When will you begin on track activity?

“As we shared with the manufacturers and teams at Daytona, we are working in close collaboration with IMSA to offer on-track opportunities during the course of the 2018 season to help them prepare for 2019. We will offer opportunities to try our proposed IMSA tires on key IMSA tracks in relevant climatic conditions.”

When and where will these on-track opportunities take place?

“We are awaiting confirmation of a date at Daytona International Speedway this spring. We will have an opportunity at Road Atlanta on June 11, and then Watkins Glen (July 2), Road America (August 6) and Road Atlanta (October 15) which are the Mondays after their respective IMSA races.”

How many teams will be invited to these on-track opportunities?

“We will offer invitations to representatives of each team and their associated vehicle or chassis manufacturers in Prototype (DPi/LMP2), GTD, Michelin SportsCar Challenge and LMP3 to run one car at each on track opportunity. Each team will be offered the opportunity to participate in at least one on-track day during 2018. Identification of the teams and manufacturers selected for these on-track sessions is being done in partnership with IMSA.”

What is the purpose of these track opportunity days?

“These opportunities will help teams become familiar with our Michelin tires and our technical and race operations teams to help them prepare for 2019. They will also provide IMSA and Michelin with relevant data.”