Teams Gearing Up For Highly Anticipated Racing SeasonAs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship closes in on what likely will be a landmark 2017 season, with the dawning of a new Prototype era and a number of new GT race cars and teams joining highly competitive, established programs, entry applications are now being accepted by IMSA.The 2017 WeatherTech Championship season again opens with the 55th running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 28-29, kicking off a 12-event calendar including North America’s premier road racing facilities and events. The Prototype (P) class, which will feature a mix of new Daytona Prototype international (DPi) and Le Mans Prototype 2 (LM P2) race cars, will compete in 10 events next season.The GT Le Mans (GTLM) class – featuring the world’s finest factory-backed GT race cars – will have an 11-race schedule, while the GT Daytona (GTD) class – which adds Acura and Lexus to an already deep and extremely competitive field – will race in all 12 events. The venerable Prototype Challenge (PC) class will contest eight races in its final season of WeatherTech Championship competition in 2017.Entry forms have been distributed to 2016 WeatherTech Championship race teams and also are available for prospective new competitors at IMSAcompetitors.com. Entries will be accepted through 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Nov. 9. IMSA will review and confirm the selection of entries based on established criteria for the 2017 season.While the actual race season does not begin until Jan. 28, Daytona International Speedway will be busy with testing activity in November and December leading right up to the start of the season. A two-day test for all WeatherTech Championship teams will be held Nov. 15-16, 2016 on the 3.56-mile Daytona circuit, followed by a test for P, GTLM and GTD race cars on Dec. 13-14.A third test, the annual Roar Before The Rolex 24 At Daytona, which is required for all 2017 Rolex 24 competitors, is slated for Jan. 6-8, 2017. The Roar test also will include IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge competitors.