IMSA News: IMSA to rule with an iron fist in 2026

IMSA has introduced a stringent new rule for the 2026 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season that effectively prohibits teams, drivers, manufacturers, and associated personnel from publicly criticizing or commenting on the Balance of Performance (BoP) process.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

The clause, buried in the updated sporting regulations released in early January 2026, mirrors a similar policy implemented by the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2023 and has been dubbed a “gag order” by observers.

Article 2.2.3.a of the 2026 regulations states: “Manufacturers, Competitors, Drivers, Constructors, and any persons or entities associated with their entries must not attempt to influence the establishment of the Balance of Performance (BoP) or make any public comments regarding the BoP process, methodology, data, or outcomes, including but not limited to statements made through traditional media, digital media, or social media platforms.”

The rule goes further by granting IMSA sole discretion to determine violations “regardless of intent,” with penalties possible at any time—before, during, or after events. This broad authority underscores the sanctioning body’s firm control over discussions surrounding BoP, a tool used to equalize performance among diverse manufacturers in classes like GTP and GTD.

The policy aligns IMSA closely with the WEC, where a comparable rule has largely silenced direct public complaints, though teams have resorted to euphemisms—such as referring to BoP as “she who shall not be named.” In the WEC, the only notable enforcement came in 2024, when Toyota Gazoo Racing received a suspended €10,000 fine for comments deemed critical of the process’s transparency.

IMSA’s move comes despite the series historically facing fewer high-profile BoP controversies than the WEC, where longer race formats amplify performance discrepancies. In 2025, IMSA adjusted its BoP methodology mid-season in response to Porsche Penske Motorsport’s early dominance in GTP, aiming for faster convergence through data-driven changes. President John Doonan described the process as “transparent” and focused on “enlivening the field.”

The timing of the rule’s announcement—just weeks before the Roar Before the Rolex 24 and the season-opening Daytona 24 Hours—has raised questions in the paddock. While no official team statements have emerged criticizing the clause (perhaps tellingly), social media reactions from insiders highlight concerns over restricted speech, with some comparing it unfavorably to expectations of IMSA’s more open culture compared to the FIA.

Critics argue the rule shields BoP decisions from scrutiny, even as ongoing collaborations between IMSA, the ACO, and FIA aim for a “simpler” performance management system in 2026. Proponents see it as preventing undue influence and maintaining focus on racing.

As the 2026 season approaches, teams will navigate this new landscape cautiously, knowing that even indirect remarks could invite penalties under IMSA’s iron-fisted oversight of BoP discourse.