– Debuting 2026 Championship Showcases GT-3, GT-4 and GT Lite (GTL) Cars Made Popular in NASPORT and National and Regional Competition
– Eight Race Championship Features Four VSCDA Races in the North at Gingerman, Blackhawk, Grattan and Road America and a Quartet of HSR Rounds at Sebring, Road Atlanta and Watkins Glen
– HSR/VSCDA North-South GT Challenge Debuts February 12 – 15 at the HSR Sebring Pistons and Props presented by Alan Jay Automotive Network
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (January 9, 2026) – Officials from Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) and the Vintage Sports Car Drivers Association (VSCDA) announced today the introduction of the all-new HSR and VSCDA North-South GT Challenge that will showcase the popular era of GT-3, GT-4 and GT Lite (GTL) race-prepared, small-bore GT cars throughout the North and South regions this year. The unique championship features five races – four VSCDA events and one HSR race – in the North along with a trio of HSR races in the Southeast. The season begins next month, February 12 – 15, at the HSR Sebring Pistons and Props presented by Alan Jay Automotive Network at Sebring International Raceway.
Downsized versions of 1990’s era Trans-Am, IMSA GTO/GTS and All-American GT (AAGT) cars, GT-3, GT-4 and GTL machines are tube-frame and winged full-competition cars powered by race-prepared small-bore engines and fitted with the bodywork of the top small sports cars, coupes and sedans of the day. Popular GT-3, GT-4 and GTL machinery includes the Mazda RX-7, Toyota Celica, Nissan 200SX, Acura RSX, Mazda RX-3 and other familiar compact sports cars and sports sedans of the era.
Both GT-3 and GT-4 (not to be confused with the global-standard GT3 and GT4 platforms at the foundation of IMSA GTD, GTD Pro, GS and many other major GT racing series today) and GTL raced in national and regional competition in addition to being the featured cars in the popular Westcoast NASPORT series that ran competitively well into this century. Now just past their competition prime and timing out in some series, competitors are finding a new home – and more track time than ever before – in HSR and VSCDA competition.
“For me and so many others, GT-3, GTL and even their GT-4 counterparts, truly represented a golden era in American road racing leading into and at the turn of the century,” said HSR President John Doonan. “As these cars reach the end of their competition cycle with other racing organizations, we have heard from several competitors – some already racing in HSR and VSCDA – looking to find a new home for these quick little cars they love to race and our fans love to see. It is an honor to once again partner with VSCDA in creating this exciting new championship that is in direct response to what so many competitors are seeking. We will see you in Sebring next month!”
In addition to the Sebring opener, the HSR South races include April’s HSR The Mitty presented by Hagerty, April 23 – 26, and the HSR Classic Road Atlanta 10 Hour and HSR Fall Historics, September 17 – 20, both at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta (MRRA). The fourth points-paying HSR “South” event on the schedule, the HSR Classic Watkins Glen Six Hour presented by Mission Foods, takes place a bit further North at Watkins Glen International (WGI), June 11 – 14.
The HSR Glen race complements VSCDA’s quartet of points-paying races at Gingerman Raceway, May 16 – 17, the June 19 – 21 at Blackhawk Farms, Grattan Raceway, August 14 – 16 and Road America, September 18 – 20.
The season culminates with a winner-take-all HSR and VSCDA North-South GT Challenge finale at the HSR Classic Daytona 24 Hour, presented by Mission Foods and the HSR Daytona Historics, November 11 – 15, at Daytona International Speedway (DIS).
“The VSCDA is very excited to once again be joining forces with HSR,” said VSCDA Vice President Jim Donato. “It is our goal to have a long-standing North-South Challenge. Together we can offer these drivers an opportunity to race in the vintage and historic sprit. VSCDA and HSR is where safety, friendship, camaraderie and fun takes center stage. Where a great on track dice with friends makes memories for a lifetime. Join us for a great year of racing.”
Competitors are encouraged to run the majority of the races across the Eastern U.S., with preliminary plans calling for each team and driver only earning points for their four best series finishes, regardless of region. A minimum of two races will be required in either the North or the South to qualify for the season finale. A season champion will be crowned at the year-end HSR awards celebration held each December at Sebring.
In HSR, North-South championship competitors will compete for series and overall honors within their appropriately signed run groups – Group 2/3 or Group 6/8 – which respectively are part of the new HSR Vintage Cup presented by Sasco and the HSR Historic Trophy presented by WeatherTech.
The VSCDA and HSR first partnered in 2020 when Donato and his team welcomed HSR in a guest appearance at the Elkhart Lake Vintage Festival XXXV that September. The kind invite marked HSR’s return to competition in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the door remained open for several more years with HSR returning to the popular ELVF event through 2022.
Next up for HSR is the second annual IMSA Classic that sets the stage for the 2026 Rolex 24 At Daytona at Daytona International Speedway (DIS), January 21 – 25.
2026 HSR and VSCDA North-South GT Challenge Event Schedule by Venue*
February 12 – 15 – HSR South: Sebring International Raceway
April 23 – 26 – HSR South: Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta
May 16 – 17 – VSCDA North: Gingerman Raceway
June 11 – 14 – HSR South: Watkins Glen International
June 19 – 21 – VSCDA North: Blackhawk Farms
August 14 – 16 – VSCDA North: Grattan Raceway
September 18 – 20 – HSR South: Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta; VSCDA North: Road America
November 11 – 15 – HSR and VSCDA GT Challenge Final: Daytona International Speedway
About VSCDA: The Vintage Sports Car Drivers Association (VSCDA) is the Midwest’s premier vintage racing organization. VSCDA started in the Chicagoland area in 1978 and promotes camaraderie and offers the most track time focusing on racing in the vintage spirit. Visit us at www.vscda.org
About HSR: An International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) property, Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) was formed in the mid-1970s with an event at Road Atlanta. There was one goal then and it remains true today: to celebrate the racing cars from the past. As a “time machine” of sights and sounds, HSR provides a venue for competitors and spectators alike to share in the wonderful history and excitement created by the cars that competed at race tracks around the world. HSR currently sanctions eight vintage and historic racing events at some of the world’s most renowned race tracks, including Daytona International Speedway, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Sebring International Raceway and more. The complete schedule and full event information can be found on HSR’s website at www.HSRRace.com. Look for the HSR Channel on YouTube and follow HSR on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/HSRrace/, on Twitter X @HSR_race and on Instagram @HistoricSportscarRacing.
*Schedule subject to change
