Sports car team founded by Bennett in 2010 won 15 championships, including LMP3 title in 2022.
The IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship is losing a championship team.
Team owner Jon Bennett announced on Thursday that CORE autosport was ceasing operations. CORE has been on of the more successful teams in sports-car competition since forming in 2010.
Bennet and co-driver Colin Braun went out on top, winning both driver and team championships in the LMP3 category in 2022. Through the years, Bennett has fielded teams in IMSA Prototype Lites, IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Global Rallycross.
Jon Bennett of CORE autosport
IMSA
In the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, dating back to the merger of the American Le Mans and Grand Am Series that began with the 2014 season, CORE has raced in the Prototype Challenge, GT, GTLM, Prototype, DPi and LMP3 categories.
In driver, team and endurance cup categories, CORE has captured 15 championships.
Bennett released the following statement on Thursday:
“From towing a race car to SCCA races in 1992 to winning races in IMSA’s top prototype class with Colin Braun in 2018, I have had an amazing, dreamlike experience in the sport I love so much,” Bennett said. “This was a tremendously difficult decision, but as life outside of racing continues to take my focus away from the driver’s seat, I recognize that it’s time to bring this wild ride to an end.
“Thank you to Colin Braun who dedicated 10 years of his career to deliver flawless, world-class speed to CORE autosport. Colin’s speed and spirit enabled our team to achieve great success and multiple championships in IMSA. Most of all, I gained a wonderful, life-long friend.
“Thank you, Morgan Brady, Jeff Braun, Brian Colangelo and all of the CORE autosport team for the tireless pursuit of perfection and excellence. Our on-track success originates from the pit wall and the endless hours of preparation.
“Thank you to Porsche Motorsport for the honor of representing their brand for seven seasons. Under the leadership of Morgan Brady, CORE and Porsche collaborated to add many memorable victories and championships to Porsche’s long history of excellence.
“I was a fan of IMSA during the fire-throwing GTP days of the early 1980’s and it has been an honor to be an IMSA competitor for the past 13 seasons. Thank you, IMSA, for all of your support.
“Now, it’s time (once again) to unclip the HANS device and become a spectator. I look forward to the rebirth of GTP factory prototype racing and the spectacular season ahead for IMSA. I will be there, just behind the chain link fence, watching with the excitement of a child.
“Thank you to all the fans who cheered us along the way.”
Mike Pryson Mike Pryson covered auto racing for the Jackson (Mich.) Citizen Patriot and MLive Media Group from 1991 until joining Autoweek in 2011.
Keyword: IMSA Champion Jon Bennett, CORE Autosport Closing Racing Operation