1996 SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge
The 1996 SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge season was the seventh running of the Sports Car Club of America's World Challenge series. It was the final season before a thirteen-year-long rivalry in touring car between BMW, Mazda, and Acura. This was ended in 2010 with the adoption of a new touring car class, moving the older touring cars to a new "GTS" group. It was also the final combined class year until 2010. This was also the final season with more than two classes until 2010. It was the first season with more than three classes since 1992. Eagle got its final wins after being a major competitor in the series since the beginning. The brand was discontinued only a few years later. Also getting its final wins was the Oldsmobile brand, having also been competitive for several years. A notable entry was the Mosler Intruder, a supercar which was never seen again after 1996.
All but the final two races had S1, S2, T1, and T2 groups. For the races at Reno and Sears Point, a "GTA" group was added.
Results
Round | Circuit | Winning Driver Winning Driver Winning Driver Winning Driver Winning Driver | Winning Vehicle Winning Vehicle Winning Vehicle Winning Vehicle Winning Vehicle |
1 | St. Petersburg | Did not participate Almo Coppelli Did not participate Alain Chebeir Did not participate | Did not participate Callaway Corvette Did not participate BMW 325is Did not participate |
2 | Phoenix | Did not participate Willy Lewis Did not participate Charlie Downes Did not participate | Did not participate Eagle Talon Did not participate BMW M3 Did not participate |
3 | Mosport | Did not participate Kermit Upton III Aldo Coppelli Charlie Downes Did not participate | Did not participate BMW M3 Callaway Corvette BMW M3 Did not participate |
4 | Lime Rock | Did not participate Boris Said III Aldo Coppelli Paul Booher Did not participate | Did not participate Callaway Corvette Ford Mustang Saturn SC Did not participate |
5 | Minneapolis | Did not participate Greg Theiss Shane Lewis Chuck Hemmingson Did not participate | Did not participate Eagle Talon Mosler Intruder Oldsmobile Achieva Did not participate |
6 | Texas | Did not participate Greg Theiss Did not participate Michael Galati Did not participate | Did not participate Eagle Talon Did not participate Honda Prelude Did not participate |
7 | Tros-Rivieres | Did not participate Lou Gigliotti Shane Lewis Did not participate Did not participate | Did not participate Saleen Mustang Mosler Intruder Did not participate Did not participate |
8 | Watkins Glen | Martin Snow Lou Gigliotti Steve Saleen Peter Schwartzott Did not participate | Porsche 911 GT2 Saleen Mustang Saleen Mustang Honda Prelude Did not participate |
9 | Reno | Andy Pilgrim Peter Cunningham Rob Rizzo Michael Galati Vic Rice | Porsche 911 GT2 Acura NSX Saleen Mustang Honda Prelude Pontiac Grand Prix |
10 | Sears Point | Melanie Snow Peter Cunningham Shane Lewis Paul Booher Vic Rice | Mosler Intruder Acura NSX Mosler Intruder Saturn SC Pontiac Grand Prix |