Indianapolis, Indiana – Valentino Rossi, one of the most celebrated figures in motorcycle racing history, is preparing for a new challenge at a familiar venue. The seven-time MotoGP World Champion, who carved his name into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway record books with a dramatic victory in the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP in 2008, is returning to the famous circuit this October. This time, however, he won’t be on two wheels but behind the wheel of a BMW competing in the Indianapolis 8 Hour presented by AWS.
Rossi’s connection with Indianapolis is steeped in history. From 2008 through 2015, he competed in every MotoGP event held at IMS, giving fans in Indiana and across the United States a chance to witness his brilliance up close. Now, almost a decade since his last MotoGP race at the Brickyard, the Italian icon is coming back for an endurance test unlike any he has faced here before. The race will be contested on the 14-turn, 2.439-mile road course, a layout that combines speed, precision, and stamina for drivers and machines alike.
For the Indianapolis 8 Hour, Rossi will team up with Charles Weerts and Kelvin van der Linde in the No. 46 BMW fielded by WRT. It’s a lineup with serious pedigree. Weerts was part of the BMW squad that won this event last year, while van der Linde currently leads the Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) drivers’ championship. Together, the trio represents one of the strongest entries on the grid as BMW chases its first IGTC manufacturers’ crown at Indianapolis.
Rossi has been steadily building his career in sports car racing since retiring from MotoGP, becoming a key figure in BMW’s factory GT3 program. He has already gained valuable experience in IGTC competition, racing at iconic venues such as Spa-Francorchamps, Bathurst, and the Gulf 12 Hours. His best results include runner-up finishes at the Bathurst 12 Hour earlier this year and in Abu Dhabi in 2023. Yet, his upcoming drive at Indianapolis marks his first attempt at an IGTC event on American soil—a debut that carries both prestige and expectation.
The race itself is the season finale for both the Intercontinental GT Challenge and Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS. The endurance contest will begin at 12:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 17, and conclude at 8:15 p.m., with the field of GT sports cars roaring into the twilight under headlights. This dramatic finish has become a trademark of the event, giving fans a rare opportunity to witness dusk racing at the Speedway.
Cars from world-class manufacturers including Acura, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and BMW will battle across eight grueling hours. Though engineered for competition, the GT entries bear a striking resemblance to their road-going cousins, offering spectators a tangible connection between the cars on track and the brands in showrooms. The Indianapolis 8 Hour stands out as the longest race of the year at the Racing Capital of the World, and it caps off a weekend packed with high-octane action.
In addition to the main event, a variety of support series will fill the schedule, making it a festival of sports car and touring car racing. Fans can look forward to doubleheader races from GT America powered by AWS, Pirelli GT4 America, TC America powered by Skip Barber Racing School, Toyota Gazoo Racing GR Cup North America, and McLaren Trophy America. These shorter sprint races will run from Thursday through Saturday, providing a steady flow of on-track excitement.
For those attending, Indianapolis Motor Speedway is offering multiple ways to enjoy the action. Single-day and multiday tickets are available at IMS.com, while fans on Sunday will be able to watch the racing for free from the Turn 2 Mounds, an area known for its excellent vantage points and electric atmosphere.
With Valentino Rossi’s name back on the entry list at IMS, the Indianapolis 8 Hour promises to be more than just another endurance race. It’s a chance to see one of motorsport’s most iconic competitors embrace a new chapter at a venue where he once celebrated on the top step of the podium. His presence adds an extra layer of anticipation to a weekend already loaded with speed, endurance, and spectacle.
