Daytona Beach, Florida - The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA)-sanctioned Mazda Prototype Lites Presented by Cooper Tires will compete Aug. 12-14 at the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières (GP3R) in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada.

Rounds 7 and 8 of the 14-round IMSA Development Series will take place during the 47th edition of the popular street circuit event, which also will host the IMSA-sanctioned Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Yokohama on its impressive weekend schedule. The addition of the two rounds completes the 2016 Prototype Lites schedule.

"IMSA is thrilled to put the finishing touches on our 2016 Mazda Prototype Lites Presented by Cooper Tires schedule with two rounds at the Grand Prix Trois-Rivières," said Randy Hembrey, IMSA senior series manager, Development & Single-Make Series. "The event is filled with so much history and tradition, and GP3R fans are so passionate for racing. We've always loved this race and the way the entire region embraces it. We know our teams, drivers and partners will enjoy the unique festival atmosphere and competition."

This will be the first appearance of prototype sports cars on the 10-turn, 1.5207-mile (2.433 km) temporary street circuit since 2003, when two classes of prototypes in the American Le Mans Series raced.

"We are proud to welcome the Mazda Prototype Lites Presented by Cooper Tires to the 47th running of our event," said Dominic Fugère, general manager of the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières. "It is a pleasure to have prototypes back on our street track for the first time since 2003, and we know that the teams and drivers lined up on Aug. 12, 13 and 14 will add a tremendous sporting and entertainment value for our loyal road-racing fans."

The GP3R event will mark the second race weekend in Canada for Mazda Prototype Lites Presented by Cooper Tires in 2016. The preceding event weekend, Rounds 5 and 6, will take place during the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship event weekend July 8-10 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario.

2016 Mazda Prototype Lites Presented by Cooper Tires Schedule

Date Venue

March 16-18 Sebring International Raceway, Sebring, Florida*
June 30-July 2 Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, New York*
July 8-10 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Bowmanville, Ontario*
Aug. 12-14 Grand Prix Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec
Aug. 26-28 VIRginia International Raceway, Danville, Virginia*
Sept. 9-11 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, California
Sept. 28-30 Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia*

* -- Companion to IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship events

Mazda Prototype Lites Presented by Cooper Tires

Mazda Prototype Lites Presented by Cooper Tires, an International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) Challenge Series, is in its 11th season in 2016. The series provides thrilling action and grooms drivers for future WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competition in the Prototype and Prototype Challenge classes.

The two classes of competition in the Mazda Prototype Lites Presented by Cooper Tires series take drivers and teams down unique, exciting roads of prototype sports car racing. Nimble, high-tech, purpose-built Lites 1 machines pack in the power with a 230-horsepower, 2-liter Mazda engine designed to prepare aspiring professionals for prototype competition in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and offer a challenging environment for mature semi-professional drivers, including competition in a Masters Championship. Equally capable and cost-effective Lites 2 machines offer new competitors a perfect introduction to the world-class competition offered by IMSA.

For more information about Mazda Prototype Lites Presented by Cooper Tires, visit www.imsa.com, follow #MazdaLites and @IMSA on Twitter or IMSA on Facebook.

About IMSA

The International Motor Sports Association, LLC (IMSA) was originally founded in 1969 and owns a long and rich history in sports car racing. Today, IMSA is the sanctioning body of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the premier sports car racing series in North America. IMSA also sanctions the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge and the Mazda Prototype Lites Presented by Cooper Tires, as well as four single-make series: Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama; Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Yokohama; Ferrari Challenge North America; and Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America. IMSA - a company within the NASCAR family - is the exclusive strategic partner in North America with the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) which operates the 24 Hours of Le Mans as a part of the FIA World Endurance Championship. The partnership enables selected IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competitors to earn automatic entries into the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. For more information, visit www.IMSA.com, www.twitter.com/IMSA or www.facebook.com/IMSA.

Canadian Rounds In BOLD