The series was founded in 1972, and was called "showroom stock." A revised version of the series came about in 1984. In 1985, the series got an odd title sponsor — the magazine Playboy. Escort radar detectors also sponsored the series from 1986 — 1989.

Each season usually consists of 10 rounds, with each class running a race at separate times. Each round is started from a standing start, as opposed to a rolling start as seen in NASCAR or the American Le Mans Series.

The series is named for the network that broadcasts it: SPEED Channel. When SPEED Channel was SpeedVision, it was called the SpeedVision World Challenge. SPEED Channel commentator Leigh Diffey was the voice of the series until the end of 2004. Beginning in 2005, Diffey was replaced by Greg Creamer.

A rival series organized by IMSA, the Firestone Firehawk Racing Series, also featured two similar classes of competition and existed in the 1980s and 90s.

Each race has a 50 minute time limit.

Classes

Grand Touring

Grand Touring (GT): Includes a variety of production displacements with no maximum. Forced induction is permitted and is used to equalize individual models. Sedans, coupes, convertibles and two-seat models are permitted. The cars can be rear-wheel, or all-wheel drive. Class horsepower range is 350 - 550 bhp.

Touring Car

Touring Car (TC): Cars up to 2.8-liters that are naturally aspirated are permitted. Forced induction permitted as if it came that way from the factory. The cars can be front-wheel, rear-wheel, or all-wheel drive. The cars must be able to seat four adults, and convertibles are not allowed. Class horsepower range is 240 - 290 bhp.

Current Vehicles

Grand Touring

• Aston Martin DB9- Sinders Racing/Rahal Letterman
• Cadillac CTS-V- Remington Cadillac
• Chevrolet Corvette Z06-R- CRP Racing, Unitech Racing, Foster Motorsports, Blackdog Racing, Whelen Motorsports/Marsh Racing, Bandit Racing
• Dodge Viper Competition Coupe- Naykid Racing, Daskalos Motorsport, Lala Motorsports, ACS Express, Woodhouse Performance, Mid-Florida Racing, Muzzy Racing, Horton Motorsports, Woodhouse Performance, Valaya Racing LLC, Big Daddy Racing
• Ford Mustang Cobra- ACS Express
• Lexus IS GT-F- DRC Motorsports
• Lotus Exige- Hypersport
• Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX- CA Sport
• Pontiac GTO- Tony Ave Racing
• Porsche 911 GT3 Cup- K-PAX Racing, Global Motorsports Group, At Speed Motorsports, Cantrell Motorsports, 911 Design, TR Racing, Team Hurricane Racing, DRC Motorsports
• Subaru WRX STi- ESX/GST Motorsports

Touring Car

• Acura Integra- MLR Motorsports
• Acura RSX- RealTime Racing
• Acura TSX- RealTime Racing, Branden Peterson Racing
• BMW 3-series- Martinelli Motorsports LLC, Tecmark, BimmerWorld, Competition Associates, Turner Motorsport
• Dodge SRT-4- DRC Motorsports
• Lexus IS 300- King Rat Motorsports
• Mazda6- Tri-Point Motorsports, Horton Motorsports, Tindol Motorsports
• Volkswagen Jetta- Chili Pepper Racing
• Volvo S40- Riley Racing

2008 Schedule

References

External links

• The SPEED World Challenge's official website
• SCCA Pro Racing
• Roster