Trans Am rules require that vehicles be constructed with a purpose-built tube frame chassis. The top chassis builders include Riley & Scott, Roush, Weaver, Selix-Weaver, Hoerr and Rocketsports. The bodies are made of composites, such as carbon fiber, Kevlar and fiberglass. The rules stipulate that the cars should maintain the recognizable external features of the manufacturer's model while providing flares necessary to keep the tires inside the bodywork. SCCA Pro Racing uses body templates to ensure the shape of cars is within designated tolerances. Cars are required to use the stock windshield or an approved alternative, which has to be mounted in the original location and at the original angle. The rules also dictate the use of the stock taillights, which are often the only production parts on the vehicles. The popular models are the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang; however other vehicles eligible for the series include the Chevrolet Corvette, Dodge Daytona, Pontiac Grand Prix and Trans Am and Oldsmobile Cutlass. Car styles cannot be more than five years old. All cars are required to use an American-based engine. The rules allow a 358 cubic inch 9:1 V8 engine with a car weight of 2700-lbs or a 355 cubic inch tipping the scales at 2775-lbs. Another option is a V6 with a 275 cubic inch engine weighing 2500-lbs. But the most popular choice is a 311 cubic inch motor. All options must be fitted with a 4150 Holley carburetor.

The fourteen race season began in February at St. Petersburg and is followed by a second event in Florida at Homestead. Next, teams travel to the west coast to compete at Long Beach and Phoenix. Upon returning to the east, the championship makes stops at Mosport Park and Lime Rock Park. On the calendar next is a string of events conducted on temporary circuits at Detroit, Cleveland, Ohio, Minnesota and Trois-Rivieres, Quebec. In August, the championship visits Watkins Glen International and Road America. The penultimate weekend of the championship is held in Dallas, with the finale taking place on September 22nd in Reno.

To raise the excitement of the races, the sanctioning body, Sports Car Club of America, instituted a Fast Five qualifying procedure. The five fastest qualifiers were inverted for the start. This led to a number of different qualifying strategies – some teams decided to run slower for a better starting position while others tried to be the quickest and earn the bonus points.

Mosport was the fifth round of the 1996 Trans Am series. It was also the series’ nineteenth visit to track.