The 1981 Can Am series season was the fourteenth running of the Sports Car Club of America's prototype-based series, and the fifth running of the revived series. Geoff Brabham was declared champion, despite only winning two races. Chevrolet again dominated the season. The dominant chassis manufacturers were March, Lola, Holbert, Frissbee, and VDS. IndyCar drivers Al Unser and Bobby Rahal also podiumed at Road America[1] and Mosport,[2] respectively.
The two liter class went to Jim Trueman in his Ralt.
| Round | Circuit | Winning driver | Team | Car | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mosport |  Teo Fabi |  Paul Newman Racing | March-Chevrolet | |
| 2 | Mid-Ohio | Teo Fabi | Paul Newman Racing | March-Chevrolet | |
| 3 | Watkins Glen | Al Holbert | Holbert Racing | Holbert-Chevrolet | |
| 4 | Road America |  Geoff Brabham | Racing Team VDS | Lola-Chevrolet | |
| 5 | Edmonton | Geoff Brabham | Racing Team VDS | VDS-Chevrolet | |
| 6 | Trois-Rivières | Al Holbert | Holbert Racing | Holbert-Chevrolet | |
| 7 | Mosport | Teo Fabi | Paul Newman Racing | March-Chevrolet | |
| 8 | Riverside | Al Holbert | Holbert Racing | Holbert-Chevrolet | |
| 9 | Laguna Seca | Teo Fabi | Paul Newman Racing | March-Chevrolet | |
| 10 | Caesars Palace | Danny Sullivan | Garvin Brown Racing | Frissbee-Chevrolet |