International Motor Sports Association
The International Motor Sports Association ( IMSA ) is an American auto racing organization based in Braselton, Georgia. The IMSA is a membership association in the ACCUS, and held, inter alia, American Le Mans Series. The IMSA was founded in 1969 by John Bishop, a former employee of SCCA ( Sports Car Club of America ) and the founder of NASCAR, Bill France senior.
History
The Sikorsky employee John Bishop began in the 1950s with the motor sports and learned the SCCA official Dave Allen know. Allen Bishop offered a management position in an SCCA Committee elected Bishop accepted and moved to Westport ( Connecticut ).
Bishop defined in the SCCA technical regulations, organized championships and was responsible for the creation of the club magazines and event programs. 1969 John Bishop resigned after internal disputes and left the SCCA.
1948 Bill France Senior had already founded a professional oval track series, NASCAR and wanted to establish for street racing such series. Following discussions with Bishop 1969 IMSA was officially lifted out of the baptism. France transferred Bishop sole control over the organization, even though France 75 % and Bishop held 25 % of shares.
In October 1969, the IMSA organized the first race, an event with Formula Vee and Formula Ford vehicles at Pocono Raceway. January 1989 Bishop sold his shares in the company.
Current series
- American Le Mans Series
- IMSA Prototype Lites
- IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge
Former series
- International Sedan Series
- IMSA GTP series
- IMSA GT Championship
- IMSA Radial Sedan Series
- American Challenge
- IMSA Renault Cup
- IMSA Showroom Stock
- IMSA Supercar Championship Bridgestone
- World Sports Racer
- Formula BMW USA
- Atlantic Championship
- Panoz Racing Series