The inaugural class for the IMSA Corridor of Fame has been chosen and consists of 4 drivers, three IMSA founders and 4 iconic race vehicles from all through the sanctioning physique’s 54-year historical past.
The inductees will likely be honored as a part of October’s WeatherTech Night time of Champions held following the Motul Petit Le Mans season finale to rejoice the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and crown sequence champions.
The 4 drivers chosen for induction into the inaugural IMSA Corridor of Fame class – Peter Gregg, Hurley Haywood, Al Holbert and Scott Pruett – all have been multiple-time IMSA champions and multi-time winners of the world’s most prestigious sports activities automotive races. Becoming a member of the inaugural IMSA Corridor of Fame class are the three founders of the Worldwide Motor Sports activities Affiliation: John and Peggy Bishop and Invoice France Sr.
Along with the seven folks chosen to the primary IMSA Corridor of Fame class, 4 iconic race vehicles – the Chevrolet Corvette C5-R, Ferrari 333 SP, Mazda RX-7 GTU and the Porsche 962 – even have been chosen for enshrinement.
“These seven people and 4 race vehicles are the epitome of excellence in IMSA and international sports activities automotive racing,” stated IMSA President John Doonan. “There can solely be one inaugural class, and every of those inductees unquestionably qualifies as a ‘First Poll Corridor of Famer.’ We couldn’t be prouder to welcome John and Peggy, ‘Massive Invoice,’ Peter, Hurley, Al and Scott – in addition to the C5-R, 333 SP, RX-7 GTU and 962 – into the IMSA Corridor of Fame.”
These inductees have been chosen from a bigger group decided by a nominating committee comprised of previous and current IMSA executives and an esteemed group of media members. BDO, which was launched as a company associate of IMSA earlier this 12 months, validated the accuracy of the 2023 IMSA Corridor of Fame voting outcomes.
Plans name for a mixture of influential folks and race vehicles to be inducted into the IMSA Corridor of Fame every year.
“We’re grateful to our nominating committee for thoughtfully presenting a number of extremely profitable race vehicles and key gamers from the IMSA paddock that have been deserving of our consideration,” stated Doonan. “It was difficult to scale back the preliminary listing of nominees right into a smaller group for a ‘closing poll,’ and even harder to determine who could be chosen for this 12 months’s class of inductees. We’re assured on this 12 months’s alternatives and know that lots of these nominees will in the future be enshrined within the IMSA Corridor of Fame as effectively.”
The IMSA Corridor of Fame will stay in an internet atmosphere. A standalone web site will launch later this 12 months.
IMSA Corridor of Fame Class of 2023
John and Peggy Bishop
Husband and spouse co-founded the Worldwide Motor Sports activities Affiliation (IMSA) together with NASCAR founder Invoice France Sr. Led IMSA from 1969 by 1989. John Bishop served as IMSA President all through his tenure, whereas Peggy managed IMSA workers, registration, timing and different important processes. Grew IMSA from sanctioning physique for System Ford races on small ovals to pinnacle of worldwide sports activities automotive racing. Previous to forming IMSA, John Bishop beforehand labored for the Sports activities Automotive Membership of America (SCCA), the place he performed an instrumental function within the creation and operation of Can-Am, Trans-Am and System 5000.
Invoice France Sr.
Founding father of NASCAR co-founded IMSA in 1969 with John and Peggy Bishop. Offered preliminary monetary help for IMSA utilizing a enterprise mannequin based mostly on the profitable NASCAR inventory automotive program. Introduced worldwide sports activities automotive endurance racing to Daytona Worldwide Speedway with a three-hour race in 1962, which expanded to 24 hours in 1966. A motorsport visionary who supported inventory vehicles, sports activities vehicles, bikes and some other type of the game that might match into the France household’s rising portfolio of racing services.
Peter Gregg
Considered one of IMSA’s first stars and essentially the most profitable GT driver of the Seventies. Co-drove with Hurley Haywood to the primary IMSA GT race victory at VIRginia Worldwide Raceway in 1971. Ten-time IMSA champion (1971 GTU, 1973 GT CHALLENGE, 1973 GTO, 1974 GT CHALLENGE, 1974 GTO, 1975 GTO, 1978 GT CHALLENGE, 1978 GTX, 1979 GTX) and four-time general winner of the Rolex 24 At Daytona (1973, 1975, 1976, 1978).
Hurley Haywood
Winningest general main endurance race driver of all time. 5 general Rolex 24 At Daytona victories (1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1991). Three 24 Hours of Le Mans general victories (1977, 1979, 1981). Two Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring victories (1973, 1981). Co-drove to first IMSA GT race victory with Peter Gregg at VIRginia Worldwide Raceway in 1971. 4-time IMSA champion (1971 GTU, 1972 GT CHALLENGE, 1972 GTU, 1994 NORTH AMERICAN ENDURANCE CUP CLASS 1).
Al Holbert
Most general race victories in IMSA with 49. Seven-time IMSA champion (1976 GT CHALLENGE, 1976 GTO, 1977 GT CHALLENGE, 1977 GTO, 1983 GTP, 1985 GTP, 1986 GTP). Grew to become fifth driver in historical past to win main endurance racing “triple crown” (Daytona, Le Mans, Sebring) and is one among solely 9 drivers to win every race general. Rolex 24 At Daytona winner in 1986 and 1987. Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring winner in 1976 and 1981. Three-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner (1983, 1986, 1987).
Scott Pruett
9 IMSA championships (1986 GTO, 1986 GT Endurance, 1988 GTO, 2004 GRAND-AM DP, 2008 GRAND-AM DP, 2010 GRAND-AM DP, 2011 GRAND-AM DP, 2012 GRAND-AM DP, 2018 GRAND-AM DP ENDURANCE CUP). Tied with Hurley Haywood for many general Rolex 24 At Daytona general victories with 5 (1994, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013) and all-time chief in Rolex 24 class wins with 10. Total Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring winner in 2014. Owns 60 profession IMSA victories, which is second on all-time IMSA winner’s listing.
Chevrolet Corvette C5-R
Claimed 31 victories, 50 podium finishes and 24 pole positions in 55 races from 1999 by 2004. Received 4 constructor’s championships, 4 group championships and three driver championships. Earned general victory in 2001 Rolex 24 At Daytona. Had three class victories in 24 Hours of Le Mans (2001, 2002 and 2004). Received Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring (2002, 2003 and 2004).
Ferrari 333 SP
Claimed 56 victories and 69 pole positions in 144 races worldwide from 1994 by 2003. Received IMSA constructors’ championships in 1995 and 1998, an IMSA driver championship in 1995 and an IMSA group championship in 1998. Received Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring 3 times (1995, 1997, 1998). Received 1998 Rolex 24 At Daytona.
Mazda RX-7 GTU
Received GTU class (for engines with a displacement underneath 2.5 liters) in debut race at Daytona in 1979 with two-rotor rotary engine. Two Mazda manufacturing unit vehicles completed on the rostrum in each race in 1980 en path to championship. Program shifted to privateer entries from 1981 by 1987 with RX-7 drivers claiming seven straight GTU championships. Automotive was instrumental in launching the careers of legendary IMSA drivers together with Scott Pruett, Tommy Kendall, Invoice Auberlen and lots of others.
Porsche 962
Debuted on the Daytona 24 Hours in 1984 with Mario and Michael Andretti as co-drivers and received the pole place. Led the race earlier than technical issues eliminated it from rivalry. First IMSA victory got here in 1984 six-hour race at Watkins Glen. Received Daytona 24 Hours 5 instances (1985-87, 1989 and 1991) and 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1985, 1987 and 1994. Received IMSA GTP championship yearly from 1985 to 1988.
