Veteran motorsports govt Chris Ward (pictured beneath) has been named President of Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR), taking excessive management place of the IMSA-owned classic and historic sports activities automobile racing sanctioning physique from David Hinton. The administration bulletins have been made at the moment by IMSA President John Doonan because the group prepares for this month’s season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona, January 25 – 29, and HSR makes plans for its first occasion of the yr, the Spring Fling at Sebring Worldwide Raceway, March 8 – 10.
Picture: Jamey Worth
“We sit up for welcoming Chris Ward, who’s already a well-known and shut colleague within the paddock, to the IMSA staff as HSR President and on the similar time couldn’t be happier that David Hinton will proceed as an advisor and a member of the HSR Board of Administrators,” Doonan stated. “The timing of and other people concerned on this optimistic change couldn’t be higher. David first approached us final yr to debate a succession plan to happen in 2024 for the HSR President place on the similar time Chris turned accessible. All of it fell into place completely as we set the muse for the following section of HSR’s progress. It’s our intent to proceed to give attention to the core values that HSR was based on, that are to develop classic and historic racing in North America.”
Ward most just lately served as Head of Motorsport for Lamborghini North America from 2014 to 2023 the place amongst his huge managerial obligations was the oversight of all day-to-day operations of the IMSA-sanctioned Lamborghini Tremendous Trofeo North America Collection, together with sanctioning physique coordination, staff and buyer liaison and acquisition, elements provide chain administration and logistics and hospitality operations.
Below Ward’s administration and route, the Tremendous Trofeo collection reached unprecedented progress, significantly in recent times. Document fields and capability grids have been commonplace and new automobile orders for pending seasons of competitors have continuously been early promote outs.
Previous to his tenure at Lamborghini Ward co-founded a profitable experiential advertising company primarily based in Detroit. Its major focus was advertising, PR and occasions for luxurious manufacturers akin to Audi, Bombardier, Bentley Motors, and Breitling.
“It’s a large honor to be requested to steer HSR going ahead on this new function,” Ward stated. “I’d prefer to thank Ed Bennett and John Doonan for this super alternative and naturally David Hinton for agreeing to stay as an advisor, guaranteeing a seamless transition for our buyer groups and drivers. HSR is on a terrific progress trajectory and I’m so trying ahead to being part of its thrilling future.”
Picture: Patrick Tremblay
Hinton (pictured above) made the choice to step apart because the second anniversary of IMSA’s acquisition of HSR approaches later this month. He served as HSR President for the final 11 years after buying majority possession of the group in 2012 in partnership with the late George Tuma. Below Hinton’s management, HSR has seen its largest progress intervals in its greater than 40-year historical past as he guided each the group’s competitors and enterprise operations.
A milestone achievement was the sale of HSR to IMSA that Hinton steered consistent with Doonan following Tuma’s passing and the lack of their possession accomplice and fashionable race automobile driver Jim Tempo in late 2020. Hinton additionally labored with the administration of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in bringing HSR in because the sanctioning physique for the globally fashionable Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion historic occasions starting in 2021. He’ll function the official HSR consultant on the Monterey Reunions in 2024 and stay on the Board of Administrators for HSR.
Hinton additionally continues to function his longstanding championship and race-winning historic racing staff Heritage Motorsports out of Clearwater, Florida.
“Whereas I’m leaving my acquainted and present function, I’m actually not going away and can proceed to have an everyday presence within the HSR paddock each as an advisor and operating Heritage Motorsports,” Hinton stated. “I’m additionally deeply honored to be requested to serve on the HSR Board of Administrators, however after 11 years operating two firms, my accomplice in all issues Denise and I’ve determined it’s time to decelerate. I can’t thank John Doonan, Ed Bennett and everybody at IMSA sufficient for all the belief and assist over the previous few years and sit up for serving to Chris Ward all that I can to maintain HSR’s strong progress going.
“I hope I’ve carried out George and Jim proud – I do know they might have been over the moon concerning the IMSA possession – and I additionally wish to thank earlier house owners and founders Joe Pendergast, Howard Turner, Steve Simpson and Peter McLauglin who have been key in making HSR what it’s at the moment. It has been a privilege to work with our devoted HSR workers over the past decade plus – they’re the very best within the enterprise – and we’re all fortunate to have such a unbelievable group of HSR member rivals who’re unwavering supporters and make our jobs pleasant. I’ll see you all at Sebring in a few months.”
