The inaugural class for the IMSA Corridor of Fame has been chosen and contains 4 drivers, three IMSA founders and 4 iconic race automobiles from all through the sanctioning physique’s 54-year historical past.
The inductees might be honored as a part of October’s WeatherTech Evening 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 had been multiple-time IMSA champions and multi-time winners of the world’s most prestigious sports activities automobile 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 individuals chosen to the primary IMSA Corridor of Fame class, 4 iconic race automobiles – 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 automobiles are the epitome of excellence in IMSA and world sports activities automobile 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, ‘Large 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 had 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 accomplice 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 individuals and race automobiles 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 automobiles and key gamers from the IMSA paddock that had been deserving of our consideration,” stated Doonan. “It was difficult to cut back the preliminary listing of nominees right into a smaller group for a ‘remaining poll,’ and even harder to determine who can be chosen for this 12 months’s class of inductees. We’re assured on this 12 months’s choices and know that lots of these nominees will at some point be enshrined within the IMSA Corridor of Fame as nicely.”
The IMSA Corridor of Fame will reside 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 means of 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 Formulation Ford races on small ovals to pinnacle of worldwide sports activities automobile racing. Previous to forming IMSA, John Bishop beforehand labored for the Sports activities Automobile Membership of America (SCCA), the place he performed an instrumental position within the creation and operation of Can-Am, Trans-Am and Formulation 5000.
Invoice France Sr.
Founding father of NASCAR co-founded IMSA in 1969 with John and Peggy Bishop. Offered preliminary monetary assist for IMSA utilizing a enterprise mannequin based mostly on the profitable NASCAR inventory automobile program. Introduced worldwide sports activities automobile 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 automobiles, sports activities automobiles, bikes and some other type of the game that might match into the France household’s rising portfolio of racing amenities.
Peter Gregg
Considered one of IMSA’s first stars and essentially the most profitable GT driver of the Nineteen 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 total winner of the Rolex 24 At Daytona (1973, 1975, 1976, 1978).
Hurley Haywood
Winningest total main endurance race driver of all time. 5 total Rolex 24 At Daytona victories (1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1991). Three 24 Hours of Le Mans total 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 total 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). Turned fifth driver in historical past to win main endurance racing “triple crown” (Daytona, Le Mans, Sebring) and is considered one of solely 9 drivers to win every race total. 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 total Rolex 24 At Daytona total victories with 5 (1994, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013) and all-time chief in Rolex 24 class wins with 10. General 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 means of 2004. Received 4 constructor’s championships, 4 staff championships and three driver championships. Earned total 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 means of 2003. Received IMSA constructors’ championships in 1995 and 1998, an IMSA driver championship in 1995 and an IMSA staff 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 beneath 2.5 liters) in debut race at Daytona in 1979 with two-rotor rotary engine. Two Mazda manufacturing facility automobiles completed on the rostrum in each race in 1980 en path to championship. Program shifted to privateer entries from 1981 by means of 1987 with RX-7 drivers claiming seven straight GTU championships. Automobile 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 competition. 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.
