IMSA 50th Anniversary Book Released

Photo: IMSA

IMSA has revealed a significant part of its 50th anniversary celebration with the unveiling of their book “IMSA: Celebrating 50 Years” at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

The revel came during the annual Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. IMSA has raced at the track for five decades with the first race coming in 1974.

IMSA President Scott Atherton received the first copy of the book from Racer Studio President and CEO Paul Pfanner.

“IMSA has been looking forward to this day since we decided to produce a book to capture the essence of our first 50 years,” Atherton said.

“The book is so well written the stories jump off the pages and the photography throughout the book will make this a must-have for any fan.

The book is a vital part of the sanctioning body’s golden anniversary that takes place in 2019, telling the story of its formation between John and Peggy Bishop and Bill France, Sr., to the first race at Pocono in 1969, to its current standing as a sanctioning body that will lead seven motorsport platforms in 2019 including its flagship – the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Within its 216 pages lie the tales of the people who have made IMSA what it is today.

Joining Atherton on stage was IMSA’s all-time wins leader Scott Pruett, legendary driver Hurley Haywood and long-time IMSA employee Mark Raffauf

Each of them recalled stories from the past and what racing and working in IMSA has meant to them, in an event hosted by FOX Sports’ Justin Bell.

Besides the history of IMSA, the book gives an inside look at the “Cars, Drivers and Manufacturers” that have been an integral part of the sport’s history.

The “Events” chapter highlights the biggest races over the years but then brings back the memories of past races that are no longer contested.

Pruett and Haywood took part in an autograph signing following the presentation for those lucky fans who are now among the first to purchase the book.

The limited edition publication is now on sale by visiting imsa.com/50 and will be sold at tracks during the remaining races in 2018 and in 2019.

Photo: IMSA