IMSA Celebrates 50th Anniversary in 2019
What began as the sanctioning body for a
Formula Ford and Formula Vee race at Pocono
Raceway in October 1969 has grown over
five decades to become an international
auto racing powerhouse specializing in
world-class sports car competition,
and next year, the International Motor
Sports Association (IMSA) turns
50.
To commemorate the golden
anniversary, IMSA and stakeholders
including series
partners, manufacturers,
teams, drivers, event promoters
and fans will join together in a season-long 50th
Anniversary celebration.
Sebring has been a key part of IMSA history. In 1973 the
first IMSA sanctioned 12 hour race at Sebring was won by
legends Hurley Haywood and Peter Gregg.
“Almost 50 years ago, Bill France Sr. and John and
Peggy Bishop laid a foundation that today supports one
of the most prominent auto racing organizations in the
world,” said IMSA President Scott Atherton. “The story
of IMSA over the past five decades is truly fascinating
and will be told throughout our 2019 50th Anniversary
celebration in several ways by a variety of stakeholders.
“From historic race car liveries and commemorative
logos to many other surprises throughout the season
for fans at-track and watching through our newfor
2019 partnership with
NBC Sports, it will be a
year-long celebration for all
to enjoy.”
A key component of the celebration
is the official 50th
Anniversary IMSA logo that was
publicly unveiled for the first time
this evening as part of the State of the
Series presentation at Road America.
The logo – which will be featured on items
such as uniforms, race car liveries and commemorative
merchandise in 2019 — incorporates
many elements of the traditional IMSA
logo, including the 27-degree angle from vertical center and
the familiar “apex arrow” that has long been a part of IMSA’s
brand identity.
Enhancing the logo is the use of gold to signify
IMSA’s “golden” anniversary, as well as laurels that
symbolize excellence, honor and victory. A secondary
commemorative logo, which replaces the standard
red in the current IMSA logo with gold and features
the addition of “Est. 1969” also was unveiled and will
be used throughout 2019 in selected applications
as well.
IMSA will be centering its celebration around four
cornerstones — “Drivers and Teams,” “Tracks,”
“Manufacturers” and “Fans”. These pillars will be
highlighted at 2019 events and will have a presence
the entire season as the foundation of what has
made IMSA what it is today.
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