2025-2026 IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship Instructions
- May 15, 2024
- IMSA
Table of Contents
IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship
2025-2026 Application Instructions, Terms & Conditions
2025-2026 IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship
International Motor Sports Association, LLC (“IMSA”), along with participating
IMSA sponsors as defined below, is pleased to offer the IMSA DIVERSE DRIVER
DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIP (“Scholarship”). The Scholarship aims to recruit
drivers with diverse backgrounds or experiences to the IMSA WeatherTech
SportsCar Championship, IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, and IMSA VP Racing
SportsCar Challenge (each a “Series”). IMSA and the Sponsors wish to provide
financial and product assistance to support a driver’s sports car racing
career.
Please carefully review these application instructions and terms & conditions
for the Scholarship before submitting an application.
APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS
Applications must be completed and submitted by both the driver and their team
in accordance with the deadlines as described in Section 2 below. Drivers may
only submit a single application with a single team. A team may submit
separate applications with multiple drivers, if desired.
Individual driver applicants must meet the following qualifications for
consideration as a Scholarship candidate:
- Be a legal resident of the 50 United States, D.C., or any U.S. Territory and seventeen (17) years old as of the application due date.
- Have some formal racing experience, which includes having a competition license issued by a recognized racing organization.
- Be able to demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and/or describe how one has overcome obstacles to reach goals.
- Have a commitment from a team competing in an applicable Series during the 2025 season in which driver is applying for the Scholarship. Team must submit an application upon finalist notice as described in Section 2.
- Must not be an employee, contractor, director, or officer, or a family member or household member of any such persons, of IMSA or the Sponsors, or their respective parent, subsidiary and affiliated companies.
DEADLINES & NOTIFICATION DATES.
- Applications may be submitted as early as Friday, February 9, 2024, but must be submitted online at IMSA’s website (https://www.imsa.com/diversity) before Friday, March 22, 2024, 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time (“ET”). Late applications will not be considered.
- Scholarship finalists will be notified on or before March 29, 2024.
- Drivers chosen as Scholarship candidates will receive a second portion to the online application which will require the finalists to submit (i) a commitment to participate with a team for the full 2025 season, (ii) a business plan, and (iii) a separate application for their team, all of which must be completed on or before Friday, August 9, 2024.
- Scholarship recipients will be chosen and notified on or prior to Friday, August 30, 2024.
- Selection of Scholarship Recipient: A panel of IMSA representatives will review all complete applications and select one driver and team combination to receive the Scholarship. The IMSA representatives will conduct a holistic review of each Scholarship finalist’s application, including factors such as the driver’s previous racing experience and the potential impact of the Scholarship award to the driver and team combination.
TO APPLY. Follow the instructions at https://www.imsa.com/diversity
(“Website”) to access the online IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship
Application Form. Applicants must complete all sections in the application. If
driver is selected as a Scholarship finalist, driver and their team will be
provided with a second portion of the online application as described in
Section 2. If any applicant driver is under the age of majority, a parent or
legal guardian must also sign the application. Once submitted, applications
become the property of IMSA and will not be returned.
IMSA CODE OF PERSONAL CONDUCT. Scholarship applicants and candidates must
abide by the IMSA code of personal conduct laid out each year in IMSA’s
Sporting Regulations for each IMSA owned and operated series.
SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS – 2025 SEASON. The Scholarship will be awarded in the
name of the driver, for the benefit of the team and driver combination. IMSA
in concert with Racing Force Group, Michelin North America, RECARO Automotive
North America, LAT Images, and VP Racing Fuels (“Sponsors”) will provide the
following for the 2025 season as part of the Scholarship:
A. One (1) Full Season Premium Pre-Paid Entry into one (1) of the classes in one (1) of the Series’ below, the values of which are approximate and subject to change:
-
IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship
GTP valued at one hundred twenty-eight thousand five hundred seventy five dollars ($128,575)
GTD PRO valued at one hundred fourteen thousand nine hundred twenty-five dollars ($114,925)
GTD valued at one hundred fourteen thousand nine hundred twenty-five dollars ($114,925)
LMP2 valued at one hundred twelve thousand eight hundred dollars ($112,800) -
IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge
GS valued at fifty-five thousand and forty dollars ($55,040)
TCR valued at fifty-one thousand eight hundred seventy dollars ($51,870) -
IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge
Valued at thirty four thousand nine hundred fifty dollars ($34,950)
B. One (1) set of racing tires for each of the events in the chosen Series,
each set valued at approximately two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500);
C. Two (2) fuel drums for each of the events in the chosen series, each drum
valued at approximately seven hundred dollars ($700);
D. Four (4) hospitality passes to each Series event where the IMSA WeatherTech
Paddock Club is in operation, each valued at five hundred ninety-nine dollars
($599);
E. Four (4) General Admission tickets to each Series event, each valued at
approximately one hundred dollars ($100);
F. One (1) Bell FIA 8860 helmet, valued at approximately four thousand dollars
($4,000); Six (6) Bell motocross-style helmets (or relevant equivalent) for
the recipient’s team, valued at approximately one thousand five hundred
dollars ($1,500) total; A merchandise credit worth up to two thousand dollars
($2,000) to be used towards one (1) OMP driving suit and other OMP products of
Scholarship recipient’s choice, if available;
G. One (1) RECARO seat, valued at approximately three thousand dollars
($3,000);
H. One (1) session of professional headshots by LAT Images of the Scholarship
recipient, valued at approximately one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500);
I. One (1) dedicated IMSA account manager for the year, valued at
approximately five thousand dollars ($5,000);
J. One (1) session on best practices for social media use, valued at
approximately one thousand dollars ($1,000); and
K. One (1) session on best practices for interviews, valued at approximately
one thousand dollars ($1,000).
The Scholarship recipient driver and team combination shall not be entitled to any payments, benefits, or entitlements beyond the Scholarship components described above. Tax consequences, if any, resulting from the team’s acceptance of the Scholarship shall be the sole responsibility of the team. Depending on the organizational structure of the team, IMSA may issue the team a 1099 in the amount equivalent to the award received. Under no circumstances shall acceptance of the Scholarship be deemed to create a relationship of employment, joint venture, or partnership as between the Sponsors and the Scholarship team/driver recipient. In order to participate in the 2024 events, Scholarship team/driver recipient shall cover their costs and expenses over and above the Scholarship award, including but not limited to the costs of the IMSA license and credentials, transportation and travel costs to the various racing venues, vehicle, vehicle fuel, parts and maintenance costs, and a variety of other expenses over the course of the full 2024 season. Scholarship recipients are solely responsible for all costs of participating in the 2024 season that are not expressly included in the Scholarship. In addition to the foregoing costs and expenses, Scholarship team/driver recipient will be required to include decals and patches for all of the Sponsors on the vehicle and all driver fire suits, in accordance with the latest IMSA Sporting Regulations & Series Supplementary Regulations (“Rules”). Decals and patches bearing Sponsor logos that are not specifically addressed in the Rules will be placed on the lower rocker panel of the vehicle at a size no greater than 4” x 6” and will be placed on the sleeves of the fire suits at a size no larger than the current mandatory series mark on the fire suit.
SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS – 2026 SEASON. Provided that the Scholarship
recipient continues to race for their team in 2026 (or other team competing in
the Series) and has continued to demonstrate strong moral character, IMSA
shall extend the Scholarship through the 2026 Season, which will include the
following benefits:
A. Fifty percent (50%) of one (1) Full Season Premium Pre-Paid Entry into one
(1) of the Classes in one (1) Series’ below, the values of which are
approximate and subject to change:
-
IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship
GTP valued at sixty-four thousand two hundred eighty-eight dollars ($64,288)
GTD PRO valued at fifty-seven thousand four hundred sixty-three dollars ($57,463)
GTD valued at fifty-seven thousand four hundred sixty-three dollars ($57,463)
LMP2 valued at fifty-six thousand one hundred fifty dollars ($56,150) -
IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge
GS valued at twenty-seven thousand five hundred twenty dollars ($27,520)
TCR valued at twenty-five thousand nine hundred thirty five dollars (25,935) -
IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge
Valued at seventeen thousand four hundred seventy five dollars ($17,475)
B. One (1) set of racing tires for each of the events in the chosen Series,
each set valued at approximately two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500);
C. Four (4) hospitality passes to each Series event where the IMSA WeatherTech
Paddock Club is in operation, each valued at five hundred ninety-nine dollars
($599);
D. Four (4) General Admission tickets to each Series event, each valued at
approximately one hundred dollars ($100); and
E. One (1) dedicated IMSA account manager for the year, valued at
approximately five thousand dollars ($5,000).
NOTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION. Applicants will be notified by email prior
to the close of entries for the first IMSA event of the 2024 season. Final
award and approval of the Scholarship is conditioned upon potential
Scholarship team/driver recipient completing and returning all required
documents and releases within the designated time frame and on complying with
all rules and regulations for participation in the Series. Potential
Scholarship driver recipient must submit all required medical forms, ImPACT
testing results, waivers, releases and indemnity agreements, including
signatures of a parent or legal guardian for any driver under the age of
majority. Potential Scholarship team recipient must sign and return Premium
Entrant Agreement. If driver or team fails to return any required documents
within the deadline, or if the driver is disqualified from participating in
the series for medical or any other reasons, or if the team and driver decline
the Scholarship during the confirmation process, then the Scholarship will
not be awarded to that applicant. If the first potential Scholarship recipient
is not confirmed as the Scholarship recipient for any reason, Sponsors may
select and notify another potential Scholarship recipient of their award if
time permits before the start of the 2024 season, at the sole discretion of
IMSA. IMSA reserves the right not to award the Scholarship to any recipient in
the event IMSA determines that none of the applications meet the threshold for
award of the Scholarship, at the sole discretion of IMSA, or in the event that
a suitable recipient cannot be confirmed before the start of the 2024 season.
CONDITIONS OF THE SCHOLARSHIP. Scholarship team/driver recipient must
commit to participating together in every race of the 2024 season.
Additionally, Scholarship team/driver recipient must commit to participating
together in every race of the 2025 season if such team/driver recipient
wishes to receive the 2025 benefits. Sponsors recognize that there may be
illness, force majeure events, or other extenuating circumstances that might
prevent participation of a driver and/or team in a particular racing event,
in which case Scholarship team/driver recipient must inform IMSA of the
circumstances in advance of the event. Any failure of the Scholarship
recipient team and/or driver to perform its obligations pursuant to the
Scholarship puts at risk any unused components of the Scholarship, which
Sponsors may withhold in their sole discretion. Scholarship driver recipient
also understands and agrees that they are also committing to conducting a
minimum of two (2) media/public appearances as directed by IMSA which may be
recorded each season if applicable.
LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY AND RELEASE. IMSA, Sponsors, and their
respective employees, directors, officers and agents shall have no liability
or responsibility arising out of or resulting from the completion and
submission of an application for the Scholarship or the inability to upload
or download any information of documentation in connection with the
application process. IMSA nor Sponsors have any responsibility or liability
for technical problems or technical malfunctions, hardware or software rrors;
faulty computer, cable, satellite, network, electronic, Internet connectivity
or other online or network communication problems; errors or limitations of
any Internet service providers, servers, hosts or other providers; garbled,
jumbled or faulty data transmissions; failure of any online transmissions or
e-mails to be sent or received; lost, late, delayed or intercepted
transmissions; inaccessibility of the website in whole or in part for any
reason; traffic congestion on the Internet or the website; unauthorized human
or non-human intervention in the application process, including without
limitation, unauthorized tampering, hacking, theft, virus, bugs, or worms. Use
of website is at user’s own risk. IMSA nor Sponsors are responsible for any
personal injury or property damage or losses of any kind which may be
sustained to user’s or any other person’s computer or mobile device resulting
from submission of an application. IMSA nor Sponsors are responsible for lost,
late, misdirected, mutilated or postage-due mail.
By submitting an application for the Scholarship, applicants agree (a) to
release IMSA, Sponsors, and their respective employees, officers, directors
and agents from any and all claims, damages or liabilities arising from or
relating to the application and Scholarship award process; (b) under no
circumstances will applicants be permitted to obtain awards for, and
applicants hereby waive all rights to claim, punitive, incidental,
consequential, or any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket
expenses associated with the application for the Scholarship; (c) all causes
of action arising out of or connected with this Scholarship, and any resulting
award, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class
action; and (d) any and all claims, judgments, and award shall be limited to
actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, excluding attorneys’ fees and court
costs. This Scholarship is offered only in the United States and all issues
and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and
enforceability of these terms & conditions, the rights and obligations of
applicants, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsors in connection with
the Scholarship, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the
laws of the State of Florida, without giving effect to any choice of law or
conflict of law rules. By submitting an application, applicants consent to the
jurisdiction and venue of the federal, state and local courts for Volusia
County, Florida.
By submitting an application for the Scholarship, applicant drivers and teams
(on an individual and organizational basis) (a) agree that IMSA, Sponsors, and
all of their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and
agents will have no liability whatsoever for, and shall be held harmless by
driver and team against any liability for injuries, losses or damages of any
kind to persons or property resulting in whole or in part, directly or
indirectly, from submission of an application, receipt of the Scholarship or
any component thereof, or from acceptance, possession, misuse or use of any
component of the Scholarship, or from participation in the series; and (b)
grant to IMSA, Sponsors, and those acting under IMSA’s and/or Sponsors’
authority, and each of their respective designees, the right to use
applicant’s names, photographs, likenesses, voices, images, statements,
biographical information, and application submissions (which may be altered,
changed, modified, edited, used alone or with other works, as solely
determined by IMSA and/or Sponsors) at any time or times, for advertising,
trade, publicity and promotional purposes in any media now known or hereafter
discovered, worldwide, including the Internet without review, notification or
approval, and additional compensation or consideration, unless prohibited by
law.
IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship Terms & Conditions_2025-2026
IMSA Document #1003481
Documents / Resources
| IMSA
2025-2026 IMSA Diverse Driver Development
Scholarship
[pdf] Instructions
2025-2026 IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship, 2025-2026 IMSA, Diverse
Driver Development Scholarship, Driver Development Scholarship, Development
Scholarship
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