To all of our family of Marshals, Support Teams and Volunteers:
IMSA, and the various series that it sanctions and operates, has completed yet another successful season.
Measuring success is a complicated process. From a motorsports business perspective, "success" could be determined by measuring how many sponsors connected their businesses financially to the sport and if they yielded results. Also, to a large degree, how many fans, enthusiasts and spectators made the decision to follow the exploits and excitement of the on-track product - either in person or through one of the many media outlets of TV, internet, print or by some other means. Were they entertained by what they saw and experienced? Enough to want to see more in the 2012 season? And to tell their families, friends and co-workers?
The Race Operations Team at IMSA is made up of both full and part time members who all share a passion for motorsport. We know that we share this passion with similar enthusiasts across North America at the tracks where we are priviledged to race. Without question, the experiences we have at those venues are often challenging but always rewarding. That reward and satisfaction comes from working with, if only for a few short days, some of the best and most committed people in the world. The local flaggers, tower and track staff, safety teams, paddock and pit lane officials, registration and on and on. There are just so many who contribute to IMSA's "success" that we truly could not do what we do without them.
At this special time of the year, the IMSA Race Directors and Race Control Operations Team Members want to say a very special 'Thank You' to all of you dedicated people who work so hard to make our events as successful as they are. We enjoy sharing the stories and, even more, appreciate the talent and expertise that we so very much count on.
Please - Have a very happy Thanksgiving and Holiday Season with your families and friends! Have a safe winter and we all very much look forward to seeing and working with you in the coming 2012 Season!
Beaux Barfield
Race Director - American Le Mans Series and IMSA GT3 Series
Terry Dale
Race Director - Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Championship
FIA International Steward - ALMS
Paul Walter
IMSA Clerk of the Course
...and all in IMSA Race Operations
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Dear Friends:
The seasons come, the seasons go. By anyone's standard, 2011 had its share of emotional and sometimes difficult moments for IndyCar. We experienced some thrilling highs, like the exciting finish of this year's 100th anniversary Indianapolis 500, and also the devastating low of the loss of our Indy 500 winner and 2005 Series Champion Dan Wheldon in Las Vegas.
But what isn't difficult is being thankful - especially at this time of year - for our faithful and steadfast groups of Marshals, Observers, Track Support Personnel and volunteers, who keep IndyCar and its three support series running along, week in and week out, no matter the track, conditions or challenges.
For 2012, IndyCar will continue to move forward in the areas of competition, safety and innovation. The new Dallara DW12, initially test-driven by Dan, enters its final stages of development with all three engine manufacturers and will debut at the season opener in St. Petersburg.
We will
welcome several new teams to the IZOD IndyCar Series next season. The Mazda 'Road to Indy' will continue to develop new driving talent via the Indy Lights, Star Mazda and USF2000 Championships. And we will further our commitment to explore ways to provide increased safety for our competitors and exciting racing for our fans.
Such is the view of the "big picture" for IndyCar. But when we look closer, we see this picture is made up of thousands of individual efforts. We stand
grateful and encouraged by your commitment, skill and perseverance. The downpour in Sao Paulo, our oval rain delays, the bitter wet cold of Edmonton, and the trying long days of Baltimore are just a few of the challenges our volunteers and crews faced this year. Yet each was considered a success in no small part due to the dedication of all of you, no matter the task.
We also welcome and appreciate the positive attitude with which you carry out your roles at our events. Whether it be aiding a competitor, assisting our officials or answering questions from fans, we consider you all to be very important features of the "face" of IndyCar.
Thank you again so much for the
sacrifices you and your families make whenever you offer your time, talents and support to participate in our events. You have our respect and appreciation.
From our entire IndyCar family, we extend warm holiday wishes to you and all of your families for a safe, happy and peaceful holiday season, along with our sincerest hopes to see all of you again in 2012!
All the best,
Brian Barnhart, IZOD IndyCar Series Race Director
Tony Cotman, Firestone Indy Lights Championship Race Director
Bill Van de Sandt, Star Mazda
Championship Race Director
Paul Walter, USF2000
Championship Race Director
...and all of IndyCar Race Control
