Beaux Barfield named race director

Beaux Barfield won't be doing IndyCar for the departing Brian Barnhart

IMSA has appointed Beaux Barfield as race director for Prototype Challenge presented by Mazda. In this new role, IMSA reinforces the consistency of its officiating from the development Prototype platform through to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Previous race director Elliott Forbes-Robinson will transition into an overarching driver observer/advisory role for all IMSA series.

Veteran race director Barfield will continue to serve as race director for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, a position he has held since 2014.

Kyle Novak continues as race director for the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama, Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Yokohama and Todd Snyder completes the race Control group (Ferrari Challenge North America, Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America) for the 2018 season.

“The addition of Beaux to the IMSA Prototype Challenge Presented by Mazda team will be invaluable as the series shifts to a new endurance race format this season," said IMSA Vice President, Competition, Simon Hodgson.

“His experience in Race Control combined with the support of Mark Raffauf, driver stewards and fellow race directors will ensure we maintain consistency of officiating throughout all IMSA platforms.

“This combined with Elliott’s presence in the paddock as a legendary former driver and respected voice gives our IMSA Prototype Challenge Presented by Mazda competitors two veteran IMSA officials to lean on as the series enters a new and highly-anticipated era."

Prototype Challenge shifts from its longtime sprint race format of two, 45-minute races per event weekend to a single 1-hour, 45-minute endurance race in 2018.

The series will continue to feature two classes, blending LMP3 prototypes from a variety of constructors with the longstanding, MPC class that uses the Élan DP02 chassis powered by Mazda engines. The new endurance format will allow teams to run a single or two-driver combination with a required minimum-time pit stop.

The inaugural endurance race at Daytona will be streamed live on IMSA.com on Sat., Jan. 6 at 1:25 p.m. ET.