Robinson to assume new role in IMSA

Doug Robinson

Doug Robinson, who led IMSA through some of the darkest hours of sports car racing in the ’90s and is given much credit for its resurrection, has yet another mission. One of IMSA’s most influential executives since 1996, Robinson has begun his new role of special consultant to IMSA and the American Le Mans Series. He will work on his specialties of green racing and innovative technical development as both organizations concentrate on remaining on the leading edge of auto racing into the 21st century.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to contribute more directly in the development and transfer of environmentally sustainable green technology into the American Le Mans Series," said Robinson. “Assisting our partners with their programs in order to demonstrate, inform and educate the public about these technologies is so vitally important to the future of the automobile in North America."

“Doug has provided invaluable expertise and insight for IMSA" said Tim Mayer, COO of IMSA and the American Le Mans Series. “His understanding of production and design, and how it could be innovatively applied to racing has been one of the primary reasons the American Le Mans Series has become the most prominent sports car series in the world. Doug’s involvement in the Series’ green racing initiatives has created additional opportunities that he wants to pursue. We see these opportunities as valuable to IMSA and the American Le Mans Series."

Robinson joined IMSA in 1996 after spending two years as Director of Technical Services for SCCA Pro Racing. He became Managing Director and partner in 2000, and was named Executive Director in early 2002 when Dr. Don Panoz purchased IMSA. Robinson has been involved in the development of technical rules and specifications for race production sports cars for more than 10 years.

A 31-year career auto executive with General Motors, Robinson recently has been intricately involved with the Series’ green racing initiatives as IMSA’s and the American Le Mans Series’ key executive for coordination with SAE International, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. In addition, Robinson has worked closely with the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) with rules and homologation regulations that pertain to the teams and automobile manufacturers that compete in the American Le Mans Series

Robinson continues to represent IMSA as the United States’ representative on the Stewards Committee at the 24 HEURES DU MANS and has recently joined the FIA’s newly created Environmentally Sustainable Motorsports Commission.

Much of his 31-year career at General Motors was spent in the Delco Products Division, primarily in the design and production of automotive suspension components. During his last 11 years at GM, he served as Corvette Development Manager including overseeing the showroom stock racing program and creating the Corvette Challenge series and the World Challenge series. He also directed the development of the 1990 Corvette ZR-1 program and was the “vehicle architect" for the ground breaking, fifth generation Corvette C5 project which began production in 1997.

Robinson can be contacted through the IMSA corporate office in Braselton, GA. IMSA’s primary technical responsibility will be handled by Scot Elkins, Vice President of Technical Operations with Cindy Robinson retaining her role as Director of Administration and Gordon Gratiot as Director of Logistics.