ALMS & IMSA hire two key ex-Champ Car employees
Barfield, a native of Houston, TX, served as a Champ Car steward from 2003-2008 during which time he also worked as Race Director of the two ancillary sanctioned series. During the 2008 American Le Mans Series season, he has served as an assistant to Mayer, who had assumed responsibilities from long-time Race Director Marty Kaufman the beginning of this year.
As Race Director, Barfield will be the chief competition official, overseeing on-track race decisions, enforcing rules and procedural issues. He also will be responsible for preparing pre-race and post-race documents for Series drivers, teams and other officials. Paul Walter, meanwhile, will continue in his role of Operating Steward and James Foyle remains in the post of Clerk of the Course.
“While Champ Car was great training," says Barfield, “the time spent with Tim and the rest of the Race Control officials and stewards has been invaluable. The multi-class competition and speed differentials makes one really do some homework and study data to get an understanding of how the cars interact with each other on track."
Barfield’s on-track race experience includes karting, Formula Ford 2000 and Indy Lights. He also served as lead instructor from 1992-2007 for what became the Panoz Racing School at Road Atlanta.
ELKINS JOINS TECHNICAL STAFF
OF INTERNATIONAL MOTORSPORTS ASSOCIATION
Motorsports veteran Scot Elkins has joined the International Motor Sports Association as its Vice President of Technical Operations. In his new role, Elkins will be responsible for technical oversight and technical rules enforcement for all IMSA-sanctioned series including the American Le Mans Series.
“I’m very pleased to join IMSA," Elkins said. “The level and application of technology that is present in IMSA and the American Le Mans Series is unlike any other form of motorsport, and I’m excited to be a part of it. I have been a long time fan of both IMSA and the Series, and I am eager to start working closely with the teams and numerous participating manufacturers."
Elkins formerly was technical director at Champ Car where one of his key duties was the project manager for the 2007 DP01 chassis from Elan Technologies, which like IMSA is part of the Panoz Motor Sports Group. He has also held engineering roles with prestigious organizations such as Robert Yates Racing, Toyota, and Pi Research. Elkins also logged time as a race engineer in the IndyCar series, Indy Lights, Formula Atlantic and the Barber Dodge Pro Series.
“Adding someone of Scot’s caliber and experience to our organization is a very important move," Mayer said. “He has well established relationships with many of our teams, drivers and manufacturers. The levels of technology and competition are rapidly advancing within the American Le Mans Series and our other sanctioned series, and Scot will play a key role in how those technologies are introduced and governed on the race track."
Elkins graduated from Indiana State with a degree in mechanical/manufacturing technology. He also has authored reports and presentations on a variety of motorsports topics. He participates in a number of prestigious organizations such as SAE International, the Formula 1 Technical Working Group, and the Motorsports Advisory committee, for both Indiana State University and Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis.