The IMCA Philosophy
IMCA will continue the mission of affordable, entertaining and competitive auto racing as a sanctioning body. We are committed to establishing and enforcing fair and consistent rules that will strengthen and promote the racing industry. Never resting on our laurels, IMCA is driven by past success to achieve future goals
Where IMCA Is Heading
Since exploding onto the racing scene in 1979, the Modifieds have become the calling card of IMCA. These open wheel wonders push the limits of power and excitement. With a one-tire rule and the well-known engine claim, the grandstand enthusiast can now afford to strap on the safety belts and have a realistic opportunity to compete and WIN feature events. IMCA’s other divisions incorporate these philosophies and are continuing to see excellent growth.
The IMCA Story
The International Motor Contest Association (IMCA), organized in 1915, is the oldest active automobile racing sanctioning body in the United States. J. Alex Sloan, a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., was instrumental in establishing IMCA and ran more races than all other promoters in the United States combined, all under IMCA sanction. After Sloan’s death in 1937, his son John continued the IMCA tradition. Under his leadership, IMCA continued to grow and held its first Late Model race on November 9, 1947 in Lubbock, TX. In the late 1970's Keith Knaack introduced the IMCA Modified division. Few knew then that Keith’s vision and innovation would result in the largest class of race cars in the country.
In 1990, Kathy Root was named president of IMCA and in 1996 purchased IMCA from Karolyn and Kathryn Knaack. Using the vision and innovation of Keith Knaack, IMCA is based on enforcing fair and consistent rules that promote affordability as the foundation of racing in America. Through the promotion of the “grass roots” weekly racer, IMCA has continued to see remarkable growth throughout the last decade.