JOHN STARKEY CARS :: GRYFON INC.

Racing With A Difference
The History of IMSA

First Published 2001,
by Gryfon Publishers

$99.99 + S&H

"A Golden Age", "didn't realize how fantastic it was at the time", "Always someone there to listen to you", "The best racing I've ever been privileged to be a part of". All of these accolades and more come tumbling out of the mouths of drivers, crew chiefs, mechanics and spectators alike when the subject of IMSA is mentioned.

John and Peggy Bishop started IMSA in 1969. John had been the competition secretary of the Sports Car Club of America, introducing sanctioning and administering such series as the Can-Am and the TransAm. In 1968, as the result of internal politics within the SCCA, he suddenly found himself unemployed. Bill France of NASCAR knew talent when he saw it and so he decided to back John Bishop while he formed IMSA and the sport of road racing.

Within three years the Camel GT series, sanctioned and administered by IMSA, was the GT series of America, witnessing great battles between Porsche Carreras and Chevrolet corvettes and comaros. Supported by race series such as "Kelly Girl Challenge" and the "Radial Stock" (RS) series, IMSA blossomed.

IN 1981, John Bishop reintroduced sports prototype racing to America and the day of the ground effect, 200 mph plus Lolas, Marches, Porsche 962s and the 1000 horsepower Nissans dawned.

Right up until the early nineties, John and Peggy Bishop were at the helm of IMSA, controlling, guiding, listening to drivers, manufacturers and staff in their efforts to make ISA's motto "Racing with a difference" come true. that they succeeded is beyond doubt, as today many race fans look back upon the days of IMSA as the best racing ever seen in America in recent times. Within the pages of this book can be found the story of IMSA: the races; the cars; and the politics.

IMSA truly was "Racing with a Difference".

6 Chapters, 1,056 pgs. 238 b/w photos, 82 color

Chapter 1 - How It All Started
Chapter 2 - 1973 - Carrera Explosion
Color Section 1
chapter 3 - The Coming Of Turbos
Chapter 4 - Prototypes Arrive - 1981 To 1984
Color Section 2
Chapter 5 - The Return Of Porsche - 1985 To 1987
Chapter 6 - Japanese Takeover - 1988 To 1993

Appendix - The Cars of IMSA