Mitch Bishop, son of IMSA co-founder, will serve as Honorary Official for Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen

As part of the 50th anniversary season of IMSA, Mitch Bishop the son of IMSA co-founder and sportscar racing legend John Bishop, will serve as Honorary Official for the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen, June 30 at Watkins Glen International.

Bishop’s parents, John and Peggy, co-founded IMSA in 1969 with NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., on a simple guiding principle: that anyone, even the “little guy” could prepare a race car, show up to race, be competitive and make some money along the way. With 2019 being the 50th anniversary of the organization, the sanctioning body continues to be the premier sportscar series in North America.

Over the next 20 years, IMSA and the Camel GT Series grew to become the world’s most popular sportscar racing circuit, attracting international superstar drivers, broad manufacturer involvement and live television coverage. As a result, Mitch and his brothers spent their formative years at race tracks around their Connecticut home: Thompson, Bridgehampton, Lime Rock and especially Watkins Glen.

“I’m honored and delighted to act as an honorary race official for the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen,” Bishop said. “My family has deep roots in Central New York and especially Watkins Glen. It seems right and fitting that Watkins Glen should be a centerpiece of celebrating my father’s founding of IMSA 50 years ago.”

In 2016, Mitch quit his job as a successful Silicon Valley marketing and sales executive to focus on co-authoring IMSA 1969-1989 with Mark Raffauf, longtime IMSA executive and race official. The book tells the definitive inside story of John Bishop’s life and how IMSA evolved in its first 20 years and is now published in time for the 50th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the company. He will be signing books in the Pyramid during the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen weekend.

Don’t miss an exciting weekend of nearly 24-hours of on-track action featuring the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Michelin Pilot Challenge, Porsche GT3 Cup USA and Lamborghini Super Trofeo. For more information and tickets, visit www.theglen.com, or call us at 866.461.RACE.

Located within five (5) hours (~300 miles) of 25% of the US population, Watkins Glen International is the premier road racing facility in North America, three-times voted “Best NASCAR Track” by readers of USA Today. Keep up with The Glen on Facebook and Twitter. For tickets, camping, and additional information, call 1-866-461-RACE or visit www.theglen.com.

WGI PR