Houston-Based Company Partners with IMSA to Support its Future Stars and Bring Together Car Enthusiast Community
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – IMSA’s newest Promotional Partner has a vested interest in developing promising racing talent.
RAFA Racing Club has signed a multiyear agreement with IMSA, with the partnership focusing initially on the IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship program, encouraging and promoting those with demonstrated racing aptitude to advance their careers.
Based in Houston, the RAFA Racing Club is a motorsports club founded by, and made for, high-performance auto drivers, supporters, and fans of all types. Started by Rafael Martinez, the club aims to create a space for high-performance car enthusiasts to network and share ideas on and off the track and bond as one team with a common interest. Its 28,000-square-foot facility offers members driver training in a professional virtual simulator, workout facilities and the ability to gather with other like-minded car enthusiasts. Additional facilities are planned in Austin, Texas and London.
Through the partnership with IMSA, RAFA will enhance the IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship that awards an annual two-year scholarship for an up-and-coming driver to race in an IMSA owned and operated series. Among the benefits that RAFA will add to the scholarship program are $25,000 in financial assistance to each recipient, as well as leading an e-learning module for all scholarship finalists. In the future, recipients will have the opportunity to train at the club’s Human Performance Center.
“Our mission at RAFA Racing Club is to make motorsports accessible to all, and especially to help those with the talent to reach the top levels of racing achieve their goals,” said Martinez, founder of RAFA Racing Club. “The IMSA Diverse Driver Scholarship program aligns with that vision, pushing racing ability above financial means. We’re proud to be a part of this program, not just once but for a number of years into the future as these great racers join us to Race As Family Always.”
In addition, RAFA Racing Club and its members will have access to IMSA VIP Experiences and Hospitality at IMSA events, providing exclusive benefits and business networking opportunities.
With an eye toward the growing virtual racing world and its role in driver development, RAFA will also partner with IMSA on a sim racing series on the iRacing platform, appealing to both aspiring drivers and fans who enjoy sim racing. Details on the series are forthcoming.
“IMSA is dedicated to working at the grassroots level of our sport to develop the next generation of competitors across our series,” said IMSA Vice President, Partnership Marketing and Business Development, Brandon Huddleston. “This partnership with RAFA Racing Club adds another layer of support in both the real and virtual racing arenas. We welcome RAFA to the stable of IMSA Promotional Partners and appreciate their dedication to the future of sports car racing.”
About the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA):
International Motor Sports Association, LLC (IMSA) was originally founded in 1969 and owns a long and rich history in sports car racing. Today, IMSA is the sanctioning body of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the premier sports car racing series in North America. IMSA also sanctions the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, as well as five one-make series: Ferrari Challenge North America, Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America, Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin, Mustang Challenge and Porsche Carrera Cup North America. IMSA – a company within the NASCAR family – is the exclusive strategic partner in North America with the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) which operates the 24 Hours of Le Mans as a part of the FIA World Endurance Championship. The partnership enables selected WeatherTech Championship competitors to earn automatic entries into the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. For more information please visit IMSA.com or IMSA’s social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and YouTube.