Teams are running old-school liveries to honor IMSA’s 50th Anniversary

As if we needed more reasons to be excited about the first marquee race of 2019, several teams competing in the International Motor Sports Association’s (IMSA) running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona will run old-school racing liveries. The schemes will honor IMSA’s 50th anniversary as a sanctioning body.

The 24-hour endurance race in Daytona, Florida, kicks off IMSA’s North American schedule, which includes stops at Sebring, Road Atlanta, and Lime Rock Park. The IMSA was started in 1969 by John and Peggy Bishop, with support from NASCAR’s “Big” Bill France Sr.

The following teams have confirmed that they will be running throwback schemes to honor the anniversary. If we missed any, or if you have insider’s info, let us know in the comments below.

Ford Performance and Ford Chip Ganassi Racing

Spectators knew something was afoot when Chip Ganassi Racing showed up to the Rolex 24 practice session last weekend with stark white Ford GT race cars. Turns out their suspicion was justified. Ford announced last week that it will carry different throwback paint schemes on both of its endurance racers.

The No. 66 Ford GT of Joey Hand, Dirk Müller, and Sébastien Bourdais will don a livery inspired by the Roush Racing Motorcraft Ford Mustang that John Jones, Wally Dallenbach Jr., and Doc Bundy drove to victory at the Rolex 24 in 1985. The No. 67 of Richard Westbrook, Ryan Briscoe, and Scott Dixon will run a tribute to current race team partner Castrol. This is the first time in the four-year running of the new Ford GT that the cars will sport a different paint scheme.

Acura Team Penske

Acura Team Penske unveiled its celebratory livery last week, as well. The design featured on Acura’s ARX-05 prototypes pay homage to the three-time consecutive (1991–93) championship winning NSX prototypes.

Driver lineage also ties new to old. During its success in the early ’90s, Acura’s driver lineup included Wayne Taylor, father of current Acura Team Penske driver Ricky Taylor, and Steve Cameron, uncle to Penske driver Dane Cameron.

Mercedes-AMG Team Riley Motorsports

Riley motorsports revealed that it will sport a Wynn’s throwback scheme. Wynn’s, an 80-year-old an automotive additive and tool company, has a longstanding history with motorsports. Its purple-orange-pink combo will grace the panels of Riley’s Mercedes-AMG GT3 as a tribute to the livery featured on the 1987 Porsche 962 run by Hotchkis Racing.