The Standard for
Motorsports Education
Setting the national benchmark for how universities prepare the next generation of motorsports professionals. A joint initiative of IMSA and the Collegiate Racing Series.
Closing the Gap Between Education and the Grid
The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) and the Collegiate Racing Series (CRS) have launched a joint initiative known as the National Advisory Board for Motorsports Education (NABME). The initiative recognizes a defining challenge facing the sport: motorsports continues to evolve rapidly, while the preparation of its future workforce has not advanced at the same pace.
Across the United States, universities have expanded motorsports-focused programs and experiential learning opportunities. Yet a clear gap remains between academic preparation and the expectations of professional environments. NABME was established to close that gap by creating a national framework that aligns education with the realities of modern racing.
NABME brings together senior leaders from engineering, race operations, manufacturing, safety, marketing, and business to shape how motorsports talent is developed. The board operates on the belief that effective preparation requires more than technical knowledge. It requires exposure to real systems, accountability within team structures, familiarity with regulations, and the ability to perform in high-pressure environments where precision and safety are critical.
- Engineering
- Race Operations
- Manufacturing
- Safety
- Marketing
- Business
Built on Seven Pillars
The initiative is guided by a clear set of principles that ensure NABME remains grounded in the realities of motorsports while supporting long-term growth of the workforce that sustains the sport.
Industry Relevance
Curriculum and standards reflect current employer expectations across all motorsports disciplines.
Hands-On Experience
Learning is built around designing, building, operating, and managing real race programs.
Safety
Safety culture, protocols, and regulatory knowledge are embedded across all learning pathways.
Leadership
Programs build the capacity to lead teams, manage pressure, and make decisions in competitive environments.
Collaboration
NABME connects institutions, race teams, manufacturers, suppliers, and industry experts around shared standards.
Accessibility
Pathways into motorsports careers should be open, clearly defined, and available to all students.
Continuous Improvement
Periodic summits review progress, share insights, and guide future workforce strategy for the sport.
Founded by Leaders in Motorsports
IMSA and the Collegiate Racing Series serve as founding partners and conveners of NABME. The board operates in an advisory capacity, providing strategic guidance that institutions and industry partners may adopt to strengthen motorsports education nationwide.
International Motor Sports Association
IMSA is the premier sanctioning body for sports car racing in North America. As a founding convener of NABME, IMSA provides industry leadership, professional standards, and a direct connection between education programs and the realities of professional racing.
Collegiate Racing Series
The Collegiate Racing Series creates real-world race program environments where students design, build, operate, and manage wheel-to-wheel race programs under conditions that mirror professional expectations. As a founding convener, CRS bridges classroom theory with on-track execution.
Leadership
NABME is guided by leaders from across the motorsports industry who bring decades of combined experience in racing, engineering, business, and education.
John Doonan
President, IMSA
Jack Hobbs
President, Collegiate Racing Series
Peter Saddington
Board Member
Senter Smith
Board MemberIndustry Partners
NABME's committee includes leading organizations from across the motorsports ecosystem — race teams, manufacturers, safety equipment providers, data systems, and tire technology.
IMSA
Roush
Safecraft
Hoosier
Mazda Motorsports
AiM
Penske Racing Shocks
Shape the Future of Motorsports Education
Whether you represent an academic institution, a professional race team, a vehicle manufacturer, or a motorsports supplier — NABME invites your participation. Help shape the standards that prepare the next generation of motorsports professionals.
- Academic programs seeking accreditation guidance
- Race teams and manufacturers looking to shape workforce standards
- Industry professionals interested in advisory board membership
- Suppliers and partners committed to motorsports education
Reach Out
Interested in learning more about NABME or joining as a committee member? We'd love to hear from you.
Contact NABME hello@thenabme.org