About NABME
The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) and Collegiate Racing Series (CRS) jointly established the National Advisory Board for Motorsports Education (NABME), a collaborative effort designed to strengthen the connection between higher education and the evolving needs of the motorsports industry.
Why it was established
As universities across the United States continue expanding motorsports-focused academic programs, industry leaders have identified a growing need to better align educational experiences with workforce expectations. NABME was established to address that challenge by fostering collaboration between educators and industry stakeholders while supporting curriculum development, experiential learning opportunities and workforce readiness initiatives.
Together, IMSA and CRS have jointly established NABME to help ensure academic programs more closely reflect the skills, experiences and professional expectations required throughout today’s motorsports industry.
The announcement
IMSA and CRS announced the joint establishment of NABME on August 27, 2026. At Virginia International Raceway, CRS Mazda MX-5 race cars representing Virginia Tech and the University of Tennessee were on display in the paddock, highlighting the hands-on learning opportunities that are central to the new initiative.
Participating institutions
More than 80 colleges and universities are currently participating throughout the CRS program, including:
Guiding principles
The initiative is guided by principles that include:
Governance
IMSA and CRS leadership will participate in a joint NABME steering committee focused on workforce development, student engagement and long-term program growth. The organizations will conduct quarterly reviews and annual planning sessions to assess progress and identify future opportunities.
