IMSA: Dinan confirms move to Chip Ganassi Racing

Veteran BMW tuner and aftermarket pioneer Steve Dinan revealed one of the more unexpected moves in motor racing on Thursday when he confirmed his departure from his own company to work for Chip Ganassi Racing.

"Yes, there is some truth to it," said Dinan when reached by phone. He added more in an interview posted on BWMCCA.org.

"Those of you who know me well know that my heart has always been in racing," he said. "From my days as a competitive driver to engineering race winning engines for the top teams in motorsport, racing is my passion. You may be aware that together with Chip Ganassi Racing and BMW Dinan as a company has won many Daytona Prototype races and four Rolex Grand-Am championships as well as two overall wins in the 24 Hours of Daytona. This opportunity allows me to be a part of the best team in sports car racing."

Dinan is expected to play a role in managing the team's upcoming Le Mans project with Ford as part of the Blue Oval's entry into the GTE class with the brand-new Ford GT.

Dinan's expertise goes well beyond his championship-winning engines, and can bring considerable management and engineering depth to the storied team.​

He joins a program currently headed by Ganassi managing director Mike Hull and Ganassi IMSA team manager Mike O'Gara, who oversees the Indianapolis-based program's factory Ford EcoBoost DP effort.

Dinan's pending departure should not affect any of his company's current or future activities.