Fukuda awarded IMSA's Diverse Driver Development Scholarship

Ken Fukuda, a 36-year-old Skip Barber Racing School instructor, has been awarded the IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship. The scholarship covers the cost of a 2024 entry list in either the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge or IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge as well as 50 percent of an entry for 2025.

Fukuda has taken a winding road to this position. After graduating from the University of California, Los Angeles he joined the Peace Corps and became a teacher and principal at a school in Liberia.

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Still wishing to pursue racing, he became a mechanic and instructor before eventually finding a home with the Skip Barber Racing School where he serves as an instructor and director of the Skip Barber Race Series.

“I was blown away,” Fukuda said after finding he had been chosen. "IMSA and all the partners that are involved in the scholarship are just a testament to how special it is. I'm overwhelmed and truly gracious.

“I know my own journey and I know I belong there, I believe I worked harder than anyone else, and whether that's true or not, I know I did the best I could and know I belong.”

Fukuda’s professional racing experience includes a stint with the Skip Barber Race Team in TC America, where he scored a podium last season at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“I do come from a minority, but my thing is regardless of your background, your ethnicity, your culture, social norms you're raised with or your funding or your age, it doesn't matter,” Fukuda said.

“Racing hasn't changed. If you love it enough, you're persistent, you have enough desire and you continue learning from your mistakes and you follow the three keywords that every mentor that I've truly, truly respected has said – never give up – anyone can make it."