Veteran motorsports official Randy Hembrey has been named as senior series manager, Development and Single-Make Series for IMSA.

Chicago native Hembrey will be responsible for all facets of management and day-to-day operations of the Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Powered by Mazda, Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama and Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Michelin series.

He succeeds Steven Sewell, who was named Jan. 15 as track manager of Lime Rock Park in Connecticut.

“First, we’d like to congratulate Steve on his new position and look forward to continuing our relationship with him in his new role as track manager of Lime Rock Park for our TUDOR Championship event on the weekend of July 25,” said IMSA Managing Director, Racing Operations Simon Hodgson.

“We are fortunate to have an outstanding candidate in Randy Hembrey to promote from within IMSA to become our senior series manager of Development and Single-Make Series.

“Randy has done an outstanding job as one of our key officials in race control. His overall background and experience with our Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge platforms makes him ideally suited for this position. He will be another welcome addition to our management team in Daytona Beach.”

Hembrey has served as race director of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama since 2012, and the Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Michelin and Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo North America since 2013.

Those IMSA-sanctioned championships are two of the many series in which he has served in senior management or officiating positions during his 30-year career in motorsports.

Hembrey also served as race director for the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires and the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship powered by Mazda, both part of the Mazda Road to Indy open-wheel ladder system, in 2014.

“The IMSA Development and Single-Make Series are very strong and poised for continued growth, and I’m eager to build upon the great foundation and hard work of Steve Sewell,” Hembrey said.

“Steve did a great job guiding these series to produce fantastic racing and realize their potential, developing young talents who have climbed to the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship.

“I look forward to working with teams, drivers, sponsors and all constituents to continue the positive momentum of Prototype Lites and both Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge series.”

His varied career roles also have included serving as series manager of the Sports Car Club of America-sanctioned Trans-Am Series from 2008-12, director of competition for the United States Auto Club-sanctioned TORC Off-Road Championship series in 2012 and as director of competition and race director for Formula DRIFT from 2005-11.

Before those roles, Hembrey worked in many operational and leadership positions for the Chicago Region of the SCCA, including serving on the board of directors.

Hembrey’s varied experience and strong performance also led to him being named to work on the FIA senior race operations staff at the Formula One World Championship Canadian Grand Prix from 1995-99 and the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis from 2000-06.

Hembrey and his wife, Sue, will relocate from the Chicago area to Daytona Beach, Fla.

Sewell is returning to his racing roots with his new position at Lime Rock Park. He served in a variety of senior management roles for the Skip Barber Racing School at the track from 1986-2003. He managed IMSA’s Development and Single-Make Series since 2011.

“IMSA provided a great home for me, and I’ve taken great pride participating in the growth and associated credibility that the IMSA Development and Single-Make series have achieved during my tenure,” Sewell said.

“I wish Randy Hembrey and the rest of my IMSA peers nothing but the best of luck in continuing the tradition of quality sports car competition, including the stalwart semi-professionals and up-and-coming professionals of tomorrow that populate the series I’ve had the pleasure to be a part of.”