Steve Dinan is leaving the company he founded 36 years ago—in order to accept a management position in the worldwide sports-car operations of Chip Ganassi Racing. Dinan and all of its programs for BMW will continue under the leadership of new president and CEO Brian Applegate.

Steve will continue in a consulting role; that enables him to stay connected to the company.

Dinan says, “Those of you who know me well know that my heart has always been in racing. 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."

Ganassi is embarking on a major GT racing effort for Ford, which will almost certainly lead to a return to Le Mans in 2016; while Dinan’s role in the project has not yet been specified, it is likely that he will take a major leadership role in the program.—Brian Morgan