The last-minute campaign to get Patrick Wilmot to IMSA at Daytona

J.A.
By J.A. Ackley
Jan 14, 2025 | IMSA, Nine Lives Racing, Patrick Wilmot

Photo courtesy Tyler Keller/Split Decision Motorsports

Last year, Patrick Wilmot finished second in the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Championship with an all-volunteer team. That organization has since closed, but Patrick now has an opportunity to compete at Daytona, although he needs some help.

[Patrick Wilmot: Can an all-volunteer team podium in IMSA? Yes.]

Swish Motorsports, which fields a BMW M4 GT4 in the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Championship, has offered Patrick a ride … provided he can come with the necessary sponsorship.

A large part of Patrick’s road to a VP Racing SportsCar Championship runner-up points finish came from crowdfunding (particularly from Jzilla Track Days participants). This year, he’s reaching out to friends, family, and friends and family of friends and family. The good news is he already has some help from Nine Lives Racing.


@patrick wilmot is a club racer like us who has an opportunity to race at the highest level. Daytona - Imsa,” Nine Lives Racing posted on its Facebook page. “We need to raise $10,000 to get in to the starting line. We at Nine Lives have pledged $2000 and we will match every dollar you spend on 9 lives merch to get him on track.  Last time we did this it raised $15,000 in a day so this should be easy. Let’s go!”

To help the cause, visit 9livesracing.com to purchase merch or contact Patrick Wilmot here.

No photo description available.
Photo from Patrick Wilmot/Facebook.

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Comments
Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
1/14/25 4:39 p.m.

That's just about the most grassroots way to race as I've ever heard.

Let me pay the power bill and then see what I can donate. smiley

johndej
johndej UltraDork
1/14/25 8:07 p.m.

I don't know Patrick but Swish Motorsports are good people. 

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