SEBRING, Fla. – A competitor in Sunday’s Michelin IMSA SportsCar Encore at Sebring Int’l Raceway has died after suffering a medical issue while in the race car.

Timothy “Tim” M. George, M.D., 59, of Austin, Texas, was driving the No. 2 Ansa Motorsports LLC prototype race car when he suffered an unknown medical issue.

George was able to drive the car onto pit lane, where he was immediately attended to by track medical personnel.  He was transported to a local Sebring hospital where he passed away.

There was no known mechanical issue with the car.

“The IMSA family is shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Tim George today,” read a statement from IMSA. “He was a long-time IMSA competitor and a friend to many in the paddock. At this difficult time we would like to extend our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies to his wife Rosalind and the rest of their family.”