Tommy Hilfiger Set To Receive IMRRC’s 2026 Cameron R. Argetsinger Award
Photo courtesy of Caroline Fiss
Watkins Glen, New York (March 18, 2026)- Global fashion icon and longtime motorsports enthusiast, Tommy Hilfiger will be honored with the prestigious Cameron R. Argetsinger Award for his Outstanding Contributions to Motorsports on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at The International Motor Racing Research Center’s Annual Award Gala. This event will be held at the renowned Corning Museum of Glass.
Presented by the International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), the Cameron R. Argetsinger Award recognizes individuals whose influence, dedication, and leadership have made a lasting impact on the world of motorsports.
Established in 2014, the CRA Award honors the legacy of Cameron R. Argetsinger, the visionary of the first post-World War II Road race in the United States, held on the streets of Watkins Glen on October 2, 1948 – an event establishing the village as one of the world’s most iconic motorsports destinations. Past recipients include Brian Redman (2025), Bobby Rahal (2019), and Chip Ganassi (2014), among other distinguished leaders in the sport.
“In recognition of his significant contribution to motorsports and his lifelong connection to the sport, The IMRRC is delighted to welcome Tommy Hilfiger to the distinguished group of recipients of the Cameron R. Argetsinger Award,” said Margaret Lawrence, Executive Director of the IMRRC.
“Watkins Glen, once home to the U.S. Grand Prix, was where I first experienced the excitement and energy of motorsports,” said Tommy Hilfiger. “Those races left a lasting impression on me and sparked a passion that has stayed with me throughout my life. It’s incredibly meaningful to be recognized by the IMRRC and to be connected to the legacy of Cameron Argetsinger and the historic racing community that helped shape the sport in America.”
Born and raised in nearby Elmira, New York, Hilfiger opened his first store, People’s Place, in his hometown in 1969 before moving to New York City and launching his namesake brand in 1985. Over the past forty years, Tommy Hilfiger has built a unique legacy at the intersection of sport and style, partnering with athletes and teams across motorsports, competitive sailing, golf, snow sports, and soccer.
A lifelong Formula 1® fan, Hilfiger’s passion began as a teenager watching through the fences at Watkins Glen International. That early fascination evolved into a decades-long connection to the sport. Since the 1990s, the TOMMY HILFIGER brand has partnered with iconic Formula 1® teams including Team Lotus, Ferrari, and Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1® Team, and collaborated with seven-time World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton on five collections pushing the boundaries of sport and style. Today, the brand continues to expand its presence in motorsports through a multi-year partnership with the Cadillac Formula 1® Team as the team’s official apparel partner.
The 2026 IMRRC Award Gala is open to the public, with a limited number of tickets available. Individual tickets and tables of 10 may be purchased. Guests are encouraged to secure tickets early, as this event is expected to sell out. Tickets may be purchased online at IMRRC or by calling The Center at (607) 535-9044.
Complete details about the Gala, including sponsorship opportunities, can be found at www.racingarchives.org, for additional information about sponsorships, please contact The International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC).
About The IMRRC: Established in 1998, The International Motor Racing Research Center is a nonprofit 501 © (3) organization dedicated to preserving, collecting, and sharing history of global motorsports through our extensive collection of artifacts, films, memorabilia, and archival materials.
Connect With The IMRRC: To keep up to date on the latest IMRRC Center news visit racingarchives.org or connect on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
About TOMMY HILFIGER
TOMMY HILFIGER is one of the world’s most recognized premium lifestyle brands, welcoming and inspiring consumers since 1985. Originally established in New York City and infused with the spirit of Americana, the brand is defined by its red, white and blue DNA, rooted in expressions that are vibrant, confident and brave. The brand’s collections celebrate “Prep made Modern,” fusing timeless classics with a fresh twist. Tommy Hilfiger offers premium quality and value to consumers worldwide under the TOMMY HILFIGER and TOMMY JEANS lifestyles, with a breadth of collections and products including men’s, women’s and kids’ sportswear, denim, accessories, footwear and fragrance.
Part of PVH Corp. [NYSE: PVH], global retail sales of TOMMY HILFIGER products were approximately $9 billion in 2024, with broad distribution around the world, including its largest global flagship store at tommy.com. Connect with TOMMY HILFIGER on Instagram, X, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.
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About The Cameron R. Argetsinger Award:
The award memorializes Cameron R. Argetsinger, often referred to as the father of American road racing. Argetsinger was a visionary who, in 1948, conceived, organized, and drove in the first post-war road race in America through the roads of Watkins Glen. He brought Formula One to Watkins Glen International in 1961 and the circuit hosted the United States Grand Prix for 20 years. He was president of the IMRRC for five years, until his death in 2008.
Previous Award Recipients
The Cameron R. Argetsinger Award for Outstanding Contributions to Motorsports honors a person in the motorsports industry who is recognized universally for having advanced and improved the sport, in roles that may include, but are not limited to, driver, team owner, sponsor, race promoter, journalist or official of a sponsoring or sanctioning organization. The honoree brings prestige to motorsports and demonstrates commitment to the future of racing.
