The International Motor Racing Research Center is guided by a Governing Council composed of racing aficionados, library professionals and civic and community leaders from across the United States.
Chairman – John R. Saunders: is president of the International Speedway Corp. and a former president of Watkins Glen International. He was one of the originators of the concept of the International Motor Racing Research Center.
Vice Chairman – Laurence Kessler: is the owner of a restaurant and real estate development firm and former owner of numerous Burger King Restaurants in central and western New York. A former IMSA team competitor and sponsor, he is active in SVRA and other vintage racing events and is a member of the Road Racing Drivers Club. See Kessler making a pass at the 2014 SVRA Brickyard Invitational.
Secretary – Mitch Bishop: is a high-integrity marketing executive with a long track record building successful software companies in the San Francisco Bay area. He has deep roots in the motorsports world as he is the son of IMSA founder, IMRRC co-founder and Motorsports Hall of Fame member John Bishop, giving him a unique perspective on the history of the sport. He continues to be active in motor racing as both a driver and fan.
Treasurer – Scott Welliver: is the owner of the construction management company Welliver. He is a vintage racer and former NASCAR team co-owner and is heavily involved in his community, including as a co-owner of three wineries.
Peter Argetsinger: is one of the most well-known and well-respected driving coaches in the industry, with a racing and instructing career that spans more than four decades. Son of Jean and Cameron Argetsinger, founder and organizer of the first races in Watkins Glen, N.Y., Argetsinger’s own competitive career includes the British Racing & Sports Car Club Driver of the Year Award, after competing in 66 races in his inaugural season, and a British Formula Ford Championship. He has raced on the greatest tracks in the world, with victories including the Petit Le Mans 10 hours at Road Atlanta in a Porsche in the competitive GT category and the 2016 13 Hour Sports Car Race at Virginia International Raceway. Argetsinger has instructed for multiple driving schools and currently works as a private coach to the industry. He has coached many successful pro drivers at the start of their careers, including 1996 Formula One World Champion Damon Hill, Indy 500 winners Juan Pablo Montoya, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Alexander Rossi, as well as others including James Hinchcliffe, Graham Rahal and Gabby Chaves. Watch Argetsinger discuss Justin Sirgany and his potential to get to Formula One. And take a trip around Sebring in a 2015 Ferrari 458 Challenge with Argetsinger.
Lawrence Auriana: is a senior portfolio manager of the Federated Kaufman Funds. He has an extensive collection of Italian motorcycles and automobiles, including race cars. From partnership in a restaurant to supporter of film and music to leader of several Italian-American organizations, his community interests are far-reaching.
Bill Branson: is a retired director of AG Edwards and former officer of Royal Bank of Canada (US) Wealth Management. He has been president of the Adirondack Scenic Railroad since 2008, and is a returning member of the Governing Council. He has a collection of European road and race cars and has been involved with SCCA and SVRA for many years, driving several of his cars at many east coast tracks.
Nicholas Craw: is a the president of Senate and deputy president of the FIA. He was formerly the ACCUS president, SCCA president and CEO, and director of the Peace Corps. He is also an RRDC member and in the SCCA Hall of Fame. Craw started racing in 1967 with a Formula B Brabham BT-21 and won the 1969 Washington D.C. Region’s Norair Trophy. He is a two-time IMSA Goodrich Radial Challenge champion, and American Road Race of Champions winner, and a two-time winner of Nelson Ledges 24-Hour race.
Evan Earle: is the Cornell University archivist, a lifelong motorsports enthusiast and devoted “car guy.” Earle assisted the Racing Research Center for several years as its consulting archivist. Read about Earle’s work at Cornell.
Gregory G. Galdi: is the founder and owner of Custom Computer Specialists, a 35-year-old technology services firm. He is an avid collector of vintage sports racers, sedans and Formula 1 cars and is an iRacing devotee. He is a member of SVRA, SCCA, FIA and Master’s HGP. See and hear Galdi’s Ferrari 312PB in action.
Phil Henderson: is a retired electrical engineer who lives in Western New York. He has been a starter at Watkins Glen for over 50 years at profession and amateur events, including Formula One. Phil represented Area 10 on the SCCA National Board of Directors and raced in SCCA Showroom Stock and Sport Renault, winning NYSRRC overall in 1978 and 1979. Familiar faces at the IMRRC, Phil and his wife Marion have been strong supporters of the IMRRC since its inception.
R. David Jones: brings almost 60 years of involvement with the Sports Car Club of America to the Governing Council. Since joining SCCA in 1959, Jones has filled numerous roles in addition to racing, from local SCCA club activities chairman to eight years as chairman of the national SCCA board. He is a retired lawyer and businessman, specializing in security systems and automotive electronics. His amateur racing, including five weekends in 2017, has put him in several different series, such as Formula Vee, Sports Renault and Formula Mazda.
Henry “Hank” Kimball: is a regional community leader whose business is residential and commercial property in the Finger Lakes Region of New York and whose passion is racing. Kimball is a returning member of the IMRRC Governing Council. Owner of Kimball Realty Group, which opened in 1995, Kimball is a member of the board of the Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association and is a co-founder of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of the Southern Tier. Kimball was a member of the ATS Wheels Formula One team from 1979-84 for Grand Prix competition in the United States.
Robert M. Newman Jr.: is a retired adviser from the investment firm Tigris Financial Group Ltd. He is a long-time collector of interesting and unique automobiles and got his competition license at age 60. He was named The Legends of Motorsports Rookie of the Year in 2010 and is active in several civic and philanthropic organizations.
Tony Parella: is president and CEO of the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association. A 24-year veteran of the telecommunications industry, Parella has served in a number of executive management positions throughout his career. Most recently, he served as chairman of Shared Technologies Inc., a company he led since 2004. See Parella’s 2015 interview with the RACER Channel.
David Porter: is a commodity finance consultant and retired treasurer and head of finance in the Americas for Glencore Ltd. He has been racing successfully for 35 years, with championships and victories in series in the United Kingdom and the United States, including SCCA, USAC, SRCC, SVRA and HSR. Before the 2015 re-pave, he was the Watkins Glen International short course lap record holder. Race with Porter in the 2015 Daytona HSR Classic 24 in his 2007 Pescarolo Judd LMP1.
Michael Printup: is president of Watkins Glen International and has managerial oversight of Michigan International Speedway and Americrown, ISC’s motorsports catering, concessions and merchandise sales arm. He also serves on the board of directors for the Motorsports Hall of Fame and is actively involved in numerous civic and community organizations in the Watkins Glen area. See Printup’s interview with a ZF Race reporter as he discusses Watkins Glen International’s history and renovations.
Archie Urciuoli: retired in 1999 as chairman of Merrill Lynch International and is now chairman of ArcherGroup, a private investment and consulting firm. He has served on the boards of a number of corporations and charities and is the author of many business publications. He has won numerous racing awards and is a member of the board of the Road Racing Drivers Club. Under the pen name “Grumpy,” he is the author of the “Muttmulligans” children’s books. He served as secretary of the Governing Council for many years. View a Legends of Motorsports profile of Urciuoli.