IMRRC archival staff and volunteers are currently engaged in a massive process of reviewing all collections of media guides and press kits that have been donated over the last twenty-five years in order to create a fully inventoried compendium of such publications. This process entails review of many hundreds of media guides prepared for the press by sanctioning bodies in all genres of racing, such as NHRA, USAC, CART, Champ Car, IndyCar, SCCA , and IMSA, and many others that are specific to racing series, race tracks and discrete racing events. These often include detailed statistical and scheduling information that is otherwise difficult to retrieve as well as sometimes stunning contemporary graphics.
In addition, the IMRRC has many thousands of individual press kit produced by driving teams and corporate entities that are replete with fascinating detail and often photography associated with individual drivers and cars. Major contributors of media guides and press kits over the years have included such long-time supporters of the IMRRC as Governing Council member John Gorsline, former Watkins Glen press director Bob Kelly, noted journalists George Webster and Mike Paz, RRDC organizer and former driver Judy Stropus, IMRRC members Jan Elliott and Lime Rock track announcer Greg Rickes, circle-track expert the late Dr. Gary George, and many others. It is intended that this valuable collection of media guides and press kits, now re-organized for ease of access, will be of enhanced value to motor racing scholars and enthusiasts who routinely access the resources of the IMRRC.
Dan Gurney and Jo Bonnier – Image Source
In November and December of 2024, the IMRRC received a wealth of rare photographs and associated printed material on early (1950s and 1960s) stock car and modified racing in western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania. This material was provided by Ford Easton, who grew up in upstate New York and was an avid fan of racing in his youth, and is now recognized as an expert on racing in this genre. He is the author of the definitive book on the subject, “Stock Car Racing in the ’50s: Pictures and Memories from Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania” (2014).
Ray Jordan Wins, Olean Speedway, 1960s. Ford Easton Collection
In addition to an earlier donation of audio tapes containing interviews of drivers and race officials used in preparation of his book, Mr. Easton more recently donated several scrapbooks created by the late Norm Houston, a keen player in organizing and documenting stock car racing in Western New York in the early days. The scrapbooks contain extensive and rare photography pertaining to speedway racing on tracks like Angelica Raceway, Lancaster Speedway, and Wellsville Raceway in Western New York and Skyline Speedway and Troy Fairgrounds in Northwestern Pennsylvania, which were immensely active and popular in their day but some of which are long abandoned and largely forgotten by today’s generation of racing enthusiasts.
This collection includes copies of a weekly publication, Racing News, published in Cherry Creek and later Randolph, NY, which provides blow-by-blow coverage of speedway competition for the year 1955, the single year of its existence. This literature, together with the rich collection of rare photography in the Houston scrapbooks, preserves the legacy of drivers like Squirt Johns, the Bill and Herb Layfield families, and Dutch Hoag, as well as a host of other magnificent adventurers of a bygone era.
Give me the keys! On the grid, courtesy of the Little Speed Shop.
Or more accurately, thanks to a generous donation from T. Dean Johnson, Jr, former operator of Western New York’s Niagara Airport Drag Strip, from 1964-1974, we’ve added a valuable drag racing collection to our archive. Among the many valuable items are hundreds of photos ranging in size from 3×5 to 8×10, marketing materials, promotional items for featured drivers/cars and entertainers, correspondence with the NHRA and NASCAR, contracts, cashed checks, and assorted memorabilia.
Our archives team is in the process of inventorying and housing the collection to make it available to researchers. We’re really enjoying our work! None of us are what you would call “experts” on drag racing – more casual fans. But, we love the photos of Top Fuel, Funny Cars, altered cars, rocket cars, and drag-racing motorcycles. We are also having fun flipping through the drag racing magazines and the many solicitations from featured drivers and novelty acts hoping to be featured at Niagara.
Since we’ve been sharing our discoveries with each other, we thought we’d share some with you. We look forward to digging deeper into the Niagara collection, learning more about this historic Western New York track, and welcoming Drag Racing fans and researchers to the Center in the future!
PS – If you happen to recognize any of the cars/drivers in the photos, please let us know!
The Research Center is honored to have this spectacular car on display and wants to thank the owner, Mark Malley, for the opportunity to share it with our guests.
The car is powered by a 1600cc Toyota 4AG engine built by Paul Hasselgren of California. The transaxle is a Reynard F3 box with a Hewland MK5 5-speed transmission. Ground effects technology is extensively used in the sidepod design and the undercarriage, similar to today’s technology. The top speed is approximately 150-160 MPH.
The car has run in multiple SCCA National and Regional events, as well as SVRA competitions at The Glen, Lime Rock, Road Atlanta, and Barber Motorsports Park.
Adrian Reynard built his first race car at age 23 while working for British Leyland. He became one of the most successful proprietor engineers in race car manufacturing in the world. Reynard Motorsports grew into one of the leading producers of race car chassis, and in the 1980s and ’90s, Reynard chassis dominated British Formula 3, International F3000, and Formula Atlantic. From the mid-1990s to the early 2000s, Reynard chassis were also dominant in Indy car racing, winning two Indianapolis 500s and numerous championships.
Racing helmets have an undeniable appeal for most race fans. Like a cars livery, their designs can be colorful or muted, complicated or simple. Who can forget Jackie Stewart’s helmet with its tartan “halo,” Senna’s unmistakable yellow, green, and blue helmet, or Emerson Fittipaldi’s swooping red on blue/black design. Above all, helmets can be expressions of a driver’s personality.
Racer Gordon “Gordy” MacKenzie (1926-2022) was born in Millbrook, NY, but you would never know it. His name is as Scottish as Scottish gets; he was famous for wearing a kilt to the track. MacKenzie enjoyed a long racing career that started in the early 1950s and lasted until the late ’60s. His retirement lasted over 20 years until he returned to racing in 1996, participating in vintage racing events at Lime Rock Park, driving a Lotus Europa. Over his career, he raced at numerous tracks, including Watkins Glen, Thompson, and Sebring. Still, MacKenzie’s “home” track was Lime Rock Park, where he drove in the inaugural race in 1957. The car he is most associated with is his C-Type Jaguar, which he drove with great success through much of his career.
Gordon MacKenzie and his C-Type Jaguar, #52. Photo from the MacKenzie Archives. 22A30
MacKenzie takes the checkered flag on July 4, 1960 at Lime Rock Park. The flag is being held by his wife, Jillian: “That is me holding the flag, not Mac. It was rather uncomfortable, I was under the cockpit cover on the passenger side with just enough room for my head to come out between the edge of the cover and Mac’s head.” Photo from the MacKenzie Archives. 22A30
Among the many treasures in MacKenzie’s archive are two helmets he wore during his career. One dates from the 1950s-60s, it can be seen in the two photos above. The second is a more modern Shoei RF-4 helmet from his vintage car racing years. Just like his kilt, MacKenzie’s helmets tell us a great deal about him and how much he valued his heritage.
The first helmet, dating to the late 1950s, is white with a matching white visor from an unknown manufacturer. On top of the helmet is a painted Heraldic shield. The paint is worn and faded, evidence of use and age, but the symbols in its fields of blue and gold are clear. In the upper left field is the crest of the MacKenzie Clan, a burning mountain. In the upper right, a stag, perhaps a Red Deer or the Scottish Stag, a national symbol of Scotland. On the lower left, is a harp, the Irish national Symbol. On the lower right is the symbol of the Isle of Man, a triskelion composed of three armored legs with golden spurs. One wonders about MacKenzie’s association with Ireland and the Isle of Man (though the Isle of Man certainly has a long association with racing), but his message is clear.
The second helmet is a white Shoei RF-4. MacKenzie’s name is prominently displayed above the visor. The top is again painted, this time with the MacKenzie family crest, the burning mountain surrounded by a belt, along with the clan’s motto, “Luceo non Urbo”: “I Shine not Burn”. On opposing sides of the helmet, MacKenzie has added stickers with the emblems of Scottish racing team Ecurie Ecosse (”Scottish Stable”) and the emblem of the Road Racers Drivers Club. Interestingly, close inspection of the green tape on the visor reveals the word “Lotus” in raised letters under the tape. Again, his Scottish heritage is the defining theme of the helmet.
Letter from John Fitch to Gordon MacKenzie encouraging him to attend the reenactment of the inaugural race at Lime Rock Park. Note the encouraging “You’ve got to make it!”
One of the most appealing things about both helmets is that the designs are clearly painted and the stickers applied to helmets MacKenzie purchased. They don’t have the polish of modern helmets worn by professional racers; they were handled, perhaps even painted, by the driver and others around him. They look and feel personal. You could literally do the same thing to your own helmet.
Throughout racing’s history, helmet design has been a popular form of expression for drivers and of great interest to fans. Just as in other sports fans sometimes choose their favorite teams based on uniform colors and designs, helmet designs are part of what attracts racing fans to different drivers. Helmets are highly sought after racing collectibles as they are among the most personal items associated with drivers. We are extremely fortunate to have MacKenzie’s helmets in our collection.
The Camoradi USA Racing’s 1960 Corvette was built for international competition under the auspices of Chevrolet General Manager Ed Cole and Corvette Chief Engineer Zora Duntov and went on to race successfully in Havana, Daytona, Sebring, Nürburgring, Sweden, and Le Mans. The only thing more amazing than this car’s creation and race record is its survival. On the way to Britain’s famed Goodwood circuit in August 1960 it was crashed hard and left for dead but miraculously, the shattered remains were preserved and discovered some thirty years later by Loren Lundberg, an unbelievably tenacious Corvette enthusiast from Glendale, Arizona. Learn how Loren found and rescued the car, and how he and current caretaker Dominick Testa went to great lengths to restore it and make sure its incredible story would not be forgotten.
Learn more about the Camoradi Corvette from famed Historian, Author and Photorgrapher: Richard Prince
The historic Camoradi Corvette will be on display at the IMRRC thru our June 22, Center Conversation: “The Greatest Corvette Story Ever Told”
Visitors to the IMRRC would be justified in thinking our collections are mostly made up of materials on drivers, cars and races. Why not? It’s largely true. Much of the racing literature is focused on racers, their cars, the results of specific events. But among our rich archives are several that focus on other aspects of racing. One recently-donated example is the Gordon Ensing Collection of materials on the West Michigan Grand Prix (collection number 22A21). This the second supplement to Gordon Ensing’s original collection, gifted to us in 2015 (15A54). Ensing’s first donation and supplement included posters from race events in the 1980’s-2000’s; framed prints of IMSA and CART cars and drivers; programs from CART, Formula 1, SCCA, IMSA, and other racing series (a boon to our extensive collection of racing programs!)
Programs from the 1998 and 1999 West Michigan Grand Prix. Both races ran on the 1.5 mile Scott Brayton Memorial Street Circuit in downtown Grand Rapids and featured Trans-Am Series races as their featured race. 22A21
The second supplement to Ensing’s collection consists of documents related to the planning and running of the West Michigan Grand Prix in Grand Rapids in 1998 and 1999. Among the materials are: West Michigan Grand Prix Association (WMGPA) corporate records dating from 1994 to 1999; notebooks titled “Race Operations”, “Operations Manual”, “On-site Marketing Manual”, “Sponsor Handbook”, “Event Operations Manual”, “Post-Event Analysis,” and “Construction” (2 vols.); publicity and media material in print and video formats; graphics such as race guides and spectator maps; and a large collection of relevant newspaper and magazine articles.
Gordon Ensing was uniquely positioned to collect these materials. As a Director of the West Michigan Grand Prix, he was there from the beginning the Association’s efforts to host the Grand Prix, to the successful inaugural running in 1998, through to the decision not to host a Grand Prix in 2000. His archive offers a unique behind-the-scenes perspective on the history of the Grand Prix. The bulk of the collection consists of various handbooks detailing racing operations. Particularly intriguing are the “Post-Event Analysis,” a retrospective evaluation of the 1999 Grand Prix and a notebook on “Construction” which includes correspondence, meeting minutes, and maps related to the engineering and construction of the course.
The 1999 West Michigan Grand Prix “On-Site Marketing Manual” and “WMGP Design & Operation Manual.” Two of several notebooks in the Archives concerning race operations and preparations. 22A21
Among the more intriguing items in the collection are items documenting efforts to promote the race. Included are several copies of a glossy colored booklet titled “Corporate Sponsorships: 1999 West Michigan Grand Prix,” a prospectus detail marketing opportunities for corporate sponsors of the race. This booklet was likely distributed to perspective sponsors.
“Corporate Sponsorships: 1999 West Michigan Grand Prix.” A booklet detailing opportunities for potential Corporate Sponsors. 22A21
More unique is a Certificate of Appreciation awarded to the West Michigan Grand Prix in recognition of their participation and support of the West Michigan Science Festival, which ran from April 18-25, 1998. An evaluation of the Science Fair is also included. Clearly the organizers of both the Science Fair and the Grand Prix were keenly interested in the impact of their events.
A Certificate of Appreciation awarded to the West Michigan Grand Prix in recognition of their participation in and support of the West Michigan Science Festival. 22A21
Still more unique, and a favorite item in the Archive, is an unused half-gallon container for Fast Trax Sundae Country Fresh Ice Cream. The ice cream appears to be another marketing campaign for the West Michigan Grand Prix as a note on the box indicates: “Visit Country Fresh online through our link @ www.westmichigangrandprix.com.”
An unused half-gallon container for Fast Trax Sundae Country Fresh ice cream: mini brownie fudge tires in vanilla ice cream streaked with dark chocolate. 22A21
The item with the most emotional resonance is surely the draft of the press release announcing the WMGPA Board of Directors’ decision not to host a Grand Prix in 1999. Dated November 11, 1999, the release discusses the Board’s efforts to find a title sponsor, efforts that ultimately failed despite their finding “a good deal of general support for the race through discussions we had with many different companies.”
Draft press release dated November 11, 1999 announcing the WMGPA’s plans to discontinue the Grand Prix in 2000. 22A21
As we build the International Motor Racing Research Center’s Archives, we strive to document all aspects of racing and the business of racing is of particular interest to the Center. We are grateful to Gordon Ensing for collecting these materials and entrusting them to the IMRRC for preservation and use by racing researchers.
During the last several months, the IMRRC has undertaken processing of the valuable and unique Joseph Braig Photographic Collection, which was donated to us for archival storage without limitations on usage by the Braig family. We prepared a presentation of the material for viewing by Mr. Braig’s widow and extended family when they made a formal visit to the IMRRC in April. This collection is expected to be a major asset to the IMRRC’s photographic resources and will be used in exhibits, presentations, and made available for reproduction, with attribution, under the terms of our fee structure.
Don Edmunds at Langthorne
Joe Braig was a skilled photographer who was employed by National Speed Sport News, a publication that served as a virtual bible for American motorsports. His rare pictorial documentation of a unique period in motorsport history is the only collection of this scope and quantity known to exist. Joe Blinebury, Jr., noted motorsports historian, characterized this collection as a “collector’s treasure” and of “museum quality.” Chris Economaki, editor and publisher of National Speed Sport News, a major figure in American motorsports who became a close friend of Mr. Braig, said, “Joe’s photos are among the very best we ever published.”
In addition to fascinating scrapbooks maintained by Mr. Braig, the collection consists primarily of many hundreds of individual prints and digital images, the latter often accompanied by contact sheets, of primarily dirt and asphalt oval track motor racing subjects from Langhorne, Williams Grove, Reading Fairgrounds, Trenton, Indianapolis, and other classic oval tracks from the 1950s to the 1980s.