WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (March 10, 2025) – Jordan Taylor, driver for the No. 40 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R GTP Team in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, has been named the 2025 Annual Membership Chairperson for the International Motor Racing Research Center, located in Watkins Glen, New York.
Image courtesy of Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing
Taylor, 33, of Forest City, Florida, joins a stellar roster of past membership chairpersons, including Brian Redman, Helio Castroneves, Mario Andretti, Lyn St. James, Phil Hill, Dan Gurney, Sir Stirling Moss, among other illustrious icons of motorsports.
Taylor’s duties for the year include being an advocate in support of the IMRRC’s mission to collect, preserve and share the global history of motorsports, and to help create sustainability by drawing in new generations of motor racing fans.
“I am a huge fan of motorsports, obviously, growing up around the sport and being around sports car racing in particular, as long as I can remember,” said Taylor, son of IMSA team owner and three time World Sportscar Champion, Wayne Taylor. “I’ve always been a fan of the history of the sport, especially my dad’s generation, and the different evolutions of race cars. For me, just being a big fan of the sport makes this assignment exciting for me.”
Taylor’s racing career began in 2011, competing for Autohaus Motorsports. He then moved to Corvette Racing from 2012-2017. Now racing for Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing in IMSA, Taylor and the team won the 2024 12 Hours of Sebring, and were third at the Rolex 24 At Daytona. During his tenure with WTR and Cadillac Racing, he’s collected two overall Prototype championships (2013 and 2017) and two overall Rolex 24 wins (2017 and 2019). Prior to his return to prototype racing, Taylor captured two GTLM championships in 2020 and 2021, a third in GTD-Pro in 2022 and a GTLM class victory at the 2021
Rolex 24.
“I’m probably one of the younger people who has been honored with this position at the IMRRC,” added Taylor. “I think I can connect to the younger generation, who may not appreciate the history of the sport as much as the older generation. I’d like to help my generation get up to speed.”
Mark Steigerwald, Executive Director of the IMRRC, welcomed Taylor, saying, “We are honored to have Jordan join our team as this year’s membership chairperson. I’m confident his passion for the sport as an advocate for the Center’s mission will reach all generations of motor racing fans who can appreciate what the Center is doing to preserve the sport’s rich history.”
LONG BEACH, Calif. (February 24, 2025) – Firestone returns as presenting sponsor of the expanded Road Racing Drivers Club annual legends dinner in Long Beach, California, on Thursday, April 10. The 2025 gala will celebrate the 50 years of racing on the streets of Long Beach, California, and will honor Mario Andretti, Al Unser Jr. and Brian Redman – legendary drivers from the Grand Prix’s rich history.
The “RRDC Celebration of 50 Years of the Grand Prix of Long Beach Presented by Firestone” is the RRDC’s 15th banquet honoring auto racing’s most influential leaders and iconic events. This is Firestone’s 14th year as presenting sponsor of the RRDC gala, and the brand has been affiliated with the Grand Prix of Long Beach for almost three decades.
The dinner and gala will be held at a new venue – the Westin Long Beach Hotel at 333 E. Ocean Blvd. – one day before the start of the 50th Anniversary Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, the third race of the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES.
All proceeds of the dinner will benefit The Mark Donohue Foundation, which supports the RRDC’s SAFEisFAST initiative, and the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach, which supports charities in the Long Beach area. The Foundation’s proceeds from the gala will go to Long Beach City College’s Automotive Technology Program.
Tickets may be purchased on the RRDC web site rrdc.org. All are welcome. This event is expected to sell out, so early reservations are recommended.
“Having Firestone support the RRDC Long Beach dinner for more than a decade is a true privilege,” said RRDC President Bobby Rahal. “This year’s gala is very special, as it celebrates the 50 years that racing has taken place annually on the streets of this great port city.
“Firestone has an unrivaled heritage in motorsports dating back to the first Indy 500® in 1911. We always welcome Firestone’s support, and salute the brand’s long-standing success and contributions to the sport.”
“Each year, the Road Racing Drivers Club event is a highlight of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend,” said Grand Prix Association of Long Beach President & CEO Jim Michaelian. “And this year is especially meaningful as we join with the RRDC in honoring three true legends of the sport—Mario Andretti, Al Unser Jr., and Brian Redman. Their contributions to Long Beach motorsports history have inspired generations of drivers and fans alike, and we are thrilled to celebrate their incredible legacies during this special evening.”
In previous years, the RRDC has honored individual icons of the sport: Dan Gurney, Parnelli Jones, Roger Penske, Jim Hall, Brian Redman, Mario Andretti, Bobby Unser, George Follmer, Emerson Fittipaldi, Johnny Rutherford. David Hobbs, Rick Mears, Jacky Ickx and Sir Jackie Stewart. These RRDC galas are acknowledged as highlights of the auto-racing social calendar, drawing fans and luminaries from all forms of motorsports.
 Image courtesy of Grand Prix of Long Beach Mario Andretti won at Long Beach four times and is credited with establishing the race as a world-class event, winning the 1977 Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix West and the 1984 race when the event switched to Indy cars. |
 Image courtesy of Grand Prix of Long Beach Al Unser Jr. is the winningest driver at Long Beach, with six victories (1988-91 and 1994-95) over a dominant eight-year span. |
 Indira Flack image Brian Redman won the inaugural Long Beach race in 1975, an SCCA/USAC Formula 5000 event, which set the stage for Formula 1 to race on the city streets for the next eight years. |
About Firestone Racing:
The Firestone brand has participated in world-class motorsports events for more than a century, and racing has played an integral role in building and shaping Firestone into the time-tested, iconic brand it is today. Harvey Firestone, the brand’s founder and a pioneer of sports marketing, was one of the first to use racing as the ultimate proving ground for his tires. Ever since Ray Harroun’s Firestone-equipped Marmon Wasp won the inaugural Indianapolis 500® in 1911, Firestone has worked to constantly evolve and advance race tire technology. Overall, Firestone tires have carried the winner of the Indy 500 to victory circle 75 times – more than double all other tire manufacturers combined. Firestone has served as INDYCAR’s sole tire supplier since 2000, and the brand’s on-track success translates to durable, dependable performance and uncompromising quality on the open road.
About the RRDC:
The Road Racing Drivers Club was formed in 1952 as a way to give champion drivers a say in their sport, particularly in the areas of safety, and has evolved to serve the future of road racing by mentoring new drivers on both amateur and professional levels. The Club’s membership includes leading industry professionals, race officials and motorsports journalists, in addition to prominent racing names.
In 2011, the RRDC launched a free on-line training seminar – www.SAFEisFAST.com – featuring RRDC members and other industry experts in high-quality videos covering subjects from physical and mental preparation to driving techniques, driver safety to car setup and sponsorship. The videos are updated regularly. Each week, a professional from the world of motor racing answers readers’ questions on the site in a feature called ‘Ask a Pro.’ Bobby Rahal is President, John Fergus is Vice President/Treasurer and John Clagett is Secretary. The RRDC presents three annual awards: the Phil Hill Award, the Mark Donohue Award, and the Bob Akin Award. Membership in the RRDC is by invitation only. Additional information on the organization may be found at www.rrdc.org.
About the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach:
The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach celebrates its 50th anniversary April 11-13, 2025, and is North America’s longest-running street race. Hosting more than 190,000 people over its three-day weekend, the Acura Grand Prix is second only to the Indianapolis 500 in popularity on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar. Five additional racing series, including the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, compete during the weekend which also includes a variety of off-the-track activities such as concerts, a Lifestyle Expo, an exotic car show and more. For more information, visit gplb.com.
About the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach:
The Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach, since its inception in 1991, has donated more than $4.2 million to Southern California charities. In addition, the Foundation donates tickets and hospitality packages to the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach and tickets to the Foundation’s “Grand Prix Charity Days” events to charitable and civic organizations to assist them in their fundraising efforts or, in some cases, to bring the physically or mentally challenged to a “day at the races.” For more information, visit gpflb.com.
Road Racing Drivers Club rrdc.org
“From the Archives” 2025 Calendars are still available, a monthly calendar with 13 historically significant photos selected from our archives. Perfect for your home, office, shop or garage!
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PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (November 23, 2024) — At the annual ceremony for the prestigious International Historic Motoring Awards, held in London on Friday night, the 73rd Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance was named the Motoring Event of the Year.
In accepting the award, Concours Chairman Sandra Button recognized the team of 1,200 volunteers who make the event possible, and then she emphasized the importance of the cars themselves: “I’m here to represent the cars,” she said. “We can’t do this without them.”
Sandra went on to talk about the importance of caring for the cars and maintaining their authenticity—particularly as new technologies arise that can so easily change things: “We have to be fair to the cars, the history, the people. I look at the restorers and I think, ‘Please be careful. Please keep these cars real. Authenticity is all we have.’”
She also recognized enthusiasts like Fritz Burkard of Switzerland, “who brings his cars to life with his passion.” Burkard’s 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports took the top award at the 2024 Pebble Beach Concours—it was the first preservation car ever to do so—and during the IHMA ceremony, it was named Car of the Year.
One of the Concours’ Best of Show Nominees, a 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Saoutchik Fastback Coupé owned by Robert Kudela of the Czech Republic, was named the Restoration of the Year. And Bruce Meyer, a longtime Concours advisor, was recognized for Personal Achievement. The awards also recognized many other friends of the Concours.
The International Historic Motoring Awards are offered by the team at Hothouse Media, which publishes Magneto and Octane magazines. The presenting sponsor of this notable occasion was Lockton Insurance Brokers.
IHMA Organizers say the Motoring Event of the Year award goes to “the world’s best motoring event, whether a festival, concours, one-marque gathering, anniversary celebration or other collector car show.” And the Restoration of the Year award is “for the best classic car restoration completed since October 2023.” A panel of judges determine these and many other winners. The Car of the Year award, chosen by an online public vote, goes to “the car — classic or new — that has made the greatest impact on the collector car world this year.”
The 74th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance will take place on Sunday, August 17, 2025, and will celebrate the centennials of Invicta, Chrysler, and Moretti, the creations of Virgil Exner, the 75th anniversary of Formula 1, and Japanese Concepts & Prototypes—with other features to come. For more information on the Pebble Beach Concours, or to purchase tickets, visit www.pebblebeachconcours.net.
Graphics: International Historic Motoring Awards, with photos from Kimball Studios/Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
About Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
First conducted in 1950, Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance® (www.pebblebeachconcours.net) has grown to be the world’s premier celebration of the automobile. Only the most beautiful and historic cars are invited to appear on the famed 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links®, and connoisseurs of art and style gather to admire these masterpieces. Charitable donations raised by Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance® now total over $41 million. Related events include Pebble Beach Tour d’ Elegance® presented by Rolex, Pebble Beach RetroAuto™, Pebble Beach Classic Car Forum™ presented by Alliant Private Client, and Pebble Beach® Auctions presented by Gooding & Company. Pebble Beach®, Pebble Beach Golf Links®, Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, Pebble Beach Tour d’ Elegance®, Pebble Beach RetroAuto™, Pebble Beach Classic Car Forum™, and Pebble Beach® Automotive Week are trademarks, service marks and trade dress of Pebble Beach Company. All rights reserved. For more information, please call 831-622-1700 or visit pebblebeachconcours.net.
About Pebble Beach Company
Pebble Beach Company, headquartered in Pebble Beach, Calif., owns and operates the world-famous Pebble Beach Resorts®, including The Lodge at Pebble Beach™, The Inn at Spanish Bay™, and Casa Palmero®. The company also operates five renowned golf courses: Pebble Beach Golf Links®, Spyglass Hill® Golf Course, The Links at Spanish Bay™, Del Monte™ Golf Course, and The Hay. Its other famed properties include scenic 17-Mile Drive®, The Spa at Pebble Beach™ and Pebble Beach Golf Academy™. It annually hosts premier events such as the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance®, Pebble Beach Food & Wine, TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational, and the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee. Future site of the 2027, 2032, 2037, and 2044 U.S. Open Championships and the 2035, 2040 and 2048 U.S. Women’s Opens, Pebble Beach Golf Links® has hosted six U.S. Opens, five U.S. Amateurs, one PGA Championship, one U.S. Women’s Open and numerous other tournaments. For reservations or more information, please call 800-654-9300 or visit pebblebeach.com.
Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, was honored at a gala dinner on Thursday with the 10th annual International Motor Racing Research Center’s Cameron R. Argetsinger Award for outstanding contributions to motorsports.
Returning to the site of the inaugural award dinner held at the Corning Museum of Glass which recognized multi-race team owner Chip Ganassi in 2014, Brown was presented with an etched glass trophy by founding member and past president of the IMRRC, J.C. Argetsinger. Motorsports TV broadcaster Dr. Jerry Punch was the Master of Ceremonies. Punch has become the voice of the IMRRC Argetsinger Award presentations, having been the M.C. for nine of the 10 years.
“It is such a wonderful thing that Zak has brought back the Formula 1 McLaren team to its preeminence in racing,” said Argetsinger, Cameron’s eldest son and a retired Schuyler (N.Y.) County judge. “For that alone, he is so well deserving of this award. There were other great constructors and owners [in the early days of F1], along with Bruce McLaren, John Cooper, Colin Chapman, Jack Brabham, all giants. And Zak is filling the same role today. He’s a businessman and leader. We are thrilled that Zak would take time out of his busy schedule to be with us tonight.”
Video shout-outs were shown, sharing congratulatory, often humorous, messages from racing and entertainment industry celebrities, including David Hobbs, Al Unser Jr., Mario Andretti, Michael Andretti, IMSA’s John Doonan, Emerson Fittipaldi, United Autosport’s Richard Dean, and musicians John Oates and Zac Brown of Zac Brown Band.
Also acknowledging Brown’s accomplishments, both as a businessman and a race driver, were IndyCar Arrow McLaren’s Sam Schmidt, and IndyCar and F1 McLaren Racing drivers Pato O’Ward, Nolan Siegel, Alexander Rossi, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
The 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner and former chairman of the IMRRC Governing Council, Bobby Rahal, conducted a spirited interview with Brown, also fielding questions from the audience.
“It is my honor and privilege to introduce all of you to my friend Zak Brown,” said Rahal. “The thing that first struck me about Zak is that he’s a racer. There is no doubt of that. That’s what drives the energy of his commitment, which is unbelievable. I don’t know how he does it. It’s really amazing to have witnessed what he’s done over the years.”
Brown was touched by the kudos he received during the evening.
“It’s unbelievable to be with all of you here to watch the videos with all those legends and to be hanging out with Bobby. I appreciate everyone showing up tonight and thank you so very much,” he said, adding, “It’s an honor and privilege and a surprise to win this very prestigious award. The legends that have won this award are some of my heroes growing up. I’m so happy to be able to work in this awesome sport of ours and with McLaren specifically.”
John Saunders, Chairman of the IMRRC Governing Council, spoke about the IMRRC’s mission to help preserve the important legacy of motorsports, while David Suess spoke on behalf of Diamond Sponsor The Esses. Sahlen’s, which has been a continuing supporter of the CRA Award dinners since the first year, was also a Diamond Sponsor.
“Presenting the Cameron R. Argetsinger Award serves the dual purpose of honoring an outstanding contributor to motorsports while also providing an enjoyable evening for guests and sponsors who appreciate the mission of the IMRRC,” said Mark Steigerwald, Executive Director of the IMRRC. “They in turn participate in one of the IMRRC’s most significant annual fundraising events. The dinner was a resounding success. Zak Brown’s generosity enhanced the live auction portion of the evening. Many of our event sponsors have been with us since the beginning, a further endorsement of our mission to preserve motorsport history.”
A 60″x42″ acrylic painting created during the reception and gala by famed motorsports artist Bill Patterson was auctioned off at the end of the evening. It depicted the 1991 Monaco-winning McLaren F1 car driven by Ayrton Senna, with a current McLaren F1 car in the background. Also auctioned was a specially-commissioned Corning Museum of Glass-created glass sculpture of a McLaren racing car, plus a driving suit worn by Oscar Piastri during practice at Saudi Arabia in 2024 (donated by McLaren Racing). An on-line silent auction was also held. All proceeds will go to the IMRRC, a 501(c)(3) organization.
Two vintage McLaren race cars were on display at the entry: A 1975 McLaren M23, owned by Greg Galdi, which was driven to the Argentinian GP win that year by Emerson Fittipaldi, and Rob Dyson’s 1974 McLaren M16C/D that David Hobbs, Salt Walther and Jerry Karl raced. Three road-goingMcLarens, driven by guests at the dinner, were also featured at the entry.
Established in 2014, the CRA Award had been presented to such legends of the sport as Chip Ganassi, Roger Penske, Mario Andretti, Richard Petty, the France Family, Bobby Rahal, Lyn St. James, Mike Helton and Richard Childress. Lesa Kennedy and Ben Kennedy of the France family were present, along with Rahal, St. James and Childress.
The award memorializes Cameron Argetsinger, often referred to as the father of American road racing. He 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 1 to WGI 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.
Chief Executive Officer of The Esses, David Suess, right, presents a check to IMRRC’s Executive Director Mark Steigerwald in support of the Cameron R. Argetsinger Award to be presented to McLaren Racing’s Zak Brown on September 12. (Image courtesy of The Esses)
Annual gala to recognize Brown for his universal contributions to help advance and improve the sport of motor racing
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (August 1, 2024) – The Esses at Watkins Glen, a high-end motorsports community neighboring one of the world’s most iconic race tracks – Watkins Glen International – has joined Sahlen’s as a Diamond Sponsor of the 10th annual IMRRC Cameron R. Argetsinger Award gala honoring McLaren Racing’s Chief Executive Officer Zak Brown..
The event returns to the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York, on September 12, where the inaugural dinner was held honoring multi-race-team owner Chip Ganassi in 2014. Past honorees have also included Roger Penske, Mario Andretti, Richard Petty, Lyn St. James, Richard Childress, Bobby Rahal, the France Family and Mike Helton.
Presented by NASCAR, Watkins Glen International and IMSA, the dinner and presentation will be held prior to the running of the NASCAR Go Bowling at The Glen event, September 11-15, at WGI.
Building on 75 years of racing history, The Esses community will be “living among the legends” of past celebrated racers and teams. The trackside living will provide full amenities such as direct access to WGI, concierge services, and club house. The location also provides access to the historic village of Watkins Glen, and the greater Finger Lakes region. More information may be found at https://theesses.com.
“The Esses is proud to be a Diamond Sponsor for the IMRRC’s 10th Annual Cameron R. Argetsinger Award to Zak Brown,” said David Suess, CEO of The Esses. “Zak’s leadership and skills have transformed the McLaren Racing team to be a force in the racing community. The soul and DNA of The Esses community is ‘living among legends – legends like Zak Brown and all other past legends who have driven and managed racing teams at Watkins Glen International. The IMRRC is the voice of those legends!!”
“We are honored to welcome The Esses to join Sahlen’s and the other supporters of the IMRRC dinner honoring Zak Brown,” said IMRRC Executive Director Mark Steigerwald. “The new dynamic that The Esses will bring to Watkins Glen can only enhance a race fan’s experience visiting this historic town and area. We at the IMRRC are privileged to be a part of this significant and vibrant community.”
Famed motorsports TV commentator Dr. Jerry Punch will be the M.C. of the event, while Bobby Rahal, the 1986 Indy 500 winner and current NTT INDYCAR SERIES team owner, will introduce Brown at the gala and will interview him on stage. Rahal is also a past Chairman of the Board of the IMRRC.
The gala is open to the public. Tickets may be purchased at the IMRRC Store. Sponsorship packages are also available. Contact Mark Steigerwald at mark@racingarchives.org. All proceeds benefit the IMRRC, a 501(c)(3 organization.
The award memorializes Cameron R. Argetsinger, often referred to as the father of American road racing. He was a visionary who, in 1948, conceived, organized, and drove in the first port-war road race in America through the roads of Watkins Glen. He brought Formula 1 to WGI 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.
A full Zak Brown bio may be found HERE. McLaren Racing – Official Website
Other sponsors and supporters of the Cameron R. Argetsinger Award dinner include SCCA Inc.; SCCA Foundation; Hilliard Corporation; Hendrick Motorsports; The Gorsline Company Inc.; Larry and Karen Kessler; Williams Toyota of Elmira; Richard Childress Racing; Team Penske; Glenora Wine Cellars; Greg Galdi; Welliver; and Women in Motorsports North America.
The Esses at Watkins Glen is a high-end motorsports community neighboring the world’s most iconic race track, Watkins Glen International. Building on 75 years of racing history, The Esses community will be “living among the legends” of past legendary racers and teams. The trackside living will provide full amenities like direct access to WGI, concierge services, and club house. The location also provides access to the historic village of Watkins Glen, and the greater Finger Lakes region. https://theesses.com
The International Motor Racing Research Center collects, shares and preserves the history of motorsports. Spanning continents, eras and race series, the Center’s extensive historical collection embodies the speed, drama and camaraderie of amateur and professional motor racing throughout the world. The Center welcomes serious researchers and casual fans alike to share the stories captured on our shelves and walls, and brought to life through a regular calendar of public lectures and special events. www.racingarchives.org
Contact: Judy Stropus, 203-438-0501; cell 203-243-2438; jvstropus@gmail.com
BELLEVUE, Wash. (July 5, 2024) – “On the Prowl: The Definitive History of the Walkinshaw Jaguar Sports Car Team,” by Neil Smith, is now available from David Bull Publishing, and may be purchased at Bull Publishing.
“On the Prowl” tells the rich and fascinating story of TWR’s Jaguar sports car programs with the help of those who were there.
When Jaguar won the storied 24 Hours of Le Mans five times in the 1950s, it transformed a company known for smooth and luxurious cars into a true sporting icon, creating fast and beautiful models such as the C-type, D-type and the beloved symbol of the Swinging Sixties, the E-type.
First-time author Smith tells the tale of how the stage was set for a bright future for the marque, but a tumultuous decision to merge with BMC, known for the Mini, in 1966 eventually landed Jaguar inside Britain’s worst car company, British Leyland, and threatened the very future of the prestigious marque.
As a new management team sought to right the ship in the early 1980s, they turned to motorsports as a tool for rebuilding Jaguar’s reputation, with a series of racing programs in the United States run by Bob Tullius’ Group 44 and a parallel touring car effort in Europe led by the fiercely competitive and determined Scotsman Tom Walkinshaw.
Under Walkinshaw’s no-nonsense leadership, his TWR team took few prisoners on the race track, garnering prestigious wins and championships before laying claim to the right to take on Jaguar’s ultimate goal: a return to victory at Le Mans.
Bolstered by more than 650 images and period documents, many never before published, the development of the mighty XJR sports-prototype racers is described in detail, along with the fascinating stories of creating success on track.
With the help of interviews with some of Jaguar’s most successful drivers, including Derek Warwick, David Brabham, Eddie Cheever and Andy Wallace, as well as key technical team members such as designer Tony Southgate and team managers Alastair Macqueen and Tony Dowe, the book goes far beyond the race results of the TWR team, uncovering how and why it achieved such enormous success.
Alongside the TWR story is the equally important background of the meteoric rise and sudden fall of Jaguar itself during the 1980s, mirrored by the fortunes of sports car racing at the same time, all of which is covered in great depth by the author, in an engaging and highly-readable style that races along.
About the Author:
Irish-born, British-raised and California-domiciled, Neil Smith’s love of motorsports came from his father, himself a former grasstrack motorcycle racer. He attended his first Group C race, the 1985 Brands Hatch 1000 km, at the age of 9 and from that point on became a scholar of sports car racing and its history. In 1994 he moved to the United States, but not before making the first of many trips to the Le Mans 24 Hours, traveling alone on a charter flight with a small backpack containing nothing more than a few clothes and a hat. After kicking off a career in the technology industry, he began writing a motorsports-focused blog called The Fastest Lap, which led to work covering IMSA and Grand-Am for the predecessor of Sportscar365, one of the top sports car racing news websites. A continued fascination with Group C and IMSA GTP was the catalyst for the research that led to “On the Prowl: The Definitive History of the Walkinshaw Jaguar Sports Car Team,” Smith’s debut book.
He has participated in numerous racing and track activities, including as a co-driver in the U.S. national rally championship, a team owner and driver in the 24 Hours of Lemons and at numerous track days behind the wheel of cars such as a Porsche 944, Subaru STI and various Alfa Romeos. Smith lives in Northern California’s Sonoma region with his wife Kristin, teenage daughter Poppy, an introverted terrier and some aloof chickens. When not following motorsports, he can often be found playing guitar in a ’90s tribute band.
About the Publisher:
David Bull Publishing is dedicated to the goal of producing the best books in motorsports. Founded in 1995, the company has consistently won praise from readers and the media for the editorial quality and presentation of its titles.
The company’s first book, “Sebring: The Official History of America’s Great Sports Car Race,” was named Book of the Year by the American Auto Writing and Broadcasters Association. Every year since then David Bull Publishing has consistently received excellent reviews and won awards, including the prestigious Dean Batchelor Award, the Motor Press Guild’s Best Book Award, as well as several gold and silver medals from the Independent Book Publishers Association.
In 2018, Bull’s groundbreaking biography “Enzo Ferrari: Power, Politics, and the Making of an Automotive Empire” was featured in the New York Times and other major media outlets. In 2015 Sam Posey’s “Where The Writer Meets The Road” was named the Motor Press Guild’s Best Book.
Founder David Bull passed away from a long illness in 2021, and the DBP team has picked up the mantle. Titles for 2024 include: “Ferrari in America: Luigi Chinetti and the North American Racing Team,” by Michael Lynch with János L. Wimpffen; “On The Prowl: The Definitive History of the Walkinshaw Jaguar Sports Car Team,” by Neil Smith; Volumes IV (1980-1989) and V (1990-1999) of “Twice Around the Clock, The Yanks at Le Mans,” by Tim Considine; and Randy Leffingwell’s “Against All the Others: Porsche’s Racing History Volume 1, 1968.” https://www.bullpublishing.com/.
One of the coolest things anyone can have is a unique keychain, something that succinctly reflects interests and passions. Check out the new IMRRC keychain here!
This year’s Membership Chairperson is IndyCar driver Alexander Rossi, who made motorsport history in 2016 as the first American to win the Indianapolis 500 as a rookie since 1928.
Alexander began racing go-karts by age 10 and it didn’t take him long to find success behind the wheel. By 14 years old, he had won multiple national and international karting championships. Moving on from karting, Alexander made the jump in 2008 to becoming Formula BMW World Champion, winning the most poles and victories in series history. At 17, Alexander moved to Europe in his pursuit of F1 and, at the time, was the youngest driver to hold an F1 Super License. Six years later, in 2015, he made five F1 Grand Prix starts for Manor Racing.
Alexander moved back to the United States in 2016 to race for Andretti Herta Autosport as a rookie in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. That’s where, in his fifth start, he won the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500, coasting to the finish line without fuel. Alexander made the move to Arrow McLaren from Andretti Autosport, and over his eight seasons in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES he has compiled eight wins, seven poles and 29 podium finishes. He was remarkably consistent in his first season in papaya, with six top-five and 11 top-10 finishes.
Alexander enters his second season in the No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, looking to build off his 2023 campaign with the team in which he finished ninth in the championship.