WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (Feb. 11, 2020) – Peter O. Argetsinger, a member of the International Motor Racing Research Center’s Governing Council and an international racing champion and respected driving coach, is being remembered across the industry for his talents and joy in the sport. Argetsinger died Thursday, Feb. 6, at his home in Watkins Glen after a fight against cancer. He was 69.
As the son of Jean and Cameron Argetsinger, who were the founders and organizers of the first races in Watkins Glen, motorsport was an important part of his life from early on. Maintaining a home in Watkins Glen, as well as Sebring, Fla., Argetsinger was involved with the IMRRC since it opened. He joined the Governing Council in 2018. “Peter was an incredible racer and beloved racing instructor, but most importantly he was a good friend,” John Saunders, senior advisor at NASCAR and chairman of the IMRRC Governing Council, said. “The world of motorsports is richer for his dedication to developing young talent and growing the sport’s future. Pete will always be considered family to the International Motor Racing Research Center, an organization to which he devoted much wisdom and guidance.”
Watkins Glen International President Michael Printup, also a member of the IMRRC’s Governing Council, noted Argetsinger’s dedication to the sport and Watkins Glen. “Peter was an important part in carrying on the legacy and tradition that his father, Cameron, and family started here in Watkins Glen,” Printup said. “He will be remembered for his passion for auto racing and his continued desire to make this community a worldwide staple as an international racing destination.”
“I met Peter this past summer in between his coaching sessions at Watkins Glen International. It was a real pleasure to meet him,” said Dan DeRusha, who was appointed IMRRC executive director last June. “Peter was a constant advocate of the Center, sharing our mission with other racers and carrying on the legacy of Cameron and Jean, who were two of the driving forces behind the creation of the IMRRC.”
Argetsinger pursued a 47-year career as a professional road racing driver until his health failed last fall. He was a member of the Road Racing Drivers Club and had successes on the world’s major courses, initially in Europe and then in the U.S. and South America.
Watkins Glen International was naturally on the list of tracks at which he raced, and in 2011 Argetsinger was inducted into the Watkins Glen Drivers Walk of Fame, a project of the IMRRC. He was introduced by his brother Michael Argetsinger, an award-winning motorsports author. Michael died in 2015.
Argetsinger was named German Rookie of the Year Formula Ford 1974 and set the series’ fastest lap at the famous Hockenheimring, helping his Team Royale clinch the European FF Title. After moving to England, he captured a 1980 British Formula Ford Championship and was voted British Driver of the Year. Competition in Formula Three, sports cars, sedans, as well as IMSA and Daytona prototypes, followed. Argetsinger coached many successful professional 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 and others including James Hinchcliffe, Graham Rahal and Gabby Chaves.
Additionally, he instructed at the Skip Barber racing school, tutored private clients and was chief instructor of the Formula BMW young drivers’ series in the U.S. and in Europe. The U.S. State Department’s Anti-Terrorist Division also used his talents. Up until his final days, he was sought after for the 2020 season as a driver and coach, family members said.
Argetsinger is survived by Sjoukje Schipstra, his beloved wife of 45 years, and his children Kimberley Argetsinger of New York City and J.C.G. Argetsinger of Los Angeles.
The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. on Feb. 14 at the Vedder-Scott-Zinger Funeral Home, 122 N. Genesee St., Montour Falls, New York. A funeral mass will be conducted at St. Mary’s of The Lake Church, 905 N. Decatur St., Watkins Glen, on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 11 a.m.
Download the Full Press Release.
“History in the Making” Appearing in SportsCar February 2020 by Jeff Jacobs
Download the Full Article from SCCA.com
“A Big Hill to Climb” Appearing in SportsCar January 2020 by Jeff Jacobs
Download the original Article.
“Back and Forward” Appearing in SportsCar September 2019 by Jeff Jacobs
Download / View the Original Article.
“Runoffs Past” Appearing in SportsCar October 2019 by Jeff Jacobs
Download / View the Original Article.
“Formula 1 and SCCA” Appearing in SportsCar August 2019 by Jeff Jacobs
Download / View the original article.
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (WETM) – Watkins Glen is home to many different racing related businesses, however none are as expansive as the International Motor Racing Research Center.
In this context, expansive means how much history they are holding. The IMRRC researches and archives anything having to do with international motor racing, and in their own words anything that “has 4 wheels and goes really fast.” They even have a stock sitting car in the middle of their showroom. 18 News visited the IMRRC to talk about what they do and how they are involved with NASCAR Weekend.
Since the IMRRC is a non profit, they rely on fundraising to continue operations. One of their biggest fundraisers is an annual car raffle, this year they are giving away a 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS. Only 3,328 tickets will be sold for this car and they are $40 for one, $100 for three.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Judy Stropus
203-438-0501; cell 203-243-2438
jstropus@earthlink.net
Daniel G. DeRusha Named Executive Director of IMRRC
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (June 4, 2019) – Daniel G. DeRusha, of Corning, N.Y., has been selected as the new executive director of the International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen.
DeRusha joins the IMRRC following a 13-year tenure with the Corning Museum of Glass. During his time at the museum he has held roles managing guest relations, strategic corporate partnerships, and outreach initiatives. He also played an important part in the planning and execution of the GlassBarge, which traveled across New York State in 2017 and 2018 in celebration of the bicentennial of the Erie Canal. Most recently, he served as Manager of Institutional Giving and Chief of Staff for the museum’s advancement department.
He has a BS in Transportation and Distribution Management from Syracuse University and an executive MBA from the Rochester Insitute of Technology’s Saunders College of Business.
“I am honored to join such a professional and passionate team focused on preserving and sharing both our rich local history in motorsports and the expanding international archival collection,” DeRusha said.
“On behalf of our Board of Directors, I am delighted to welcome Dan,” said IMRRC Chairman John Saunders. “In addition to his leadership talents, Dan brings tremendous enthusiasm for motorsports history in Watkins Glen and throughout the world.”
DeRusha brings a personal passion for vintage cars and Upstate New York automotive history to his new position. He currently owns and regularly drives a 1928 Franklin model 12B 5-passenger sedan (manufactured in Syracuse, N.Y.), and a 1977 MGB, which he inherited from his father and ran in several Stone Bridge Driver events during the Grand Prix Festival in Watkins Glen. DeRusha is also a past president of the H.H. Franklin Club.
The IMRRC Search Committee selected DeRusha to oversee a new era of transformation and growth at the Center. As executive director, he will have overall operational, administrative and financial responsibility for the IMRRC. This includes strategic and financial planning, leadership of the Center’s staff, and the management of annual fundraising and membership campaigns.
“The IMRRC establishes Watkins Glen as a center of excellence in the preservation of motorsports history,” DeRusha said. “I look forward to collaborating with the organization’s expert staff and our incredibly accomplished Board of Directors in the continued stewardship of our collections and expansion of our reach within the international motorsports community.”
The IMRRC is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Spanning continents, eras and race series, the IMRRC’s 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 stories of race drivers, race series and race cars captured on its shelves and walls and brought to life through a regular calendar of public lectures, special events and now online through its website, racingarchives.org.
For a more detailed biography of Daniel G. DeRusha, click here.
Daniel G. DeRusha
Dan joins the International Motor Racing Research Center following a 13-year tenure with the Corning Museum of Glass. During his time at the museum Dan held roles managing guest relations, strategic corporate partnerships, and outreach initiatives, including worldwide outreach deployments of the Museum’s mobile hot glassmaking studio and artists. He also played an important part in the planning and execution for the GlassBarge. The barge traveled across New York State in 2017 and 2018 in celebration of the bicentennial of the Erie Canal. Most recently Dan served as Manager of Institutional Giving and Chief of Staff for the museum’s advancement department.
Prior to working at the Corning Museum of Glass, Dan held positions in corporate logistics analysis and operations, supply chain optimization, and hospitality planning. He holds a BS in Transportation and Distribution Management from Syracuse University and an executive MBA from the Rochester Institute of Technology’s Saunders College of Business.
Dan grew up in Honeoye Falls & the Greater Rochester area and has lived and worked along the east coast, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Georgia, before returning “home” to the Finger Lakes region in the 2000s. He currently resides in Corning, NY with his wife and two children.
Dan’s first exposure to organized racing was working communications for STPR rallies in Northern Pennsylvania as a Ham Radio operator with his father in the 1980s. Since returning to the area, events at Watkins Glen International – and especially Vintage Grand Prix weekend – have become mainstays on the family calendar.
Dan also brings a personal passion for vintage cars and Upstate New York automotive history to his new role. He currently owns and regularly drives a 1928 Franklin model 12B 5 passenger sedan (manufactured in Syracuse, NY), and a 1977 MGB, which he inherited from his father and ran in several Stone Bridge Driver events. Dan is also a past president of the H.H. Franklin Club.