Dinner open to public; tickets still available
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (August 5, 2025) – Motorsports icons David Hobbs, Bob Varsha and Dr. Jerry Punch will host the International Motor Racing Research Center’s 11th annual gala, presented by Sahlen’s, honoring racing legend Brian Redman on September 4, at the Corning (N.Y) Museum of Glass. The IMRRC, a research and archival library focused on the history of all types of racing and all race tracks worldwide, will present Redman with its annual Cameron R. Argetsinger Award for Outstanding Contributions to Motorsports.
The gala will be held in advance of the SVRA 2025 Mission Foods Watkins Glen Speedtour, September 5-7, at Watkins Glen International, and the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Festival on September 5. It is open to the public, with tickets available for purchase at IMRRC Store. The dinner serves as key fundraiser for the IMRRC, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which opened in 1999.
Dr. “Doc” Jerry Punch has been the M.C. of the Argetsinger Award gala since the inaugural dinner honoring Chip Ganassi in 2014. He will be joined on stage by racing-champion-turned-
Full bios on Redman, Hobbs, Varsha and Punch may be found HERE.
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| From left to right: David Hobbs. (Image courtesy of David Hobbs), Bob Varsha. (Image courtesy of Karen Varsha) and Dr. Jerry “Doc” Punch. (Image courtesy of ESPN) | ||
With this trio of proven humorists, historians and hilarious racing story-tellers, the evening is expected to more than just amuse the audience. Here’s what the M.C.s had to say:
“The first time I was aware of Brian Herman Thomas Redman was at Mallory Park (in England), a very short but fast track. We were both driving Lola T70s, I for John Surtees, the factory car, Brian a privateer. My car had a mechanical issue and I watched Brian at speed. I knew then I and my career were in trouble. He was very fast and extremely brave.” – David Hobbs
“My career in broadcasting was a mere stroke of luck; something I never planned on. The fact that it made it possible to get to know people like Brian, David, and so many other fascinating personalities over the years is something I am beyond grateful for. That being so, I cannot wait to spend an evening with Doc Punch and these two fast geezers.” – Bob Varsha
“I’ve been around a lot of drivers who believed they were invincible, Brian proved it in 1977. He flipped a Can-Am car 40 feet in the air at Circuit Mont-Tremblant, Canada, and suffered a broken neck, multiple fractures and brain injury. The ambulance blew a tire on the way to the hospital. He was declared dead at the scene, but somehow survived and just nine months later, in his first race back, WON the 12 hours of Sebring! Total Badass!!” – Dr. Jerry Punch
The award memorializes Cameron R. Argetsinger, founder and organizer of the first races at Watkins Glen more than 70 years ago. It was established to honor a person who is recognized universally for having advanced and improved the sport, who brings prestige to motorsports and who demonstrates commitment to the future of racing.
Previous recipients have included Chip Ganassi, Roger Penske, Mario Andretti, Richard Petty, the France Family, Bobby Rahal, Lyn St. James, Mike Helton, Richard Childress and Zak Brown.
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| From left to right: Brian Redman. (Image courtesy of IMRRC) and The 2025 Cameron R. Argetsinger Award honoring Brian Redman. (Image courtesy of IMRRC) | |