On The Grid

On Display Now

1960 MGA Twin Cam Roadster

Chassis #YD3 2459

The MGA was purchased new by Karl Stickley of Binghamton, NY, and turned over to local racer Ted Rounds for the 1960 season. It became part of the infamous “Jake’s Stable” racing team. Racing out of Gordy Morris’ garage in Maryland, NY, Robert “Jake” Bucher, Sherm Decker, and Ted Rounds campaigned MG Twin Cams at tracks throughout the Northeast, including Watkins Glen, Lime Rock, Marlboro, and many others with great success.  The “Jake’s Stable” logo of a prancing donkey was an irreverent reference to the Ferrari prancing horse and conveyed an attitude of fierce competitiveness regardless of the odds.

The car was retired from competition in 1962 and purchased by Gordy Ruston, a member of the Binghamton Auto Racing Club (BARC) for track days and pleasure driving. The car sat for decades in Gordy’s garage until it was purchased by fellow BARC member Dan Fadden in 2006. Dan embarked on a 12 year restoration project.

In 2017, the MGA was awarded the “Historical Significance” award at the Watkins Glen Vintage Festival, completing the circle that began 57 years earlier when YD3 2459 first raced at The Glen.

1957 MGA 1500 Factory Backed Sebring Car

Chassis #HDR43 24460

The MGA is one of three factory-backed entries for the 1957 Sebring 12-hour race and is the only known survivor. Prepared by famed New York dealer J.S. Inskip, this car was entered as a part of a three-car team by U.S. distributor Hambro Automotive. Driven by David Ash, Gus Ehrman and John Van Driel, this car finished second in class and, with its two teammates, won the Manufacturers Team Prize for the highest place finish by a team.

This car also played the automotive lead role in the 1957 Amoco film, “12 to Go,” about the 1957 Sebring race.

Also of note: the car raced quite successfully during the 1959 SCCA season, driven by Ted Rounds, and took four first place trophies in eight starts at such tracks as Lime Rock, Watkins Glen, Thompson and Giant’s Despair.

Past Display Cars

When the founders of the International Motor Racing Research Center were working on the details for the new archival and research facility, they knew they wanted the look and feel of a library. Some exhibit space was important, and, foremost, they envisioned space for a race car. Wide double-doors have accommodated the rolling in and out of dozens of different cars since the IMRRC opened in June 1999. The cars are displayed for a few months, often complementing a Center Conversations talk or other event.

If you have an interesting race car you’d be willing to display at the IMRRC in Watkins Glen, N.Y., please email Kip Zeiter, the Coordinator of Visitor Services and Outreach.

Among the cars the IMRRC has hosted: