The Logbook

While people more readily associate American race drivers as appearing in Europe after World War II, it is worth reflecting on one individual, who through circumstances that were not of his own making, took up the mantle in the 1930s. This was Whitney Willard Straight, born in November 1912 in New York. His parents had wealth beyond the dreams of most people, an asset that Whitney put to use in setting up his own race career as well as his own company.

This year’s Grand Prix Festival in Watkins Glen honors Mustang, the original American “pony car.” Ford Motor Company developed the experimental version of the Mustang in 1962 to test new innovations in design and styling, later producing the wildly successful street car that would carry the name and the model’s popularity through almost six decades.

In a bygone era on the African continent, when most southern African countries were colonies under the control of European powers, “Grand Prix” motor racing for sports cars flourished for a brief period of time. One such country involved was Angola, a Portuguese colony, and it was the Portuguese government that encouraged this action as it wanted to expand motorsport in order to build a sense of unity in its empire at a time when there were signs of unrest.

Luis Martinez recounts his trip to the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2022, and his connection to three racers who started at the Monticello Motor Club in Monticello, New York.

Mike Helton, Vice Chairman of NASCAR, is selected to join an elite group of recipients of the Cameron R. Argetsinger Award for Outstanding Contributions to Motorsports. Presented annually by the International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), the Award’s past recipients include Chip Ganassi, Roger Penske and Mario Andretti. The gala and award ceremony will be held on Aug. 19, 2022, at the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel. Motorsports broadcast journalist Dr. Jerry Punch will be emceeing the evening’s festivities.

Donated to the IMRRC by Dr. Gary George.

Home of the Formula One United States Grand Prix for 20 years (1961–1980), “The Glen,” as the Watkins Glen International Circuit is known, was built in record time back in 1956 to host motor races previously held on public roads in and around the village. Jenny Ambrose from the International Motor Racing Research Center writes about the first race meeting… Appearing in Historic Motor Racing News, May 2022 Issue.

The International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen welcomes Beren Argetsinger and Daryl Q. Wolfe to the organization’s Governing Council. The IMRRC’s Governing Council guides the organization and is composed of racing aficionados, library professionals and civic and community leaders from across the United States.

"Opening My Eyes" Appearing in SportsCar Jan/Feb 2022 Issue by Jim Weidenbaum

"The next big car giveaway is here for the International Motor Racing Research Center. In conjunction with the Harbor Hotel and the Fire and Ice event, IMRRC President Mark Steigerwald and their team revealed this year’s special car. You can enter to win the 2022 Corvette IMSA Edition model by entering the contest, which officially went live on Thursday."