John Saunders is the new chairman of the International Motor Racing Research Center.
He was elected to the position at the Center’s recent council meeting. Saunders is currently President of the International Speedway Corporation. He has been with ISC since 1998. He has served in various roles over his tenure at the company with expertise in strategic direction, marketing, sales, administration and operations. Saunders also served as President of
Watkins Glen International from 1983-1997, leading the track out of bankruptcy to become one of the premier road racing venues in the world. Currently, he is Chariman of the Board of Directors at WGI and holds several other executive positions in the company.
Saunders is taking the reins from long-time IMRRC governing council chair, Bobby Rahal. Rahal was elected to the position in 2014. “I am very pleased to have been selected by the other council members to become the chair of the organization” Saunders said. “Bobby has provided superb leadership in his time as chair and, as such, it’s really been a seamless transition.”
Saunders had served as Vice-Chair of the IMRRC since 2002. Micheal Printup, President of WGI and IMRRC governing council member, spoke of Saunder’s capabilities and the future of the Center. “John was really instrumental in the founding of the IMRRC,” Printup said. “His early leadership with the organization really set the course for the Center’s growth from a small alcove in the local library to a respected research facility known worldwide. As the Center is now bursting at the seems with archival holdings and a reputation as the ‘go to’ place to research racing history, John’s experience in guiding exponential growth at both WGI and ISC will be immensely valuable as the IMRRC expands.”
Saunders has held similar roles for many organizations in the past, including Chairman of the Chemung County (N.Y.) Chamber of Commerce and the Schuyler County (N.Y.) Partnership for Economic Development. He has served on numerous boards of directors, including Grand American Road Racing and the United States Auto Club.