Mr. Tommy Hilfiger Honored with IMRRC’s 2026 Cameron R. Argetsinger Award
Sold-out gala celebrates the fashion icon’s contributions to motorsports and supports the preservation of racing history
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (October 21, 2026) – Global fashion icon and longtime motorsports enthusiast Tommy Hilfiger was honored on October 15, 2026 as the 12th recipient of the International Motor Racing Research Center’s (IMRRC) Cameron R. Argetsinger Award for his outstanding contributions to the world of motorsports and his role in bringing fashion, sport and entertainment together on a global stage.
The 2026 IMRRC Gala, presented by Chemung Canal Trust Company, was held at the renowned Corning Museum of Glass. This sold-out event brought together motorsports leaders, racing enthusiasts, friends and supporters to celebrate Hilfiger’s achievements and benefit the Center’s mission to preserve and share racing history.
Hilfiger accepted the prestigious Cameron R. Argetsinger Award from J.C. Argetsinger, son of Cameron R. Argetsinger, and P.J. Reynolds, Vice President of Global Sponsorships at Tommy Hilfiger.
“Receiving this award from the International Motor Racing Research Center means a great deal to me, as motorsports has been part of my life since I was a teenager,” said Tommy Hilfiger. “When I founded my brand in 1985, I wanted it to be part of culture. For more than three decades, our racing partnerships have brought that vision to life through what I call ‘fashiontainment’ — fusing fashion, art, music, entertainment and sport. I’m grateful to the teams, drivers and partners who have shared that journey, and excited for our next chapter with the Cadillac Formula 1® Team. To be honored so close to where it all began, surrounded by family and friends, made the moment incredibly special.”
“Tommy Hilfiger’s influence extends far beyond the fashion industry. His passion for motorsports and his ability to connect racing with a global audience make him a wonderful choice for the Cameron R. Argetsinger Award,” said Margaret Lawrence, Executive Director of the IMRRC. “It was a special evening for the Center, and we are grateful to everyone who came together to celebrate Tommy, share their love of racing and support our mission to preserve its history.”
Celebrating Tommy’s Commitment To Motorsports Fashion
The evening opened with a cocktail reception sponsored by Welliver in the Corning Museum of Glass Amphitheater, where guests were immersed in the intersection of motorsports and fashion. Displays featuring team kits designed by the TOMMY HILFIGER brand for the Cadillac Formula 1® Team, the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, Scuderia Ferrari, Team Lotus, F1®️ Academy, and Formula One Management highlighted the evolution of motorsports fashion and the distinctive identities that define racing teams across generations.
Together, the displays illustrated how fashion has become an integral part of motorsports culture, reflecting the personalities of drivers, the character of teams and the sport’s growing global reach. The presentation offered a fitting tribute to Hilfiger, whose career has helped bring fashion and motorsports together in the international spotlight.
That connection continued throughout the evening with personalized video messages from prominent figures in motorsports celebrating Hilfiger’s longstanding relationships across Formula 1®️ and the impact of his work.
A highlight of the gala was An Evening with Tommy Hilfiger, sponsored by the Cadillac Formula 1® Team. In a conversation with Master of Ceremonies Dr. Jerry Punch, Hilfiger reflected on his upbringing in nearby Elmira, New York, the creation of his global fashion brand and the passion for racing that has connected the two throughout his career.
The discussion offered guests a personal perspective on the experiences and inspirations that shaped Hilfiger’s career, exploring the connections between his roots in the Southern Tier of New York, his creative vision and his involvement in racing. By bringing these stories to the stage, the conversation underscored how the people and experiences behind motorsports are just as important to its history as the cars and competitions themselves.
Art once again played a central role in the gala with the return of artist Bill Patterson, who created a painting live throughout the evening in honor of Hilfiger and his contributions to the sport.
Patterson’s finished work was a 60-by-42-inch acrylic painting featuring a Cadillac Formula 1®️ Team car from the 2026 season. Auctioned at the conclusion of the evening, the original artwork offered guests a unique opportunity to take home a piece of motorsports-inspired art while directly supporting the IMRRC’s initiatives.
The Stories That Make Racing Special
While the evening celebrated Hilfiger’s contributions to motorsports, it also highlighted the importance of preserving the sport’s rich history. Proceeds from the IMRRC Gala benefit the International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to collecting, preserving and sharing motorsports history.
From photographs, films and racing programs to books, documents and memorabilia, The Center safeguards the stories of the people, teams and events that have shaped the sport. Through its extensive archives, research services, exhibits, educational initiatives and community programming, the IMRRC makes this history accessible to racing enthusiasts, researchers, students and future generations.
The success of the gala would not be possible without the generosity of its sponsors, donors, volunteers and guests. The IMRRC extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make the 12th annual celebration possible and continues to support The Center’s mission.
2026 Cameron R. Argetsinger Award Gala Sponsors
The International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC) gratefully acknowledges the following sponsors and supporters for their generous contributions to the 2026 Cameron R. Argetsinger Award Gala:
Chemung Canal Trust Company, Welliver, Cadillac Formula 1® Team, John R. Cook Painting, Elm Chevrolet, Glenora Wine Cellars, Global Prairie, Gorsline Company, Hank Kimball, Hilliard Corporation, HighStreet Insurance Partners, TOMMY HILFIGER, John and Susie Alexander, Larry and Karen Kessler, MULTIMEDIA Services, MMB & Co., NASCAR, Watkins Glen International, RAVINES Wine Cellars, SCCA Inc/SCCA Foundation, Whiteman Osterman and Hanna, LLP, and Williams Auto Group.
The IMRRC sincerely appreciates the support of these organizations and individuals. Their generosity helps The Center continue collecting, preserving and sharing the history of motorsports.
For more information about the Cameron R. Argetsinger Award, the Center’s collections and opportunities to support its mission, visit www.racingarchives.org.
About TOMMY HILFIGER
TOMMY HILFIGER is one of the world’s most recognized premium lifestyle brands, welcoming and inspiring consumers since 1985. Originally established in New York City and infused with the spirit of Americana, the brand is defined by its red, white and blue DNA, rooted in expressions that are vibrant, confident and brave. The brand’s collections celebrate “Prep made Modern,” fusing timeless classics with a fresh twist. Tommy Hilfiger offers premium quality and value to consumers worldwide under the TOMMY HILFIGER and TOMMY JEANS lifestyles, with a breadth of collections and products including men’s, women’s and kids’ sportswear, denim, accessories, footwear and fragrance.
Part of PVH Corp. [NYSE: PVH], global retail sales of TOMMY HILFIGER products were approximately $9 billion in 2025, with broad distribution around the world, including its largest global flagship store at tommy.com. Connect with TOMMY HILFIGER on Instagram, X, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.
About the IMRRC
Established in 1998, the International Motor Racing Research Center is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preserving, collecting, and sharing history of global motorsports through its extensive collection of artifacts, films, memorabilia, and archival materials.
Connect with the IMRRC
To keep up to date on the latest IMRRC Center news, visit racingarchives.org or connect on Facebook and Instagram (@IMRRC) as well as TikTok (@imrc48).