Watkins Glen, N.Y. (September 29, 2026) — On September 11, kicking off the 2026 Watkins Glen Grand Prix weekend, the International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), in collaboration with the Watkins Glen Chamber of Commerce and East Shore Marketing, officially launched the new IMRRC app—an interactive way for racing fans and history enthusiasts to explore the people, places, cars and stories that helped make Watkins Glen a legendary racing destination.
Now available through the Apple App Store, Google Play and the web, the free app brings the rich racing history of Watkins Glen to life through an engaging digital experience that can be enjoyed in the Finger Lakes or anywhere in the world.
At the heart of the app is the Original Watkins Glen Road Course, where the first post-World War II road race in the United States was held on the streets of Watkins Glen from 1948 through 1952. Through interactive stories, archival photographs, videos and historical information, users can virtually explore the legendary circuit and discover the people and places that shaped its early racing history.
Visitors can explore historic landmarks including the Start/Finish Line, Collier Brothers Monument, Smalley’s Garage and Seneca Lodge, while uncovering stories of the drivers, races and unforgettable moments that helped establish Watkins Glen as a cornerstone of American motorsports.
The experience extends beyond the original course through the app’s Digital Archives, which offers users a glimpse into the IMRRC’s extensive historical collections. Scrapbooks, photographs, silent films, racing programs and other materials provide a window into the people, events and stories that have shaped motorsports around the world.
For the IMRRC, the app represents another step in making its collections more accessible and engaging for new audiences. By bringing historic materials and stories into an interactive digital format, the Center is helping ensure that the legacy of Watkins Glen and the broader history of motor racing can be discovered and enjoyed by future generations.
“We are excited to open a new door into Watkins Glen’s racing history,” said Margaret Lawrence, Executive Director of the IMRRC. “The app allows people to experience these stories in the very places where they happened, while also giving anyone, anywhere in the world, an opportunity to explore the incredible history preserved at the Center.”
The IMRRC extends its thanks to the Watkins Glen Chamber of Commerce and East Shore Marketing for their collaboration in bringing the project to life.
Whether exploring the Original Watkins Glen Road Course, discovering historic photographs or diving into the IMRRC’s collections, the app offers a new way to connect with the history that put Watkins Glen on the world motorsports map.
The IMRRC invites racing fans, history enthusiasts, families and visitors to the Finger Lakes to download the free IMRRC app and discover Watkins Glen’s racing legacy through a whole new lens.
About The IMRRC: Established in 1998, The International Motor Racing Research Center is a nonprofit 501 © (3) organization dedicated to preserving, collecting, and sharing history of global motorsports through our 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 (@imrrc48)