We were saddened to hear of the passing of long-time IMRRC friend and supporter Tim Meddaugh in February. Tim was an avid racing fan and a 55-year member of the SCCA. Tim served as a flagger and chief steward for most of those years. A celebration of life will be held at a favorite destination of Tim’s, the Seneca Lodge, on April 6th, more details to follow. All are welcome.
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (July 9, 2015) – Michael R. Argetsinger, a founder of the International Motor Racing Research Center and an award-winning motorsports author, died July 7 at his home in Chicago.
Argetsinger was a member of the steering committee that in 1997 began planning for the Racing Research Center, an archival and research library dedicated to the preservation of the history of motorsports. He was a member of the Center’s Governing Council at the time of his death from cancer.
Argetsinger is survived by his wife, Dr. Lee Green of Chicago. He was 70.
“Michael was the Center’s core. His enduring commitment was the foundation of our success,” said J.C. Argetsinger, IMRRC president and Michael’s brother.
“He was always developing ideas to enhance the Center’s standing in the motorsports community and to offer our users a better experience. Whether it was seeking out an historically significant car for display or inviting a prominent speaker for an afternoon talk, Michael knew just the right thing to do for the Center. We will all miss him: the staff, the Council, our
supporters.”
Argetsinger’s dedication involved working tirelessly with race drivers, organizers, scholars and enthusiasts, as well as with community members and the international press, to help create a world-class facility. He also organized and implemented the popular speaking series Center Conversations, which brought a wide range of experts to the Center, drawing
national and international audiences of motorsport aficionados.
“Michael was a wonderful man, friend and passionate supporter of all things motor racing and particularly, Watkins Glen,” Bobby Rahal, chairman of the Center’s Governing Council, said. “He gave his time and energy selflessly in order to advance the IMRRC and its place in the world of motorsports.”
Argetsinger was the son of motor racing icons Jean and the late Cameron Argetsinger, who brought Grand Prix racing to America at Watkins Glen. His lifelong passion for the sport and its history was also evident in his talent as the author of five critically acclaimed books on motor racing.
His first book, “Walt Hansgen: His Life and the History of Post-War American Road Racing” (2006), received a Gold Medal for biography and was named Best of Books for 2006 at the International Automotive Media Awards (IAMA).
His biography “Mark Donohue: Technical Excellence at Speed” (2009) was also named Best of Books by the IAMA and won the overall competition as Best of 2009. He was also the author of “Mark Donohue: His Life in Photographs” (2010) and “Formula One at Watkins Glen: 20 Years of the United States Grand Prix, 1961-1980” (2011) which was a finalist for the
2011 Dean Batchelor Award presented by the Motor Press Guild. All four books were published by David Bull Publishing. In addition, Argetsinger co-authored “Watkins Glen International” (2013), Arcadia Publishing.
Argetsinger was not only a vivid chronicler of the sport. He raced for nearly 45 years, competing in more than 400 races at 54 different circuits in seven countries, including nine circuits that have hosted World Championship Formula One Grands Prix.
A memorial mass for Michael Argetsinger will be held at St. Mary’s of the Lake Catholic Church, 905 N. Decatur St., Watkins Glen, at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 20, with a reception following at the Racing Research Center, 610 S. Decatur St., Watkins Glen. The burial service will be private. The family has announced that remembrances may be made in Argetsinger’s name to the Racing Research Center.
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (June 11, 2014) – The legacies of John Bishop in motorsports are firm and far-reaching, and they include the International Motor Racing Research Center, of which he was one of the founders.
Bishop, who has been described as the most respected leader in the history of road racing in America, died June 5 in San Rafael, Calif., at the age of 87. On its opening in June 1999, the Racing Research Center was dedicated to Bishop in recognition of his important role in its formation. The Center was created to be a pre-eminent repository of all materials related to motorsports in all series and at all tracks, worldwide.
“John was a giant in the sport,” said J.C. Argetsinger, Center president and a lifelong friend of the Bishop family. “His achievements as a leader and innovator are unsurpassed, but he will also be warmly remembered in the hearts of drivers and entrants at all levels for his genuine interest in their welfare.
“I am deeply saddened by his death. I’m also humbled that John and Peggy’s son, Mitch, and their four lovely granddaughters chose the Racing Research Center as the beneficiary of memorials in John’s honor,” Argetsinger said.
Bishop’s wife, Peggy, died last year. Two sons, Marc and Marshal, predeceased their parents. Bishop served as chairman of the Center’s Council from its inception through 2004 and remained an active Council member and chairman emeritus until his death.
The Center’s collections include the corporate records of the International Motor Sports Association, IMSA, which the Bishops founded in May 1969 in partnership with Bill France and NASCAR. The Bishops’ personal collection in the Center’s archives boasts photographs from John’s many years at the Sports Car Club of America in a variety of positions, including as executive director at the end of his tenure.
The collection also holds original artwork by Bishop, a talented artist who began his professional career as an industrial designer.
While with SCCA, Bishop is credited with creating the U.S. Road Racing Championship series, followed by the Can-Am, Trans-Am and Formula 5000 race series. Under IMSA’s umbrella, Bishop introduced international endurance racing to North America in the GT series. The Bishops sold IMSA in 1989, but John’s involvement in racing continued, serving as a director of ACCUS FIA and as a commissioner of NASCAR and the first commissioner for the Grand-American Road Racing Association.
John Bishop will be posthumously inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in August. He was named to the SCCA Hall of Fame in 2011.