IMRRC CHARITY AUCTION CELEBRATES ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY The International Motor Racing Research Center’s annual auction celebrates its 10th anniversary this September and plans are well under way to make this year’s event the best ever. Begun in 2000, the auction has become a cornerstone event of the Grand Prix Festival/SVRA U.S. Vintage Grand Prix weekend held the second weekend of September each year. It is one three major fund raising events that the Center conducts each year to support its programs and services. This year’s event will be held Friday, September 10th and as in the past the program will feature both live and silent auctions, a sumptuous hot and cold buffet, and an open bar featuring a selection of beer and wine. The admission ticket price will remain at $25/person and, as was the case last year, each patron will receive a credit of the $25 admission price towards their first live or silent auction purchase. Doors will open at 6PM and the live auction will begin at 8 PM. The silent auction will close at 8:30 and as this event continues to grow in popularity guests are reminded to arrive early. In addition to the usual auto racing books, posters, artwork, etc. that have been available in the past, IMRRC has partnered with Third Coast Collectibles of Charlevoix, Michigan to broaden the variety of items offered. Third Coast has over 30 years experience in the sports and entertainment collectible business and has been involved with major fund raising events throughout the United States, including the annual charity auction at the Amelia Island (FL) Concours. They specialize in providing unique, one-of-a-kind collectibles and all autographed items come with a certificate of authenticity. The involvement of Third Coast Collectibles is sure to help make this year’s auction the best ever. Additionally, special items from the Andretti Autosport, Rahal-Letterman, and Patron/Highcroft race teams will be available in both the live and silent auctions. Make your plans now and help make our 10th anniversary auction the best ever by Biding early, often, and high. Michael Argetsinger to Speak Award-winning motorsports author Michael Argetsinger will present an in-depth look at the legendary Penske Racing Ferrari 512M, as raced by Mark Donohue, at the International Motor Racing Research Center on Saturday, Sept. 4. His talk ? accompanied by many rare photographs ? is presented as part of the monthly series, Center Conversations. It will begin at 1 p.m. and is free and open to all. The Center is located at 610 S. Decatur St., Watkins Glen. No less a figure than Ferrari Chief Engineer Mauro Forghieri called this car ?the finest prepared Ferrari I have ever seen, says Argetsinger. How the car also remembered as the Kirk White Ferrari ? was built, and its dramatic racing history, is one of motorsports greatest stories. Argetsinger is well-qualified to discuss Mark Donohue and his race cars. His 2009 book, Mark Donohue: Technical Excellence at Speed, swept the International Automotive Media Competition, winning Best Biography, Best Book and Best of Media for 2009. The book was the first complete biography of Donohue, who redefined what it meant to be a successful driver in the 1960s and 1970s. Many of the pictures were provided by the people who were closest to Donohue: his family, friends, and Penske Racing teammates. The book also offers some of the best work by the top motorsports photographers of the era. Published by David Bull Publishing, both books will be available for sale at Argetsinger's talk. IMRRC announces a Second Raffle Car….for Kids Through the generosity of Oscar Kovaleski and Autosports Associates, the International Motor Racing Research Center is happy to announce the addition of a second raffle car for the 2010 race season, and this one is for kids. The vehicle, a battery powered Kid Racer, is a replica of the Target-Chip Ganassi Racing Indy car driven to victory by Dario Franchitti at this year’s Indianapolis 500 and is signed by Franchitti. Tickets for this raffle are only $5 each or 11 for $50 and went on sale August 1st. Only 1000 tickets will be sold and the winning ticket will be drawn at the annual IMRRC Auction on September 10th at 7PM. Like its full-sized counterpart, the Cobra replica, tickets for the Kid Racer can be purchased at the Center, by phone at 607.535.9044, on line at www.racingarchives.org or at the IMRRC display during the NASCAR Nextel Cup weekend or the Grand Prix Festival events. The Kid Racer car, developed by former CanAm racer Oscar Koveleski , is designed for children 3 to 7 years old , is completely assembled including a rechargeable battery pack and has a top speed of 5 MPH. Other features include a 2 speed transmission with racing gear shift, adjustable racing side mirrors, a one piece injection molded plastic body and chassis with a maximum driver weight of 90 lbs. ART SHOW HONORING AJ FOYT ON DISPLAY Artwork by Neola Pennsylvania resident Douslass Wilkins will be on display in the Media Room of the Center from July 1st through August 14th. The show features original paintings and prints that honor significant events in the career of racing legend A.J. Foyt. Most of the works will be available for purchase and a portion of each sale will benefit the International Motor Racing Research Center. A reception will be held for Wilkins on Saturday July 3rd, from 5PM till 7PM in the Main Lobby of the Center and the public is invited. A.J. Foyt who will be in Watkins Glen for the Camping World Grand Prix, IndyCar race with his race team is expected to attend the reception, schedule permitting. The dedication of a Walk of Fame stone honoring Foyt will also be part of the event
Wilkins, a self taught artist, did his first painting of Foyt in early 1979. It depicted A.J. winning his fourth Indianapolis 500 in 1976. Even as a child Doug considered Foyt his hero and decided to present this work to Foyt as a gift. Later that year he was able to sneak into the pits at the at the Pocono International Speedway Indy car and was able to meet Foyt face-to-face. He presented Foyt the painting. The two talked for over an hour with A.J. offering him his race team hat as a small token of his appreciation. The hat is still part of a collection of Foyt memorabilia that Wilkins steadily accumulated since that day. Foyt subsequently commissioned Wilkins to do several more works for him which adorn his home, ranch and race shop. The artist considers his visit to the Foyt ranch in 1995 as a the most memorable moment of his career, and was emotionally moved when he viewed that first painting on display in the living room of the ranch. Wilkins’ work has also been featured in Indy Car Racing and Circle Track magazines, as well as Charlotte Motor Speedway race programs. Additionally the artist has done paintings for Rick Mears, Richard Petty, and A.J.’s long time sponsor and friend, the late, Jim Gilmore. While racing related art is Wilkins first love, he also does portraits and landscapes and works in acrylics, water colors, and charcoal. A “427”COBRA REPLICA IS IMRRC’S 2010 RAFFLE CAR - see details The International Motor Racing Research Center WHAT: The International Motor Racing Research Center at Watkins Glen will accept a Penske Racing NASCAR Nextel Cup car from Penske Corporation Executive Vice President Walter Czarnecki as a donation to its permanent collections. At the end of its racing life, the car was prepared by Penske Racing as a tribute car to retired driver Rusty Wallace for presentation to the Racing Research Center, where Rusty serves on the Drivers Advisory Council. It is identical to the short track car Rusty raced in 2005 prior to his retirement at the end of that season. In its racing history, the car was driven by Kurt Busch who most notably placed it on pole position for the Martinsville NASCAR Cup race on October 26, 2006. At the same donation ceremony, Bobby Rahal, president of the prestigious Road Racing Drivers Club, will present the archives of the club to the Center. The collection includes photographs, records, and member biographical information dating back to the club’s founding in the early 1950s. Rahal, who is the 1986 Indy 500 winner, is a member of the Racing Research Center’s Governing Council. To be part of the donation ceremony, Rahal will be taking a break from his responsibilities at the inaugural Legends of Motorsports, a Bobby Rahal Signature Event, at Watkins Glen International, June 11-13 and will arrive in style driving one his vintage race cars along with a police escort. WHEN: Thursday, June 10, 2010 WHERE: The Center is located at 610 S. Decatur St., Watkins Glen. It is one block east of Pizza Hut, at the corner of 15th Street and Decatur Street. This special event is open to the public and races fan, friends and supporters of the Research Center are cordially invited The History of IMRRC |
