WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (Sept. 24, 2018) – The International Motor Racing Research Center is celebrating its 20th Anniversary along with the 70th Anniversary of Racing in Watkins Glen.
“RacetoberFest” will take place at the IMRRC Visitor’s Center at 610 S. Decatur St., Watkins Glen. Admission is free. Hours will be 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The highlight of the event is the drawing for a 2003 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S, the grand prize of the Center’s annual fundraising raffle. Other festivities will include a “meet and greet” reception with special guests and dignitaries, a “70 Years of Racing Memories” tribute slide show and live music from renowned jazz guitarist Dennis Winge.
The IMRRC has also minted special two-sided dash plaques to commemorate the anniversaries. The plaques will be available for purchase.
“We are very excited to begin our third decade.” said Michael Printup, IMRRC Governing Council Member and WGI President. “The Research Center has made incredible strides during the last two decades as it has grown from an alcove in the local library to a world-renowned archive and respected research facility.” Printup continued, “It’s a pleasure to open the doors to local folks, members, fans and racing heros alike to celebrate these successes.”
Food and beverages will be served throughout the evening with offerings from local wineries and breweries and catering by Americrown and Watkins Glen International. Another high point of the event will be the unveiling of a cake created by Ithaca Bakery artisans Paige Bibble and Heather Charron. The cake is a scale replica of the Frank Griswold 2.9 Liter B Alfa Romeo that won the 1948 Watkins Glen Grand Prix. Each guest will be able to taste a slice of racing history! On display at the IMRRC during the event will be two cars that showcase the early years of racing in the streets of Watkins Glen. “Poison Lil”, one of 4 Maserati V8RIs made, led the first competitive lap at Watkins Glen during the 1948 Junior Prix. The second car, a 1952 OSCA MT4, took the final checkered flag at the Seneca Cup in September of 1952.
Other special exhibits and the raffle car will also be on display during the celebration. In addition to the Porsche 911 grand prize – the raffle includes additional prizes. Second place is a set of 4 tickets to any 2019 SVRA event in the United States and a $500 Visa gift card. Third place is a 50” Samsung Flatscreen TV.
The raffle is one of the primary annual IMRRC fundraisers. Tickets are still available for the raffle by calling the IMRRC at 607-535-9044 or by visiting the Center’s website at racingarchives.org
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