The Logbook

The 24 Hours of Daytona is one of the most prestigious sports car endurance races on the international racing calendar today. But it wasn't always run as a "once around the clock" event. Find out why in this story from contributor Martin Raffauf, who has attended a fair number of these events himself in the last 50 years.

The International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), in partnership with the Society of Automotive Historians and the Popular Culture Association’s Vehicle Culture Area, will present "The Cultural Turn Meets the First Turn: Writing Motorsports History" at the fifth annual Michael R. Argetsinger Symposium on International Motor Racing History.

In this excerpt from the recently released book on the development of the Hans device, Jonathan Ingram tells the story of Jim Downing's awakening to the dangers of frontal impact in race cars. It was from this awakening that Jim and co-inventor Dr. Robert Hubbard came up with the idea for the life-saving Hans device that is now used by more than 275,000 drivers globally.

"Back and Forward" Appearing in SportsCar September 2019 by Jeff Jacobs

The International Motor Racing Research Center celebrated Vintage Weekend with a program and displays related to the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Festival and the Hilliard U.S. Vintage Grand Prix, which was held Sept. 5 through 8.

"Runoffs Past" Appearing in SportsCar October 2019 by Jeff Jacobs

The Porsche 917 holds a special place in the hearts of many race fans. Its flat-twelve cylinder engine sounded like nothing else on the planet and its sleek design set a benchmark for all that followed. This is the story of the very first 917 - chassis number 001.

"Formula 1 and SCCA" Appearing in SportsCar August 2019 by Jeff Jacobs

IMSA was just a year old when it held one of its first sedan races at Alabama International Motor Speedway (now Talladega) in November 1970. To show their support, NASCAR founder and IMSA investor Bill France, Sr. and his son, Bill France, Jr., drove matching Ford Cortinas in the race. Here are some rare photos from the IMSA collection at the IMRRC that document the day.

"The Big Picture" Appearing in SportsCar July 2019 by Jeff Jacobs