If you’re like us, you’ve been taking a hard look at the beautiful new 2020 C8 Corvette. The latest offering from Bowling Green, KY, turns heads wherever it goes with its mid-engine layout and exotic supercar good looks.
When we heard the International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC) in Watkins Glen, NY, was hosting a sweepstake to win a C8 and other incredible prizes, we knew we had to take a closer look.
Fortunately, Kip Zeiter, the Coordinator of Visitor Services and Outreach, graciously offered to share his insight into not only the C8 sweepstakes but the vital work the IMRRC is doing as well.
What follows is our conversation with Kip as we talk about the origins of the IMRRC, its historical preservation role in international racing, and its ongoing future. Oh, and yes, lest we forget, how to enter the sweepstakes to win the Vette. Enjoy!
The IMRRC Begins
ROD WORLEY – Editor – Before we get into the eighth-generation Corvette sweepstakes, could you tell us more about the International Motor Racing Research Center? Why was the 501(c)(3) non-profit IMRRC created initially?
When was the museum built and could you tell us more about the facilities?
KIP ZEITER – Coordinator of Visitor Services and Outreach – The creation of the IMRRC was prompted by the Village of Watkins Glen’s desire to find a permanent and lasting way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of racing in Watkins Glen.
The first race in Watkins Glen and, for that matter, the first post-World War II sports car road race in the entire United States took place thru the streets of Watkins Glen in October 1948. The Public Library had amassed a collection of motor racing books over the years.
The suggestion was made to take those books and use them as the “seedlings” to open a Racing Library connected to the Public Library. Such luminaries as Jean Argetsinger (wife of Cameron, the widely acknowledged man who brought racing to WG), John Bishop (former President of the SCCA and founder of the IMSA organization), John Saunders (then President of WGI), and many others were instrumental in the organization’s beginnings.
The money was raised, and the building was built in time for the 1998 50th Anniversary Celebration. The building was formally dedicated in 1999 by one Sir Jackie Stewart!
The facility is a 5000 square foot two-story structure which long ago became much more than simply a racing library. In addition to the almost 5000 volumes in the Center’s Library, there are almost 2000 programs from tracks around the world, racing-related films, VHS tapes, and DVD’s in the thousands, periodicals dating back to the 1940s, individual photo and slide collections, artwork, trophies, models, and much, much more!
Why Watkins Glen?
ROD WORLEY – Editor – The research center is located at 610 S Decatur St, Watkins Glen, NY. There are dozens of significant historical racing sites you could have chosen.
What prompted you to build the facilities in Watkins Glen?
KIP ZEITER – Coordinator of Visitor Services and Outreach – The answer was touched on in Question #1. It was built here to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the re-birth of road racing in the US, which took place here in 1948.
The fact that the Village was so completely invested in racing from the beginning and continuing to the present speaks volumes to the enthusiasm and spirit for the sport that lives in this small upstate New York village
Truly International
ROD WORLEY – Editor – The center has an extensive collection of artifacts and memorabilia. I’ve heard the Center’s collections document races held on roads, dirt and paved tracks, airport runways, off-road, and even on ice.
Could you share some of the highlights of the collection? And have there been significant private collections that have been donated?
KIP ZEITER – Coordinator of Visitor Services and Outreach – As the name “International” indicates, the Center’s collections are truly international in scope. From the acknowledged pinnacle of the sport – Formula One – to the weekly short track racer – and everything in between – our collections are extensive. A few (of what could be many) highlights are:
- Bound volume and microfilm editions of each issue of National Speed Sport News from 1933 – 2009. NSSN was THE racing newspaper of record in the United States during this time. Each issue is a gold mine of information with race results ranging from Le Mans to quarter-mile dirt tracks in the Midwest.
- Business records and history from the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Corporation as well as the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA)
- The magnificent and dangerous Nurburgring racecourse is chronicled with programs from nearly every event run there from 1927-1976 in the Werner Winter collection.
- A letter written by Stirling Moss on Glen Motor Court stationary to the organizers of the 1961 Mexican Grand Prix stipulating his “demands” for competing…including a payment of $7500.00 US or Sterling pounds equivalent
- The Sports Car Club of America archives. This material was delivered to us by two tractor-trailer trucks full of boxes and material. We have two technicians working on this for the better part of 3+ years, archiving driver’s records, Club newsletters, race results from various regions, and much more.
That is but a small sample of the material we have archived over the years.
Activities & Symposiums
ROD WORLEY – Editor – Besides collecting racing materials and artifacts, what other services does the Research Center provide? Does it host symposiums and events?
Is it open to the general public?
KIP ZEITER – Coordinator of Visitor Services and Outreach – Rod, with “Research” appearing in our name, folks always ask what do we research?
Research can take many different directions. With the many different and varied materials we have here, we handle requests for information from authors writing about a certain driver series, make, or car model.
We have an author from England who has visited us on multiple occasions as we have assisted him researching materials for at least three books he has published. We have assisted multiple other authors on book projects over the years.
In addition to authors, we have done considerable work assisting in movie and television projects. We had considerable input assisting in a Patrick Dempsey series about his quest to race at Le Mans that ultimately aired on the Velocity (now Motor Trend) Channel.
The SCCA Archives are a constant source for research work as individuals are always looking for the history of a particular car they might be considering purchasing…drivers looking for results of races run years earlier…SCCA rule books are used frequently by individuals building a car for vintage racing. The requests are numerous.
In addition to research work, in a “normal” year, the Center hosts 4-5 Center Conversations which are always free and open to the public. In part, this represents the Center’s “Outreach” to the public.
Conversations can range from a talk about a new racing publication by the author…an in-depth look at a race series such as our conversation on the Trans Am series several years ago…a daylong look back at the history of the famed New York State Fairgrounds mile dirt track, which we did one month after running its final race…or something just for fun like our recent Day for the MG fan which drew a huge crowd.
KIP ZEITER – Coordinator of Visitor Services and Outreach, Con’t – Center Conversations are an absolutely great way to spend a Saturday afternoon with fellow enthusiasts. In addition to our Center Conversations, for the past five years, we have annually presented the Michael R. Argetsinger Symposium on International Motor Racing History.
While the event was cancelled this year because of the pandemic, we hope to be able to host it in 2021. This event annually draws academics and scholars from around the world for several days of interesting dialogue and conversation. It, too, is open to the public and has been well attended in the past.
Another annual event that unfortunately also fell victim to the pandemic was our Cameron R. Argetsinger Award for Outstanding Contributions to Motorsports (no small titles here!!) Dinner. Past recipients of this Award include Mario Andretti, Richard Petty, Roger Penske, Bobby Rahal, and Chip Ganassi, among others.
The Dinner is held in conjunction with either IMSA or NASCAR weekends at WGI and draws a “Who’s Who” in racing and the industry. Again, look for details about the 2021 Award in the coming months.
To make one final point about Research. Our doors are always open for the casual fan who might only be interested in who won a particular race at a particular track on a particular date. We have several individuals who like to do research simply for research’s sake…they just want to know. We’re always happy to help in that regard.
C8 Sweepstakes Corvette
ROD WORLEY – Editor – Let’s shift the discussion to this year’s grand sweepstakes and the 2020 Corvette Stingray with the Z51 performance package. Can you tell us more about the Corvette, and then also share the details of how people can register to win it?
KIP ZEITER – Coordinator of Visitor Services and Outreach – Rod, for many years, part of the IMRRC’s annual fundraising has included the opportunity to win a fabulous car.
We are very excited to be offering the brand new 2020 C8 Corvette this year! It is the base ZL1 Corvette with the Z51 option package, which includes:
Z51 Package includes:
- Z51 performance Brembo® brakes
- Z51 performance suspension
- Performance exhaust
- Performance rear axle ratio
- Electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD)
- The Z51-specific front splitter and rear spoiler
- Michelin® Pilot® Sport 4S 245/35ZR19 front and 305/30ZR20 rear, high performance, run-flat, summer-only tires1
- Heavy-duty cooling system
In addition to the car, there are other items the winner will receive, including one hour track time at WGI with a professional driver…Two 2021 memberships to the Jack Daniels Club at WGI…the three day/2 night Ron Fellows Performance Driving School in Las Vegas (transportation not included)…and a complimentary stay at the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel when you come to pick up your car!
Tickets may be purchased online by going to the Center’s website at www.racingarchives.org and opening up the banner “Support The Center.” When online, add the Promo Code: KIP25 in the Promo Code box to receive an additional 25% more tickets
Avenues Of Support
ROD WORLEY – Editor – Besides the sweepstakes, are there other options for people to show their financial support? How would someone go about donating artifacts and memorabilia to the Research Center?
KIP ZEITER – Coordinator of Visitor Services and Outreach – The Center is a non-profit 501 ( c ) (3) membership-based organization. You can become a member for as low as $25.00 annually. Other levels of giving are $50.00 / $100.00 / $250.00 / $500.00 and $750.00 or whatever your enthusiasm level and financial means dictate.
Membership represents our biggest financial goal of the year, followed by the Sweepstakes and the CRA Award Dinner. There are other more “long term” ways to support the Center, and these may be found on our website: www.racingarchives.org.
For those interested in possibly donating personal memorabilia, collections, books, or other items, we are always interested in hearing from you. Initially, please email: [email protected] giving us an idea of what it is you are looking to donate.
This allows us the opportunity to avoid any possible duplication.
More Details
ROD WORLEY – Editor – If people wanted more information about the International Motor Racing Research Center where should they go?
KIP ZEITER – Coordinator of Visitor Services and Outreach – Rod, the IMRRC’s address is: 610 S. Decatur St. Watkins Glen, NY 14891. The telephone number is (607) 535-9044. Website: www.racingarchives.org
Hours of operation have varied during the pandemic. Regular hours are Monday-Friday 9-5 and Saturdays 10-4 in the summer. Please check with us!
A Win-Win
The International Motor Racing Research Center is working hard to ensure the rich racing legacy of the past is preserved for future generations. To that end, their curated collection spans continents, eras and race series.
The Center’s collection embodies the speed, drama and camaraderie of amateur and professional motor racing throughout the world like few others.
To be able to support the tireless efforts of the IMRRC plus have a chance at taking home a stunning eighth-generation Corvette coupe in the process is just too hard to pass up.
DISCLAIMER – Vettes of Atlanta magazine disclaim any and all liability and responsibility to any person or party, be they a purchaser, reader, advertiser or consumer of this publication or not in regards to the consequences and outcomes of anything done or omitted being in reliance whether partly or solely on the contents of this publication and related website and products. We are not responsible in any way for the actions or results taken any person, organization or any party on basis of reading information, or contributions in this publication, website or related product.
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