 |
|
 |
| The IMRRC - Silently Preserving Racings Past |
|
|
|
A world of history resides here
|
© Andrew S. Hartwell
The Glen is alive with the sounds of racing's present today, but in town, there is a silent - yet vibrant - repository for the sounds of racing's past. While the Daytona Prototypes and GT cars in the current Grand-AM configuration are piloted by drivers determined to set new records and speed to new glory, they are just the newest links in a chain that dates back to 1948 for this area. And those first links to sportscar racing, along with all the subsequent links' that came before today, are preserved by a determined staff of archivists who work in the International Motor Racing Research Center, located on South Decatur street, right off Franklin, the main road that cuts through the heart of this historic town.
Most folks already know the story of how a young attorney by the name of Cameron Argetsinger was able to bring together the sort of influential and powerful people that it would take to hold the earliest iteration of organized and professional street races. It was in October of 1948 that a road circuit, originally drawn out on a napkin, and presented to prominent town members as a venue to lengthen the tourist season beyond Labor Day, became a reality. It marked the start of what has become 59 years of road racing events across North America.
Mark Steigerwald heads up a team of committed archivists who oversee the preservation and presentation of numerous artifacts from racing's past. The Research Center is home to every sort of ephemera and collectible from race programs to model cars to posters, artwork, books, films, and just about anything that relates to the history of racing.
The staff of the center assists motor sports journalists and others with reference services including copies of materials on file, viewing of archived film footage and more. They take pride in not only preserving the history of racing - materials from all forms of Motorsports are archived in the center - but in helping others tell the story of racing's past.
A visit to the center is a must for anyone who comes to this bucolic little town situated at the southern end of Seneca Lake - one of the Finger Lakes - a series of long and narrow bodies of water that mark this region of upstate New York. The center is located adjacent to the town library and it is open to visitors from 9:00 to 5:00 daily.
Everyone with even a passing interest in Motorsports will find something of interest in the center. This morning we stopped in and took several photos of the current displays. Occupying a place of honor right in the middle of the center is a 1953 Ferrari 375MM on loan from Bruce and Jolene McCaw. This particular car finished first in the 1953 1000KM of Nurburgring and ran in several other significant races in its era. The hands that have turned its wheel in competition belong to some of racing's most famous souls. Luigi Chinetti, Graham Hill, Richie Ginther, Ken Miles and Alberto Ascari all had stirring drives in this beautiful car. And today, this unique race car sits quietly in the center of this unique facility, waiting patiently for fans of every age to come and learn about its checkered past.
And fans are welcome to peruse the numerous books that are so carefully arranged on the shelves, or view the number of display cases filled with historically significant items. And films are shown in the small theater room. And posters and artwork adorn the walls. And Steigerwald and his staff are always willing to answer visitor's questions about Motorsports.
The International Motor Racing Research Center is a treasure trove of memories just waiting for minds young and old to open up to all it has to share. When you are in this neck of the woods, do make time to visit the center. Your time within its walls will be time well spent, for it is here that Motorsports is being preserved - and cherished - for all time.
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
 |
|
