RRDC Members Rahal And Redman Named To IMRRC Governing Council

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 22, 2009: Road Racing Drivers Club (RRDC) members Bobby Rahal and Brian Redman have been elected to the Governing Council of the International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC) at Watkins Glen, announced Center president J.C. Argetsinger.

Founded in 1998, this one-of-a-kind facility is entirely supported by people committed to the preservation of racing’s heritage worldwide. The core of the collection is more than 3,000 rare and reference books, as well as hundreds of films, race posters and programs, magazines, rare documents, club records, and thousands of photographs.

The Center’s Governing Council is composed of racing aficionados, library professionals, and civic and community leaders. Syd Silverman is chairman, and RRDC member John Bishop is chairman emeritus. The Center is dedicated to Bishop, founder of the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), for his commitment to the creation of the facility. A Drivers Council also advises on Center operations. Its members include legendary Sir Jackie Stewart, Hurley Haywood, Rusty Wallace and Mario Andretti. (Stewart, Haywood and Andretti are also RRDC members.)

Both Redman and Rahal are former Drivers Council members. Other RRDC members in the Governing Council include Duncan Dayton, Larry Kessler and Archie Urciuoli.

Redman is the 1981 IMSA Camel GT champion, three-time USAC/SCCA Formula 5000 champion, and former RRDC president. Rahal is the 1986 Indy 500 winner, three-time CART champion, team owner and current RRDC president.

"We are pleased and honored to have Brian and Bobby, both of whom have contributed so much to motor sports, become members of the IMRRC Governing Council," said Argetsinger. "I am confident that their contributions will be invaluable to us as we enter our second decade of operation."

"It is exciting to be elected to the IMRRC Governing Council and a great pleasure to be able to assist this worthwhile organization which seeks to enhance and perpetuate the memories of all forms of road racing and of one of the greatest road-racing tracks in the world, Watkins Glen," said Redman.

"I have from the beginning been a supporter of the IMRRC and now to be asked to serve on the Governing Council is a real privilege and honor. I look forward to working with the other Council members in taking the Center to an even more prominent place in the motor sports community,” added Rahal.

Funding for the IMRRC comes through participation in the Center’s annual Sponsorship Team, endowment and gifts. The Center also organizes fund-raising activities throughout the year, such as auctions and a car raffle.

Located at 610 S. Decatur St. in the village of Watkins Glen, the Center is open year-round, Monday-Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information regarding upcoming events, recently received collections, gift items, etc., may be found on the Center's website, www.racingarchives.org .

The Road Racing Drivers Club was formed in 1952 as a way to give champion drivers a say in their sport, particularly in the areas of safety, and has evolved to serve the future of road racing by mentoring new drivers on both amateur and professional levels. The Club now has more than 150 active members, including leading industry professionals, race officials and motorsports journalists, in addition to prominent racing names.

President Bobby Rahal is the 1986 Indy 500 winner and is co-owner, with David Letterman, of the 2004 Indianapolis 500 winning Rahal Letterman Racing team. Six-time SCCA National Champion John Fergus is the Club's Vice President/Treasurer, and five-time Formula Super Vee champion Tom Davey is the Secretary.

In addition to RRDC members lending their expertise to up-and-coming drivers, the Club presents three annual awards: the Phil Hill Award for rendering outstanding service to road racing; the Mark Donohue Award for personal spirit and performance at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs; and the Bob Akin Award for speed with style, passion, sportsmanship and contribution to motorsports.

The RRDC also supports the Team USA Scholarship, which has been assisting young Americans in the early stages of their careers since 1990.