Watkins Glen Founder dies

[cosworth151]

Cameron Reynolds Argetsinger, a car enthusiast who organized the first road racing in Watkins Glen, New York, in 1948 and spearheaded construction of the Watkins Glen racetrack, died on Tuesday, April 22. He was 87.

In addition to organizing the first race on roads around Watkins Glen, Argetsinger drove in it as well, steering his MG TC to a ninth-place finish. He continued race driving until 1960.

But driver and spectator safety forced racing off the public roads around Watkins Glen by 1955. As head of Watkins Glen Grand Prix Corp., Argetsinger led the group to buy 550 acres of land outside town as the site for a 2.3-mile road-race track. The first races there were held in 1957.

Watkins Glen took its place in racing history in 1961, when Argetsinger brought Formula One to the track for the U.S. Grand Prix. The event would run at the track annually through 1980.

His other racing accomplishments included receiving the Grand Prix Drivers Association award for the best-organized Grand Prix.

Argetsinger left Watkins Glen in 1970 and became vice president of Chaparral Cars and director of professional racing. He also was executive director of the Sports Car Club of America until 1977.

He served as commissioner of the International Motor Sport Association from 1986 to 1992.

Argetsinger was born on March 1, 1921, in Youngstown, Ohio. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jean; nine children; 15 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

The pix is Cameron Argetsinger racing his MG-TC in an early race at The Glen.

[Alianora La Canta]

Looks like Argetsinger had a very full and fulfilling life. Thanks for bringing this to my attention, Cos.