50th Anniversary of Formula One at Watkins Glen Events and Programs
The International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen has announced that Mario Andretti will be serving as the honorary chairman for the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of Formula One at Watkins Glen, a year-long celebration with a lot of great activities and events planned for 2011. Below is a calendar of confirmed events as of January 18th. We urge our readers to support these events and support the IMRRC with a donation. For details, go to their website at www.racingarchives.org.
January
~ Sir Jack Brabham’s Cooper Climax T51 on display at the Center.
~ Full series of Watkins Glen Formula One event posters on display at the Center.
~ Michael Turner paintings used for Formula One program covers and posters on display at the Center.
~ Bob Gillespie paintings of the 1961 and 1969 Formula One races on display at the Center.
February~ Feb. 26, 1 p.m.: Center Conversations talk by Bill Green and Michael Argetsinger about the Formula Libre races leading up to the Oct. 8, 1961 debut of Formula One at Watkins Glen, with a focus on the first race through film and slides.
April~ April 16: Formula One cars on display all day at the Center.
~ April 16: Showing of the documentary, “Making of Grand Prix,” all day at the Center.
~ April 16, 1 p.m.: Honor the 100th birthday of Bill Milliken, chief steward for Formula One races for the series’ first 10 years at Watkins Glen.
~ April 16, 3 p.m.: Center Conversations talk by motorsports writer Pete Lyons speaks about Formula One in the 1970s, when he was working in Europe for Autosport.
~ April 16, 6 p.m.: Showing of “Grand Prix” at The Glen Theater, Franklin Street, Watkins Glen. $5 donation for the Center requested.
~ April 17: Formula One cars on display at Watkins Glen International for Opening Weekend.
May~ May 7: Center Conversations talk by racing great Bobby Rahal on his experiences in both Formula One and the Indy 500. The Indy 500 is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
July~ July 9, 1 p.m.: Center Conversations talk by race fan and history buff Kevin Hughey to honor the American Formula One drivers who raced at Watkins Glen.
September~ Sept. 9: Launch of Michael Argetsinger’s new book “Formula One at Watkins Glen: 20 Years of the United States Grand Prix 1961-1980” at the Grand Prix Festival.
~ Sept. 9, 3 p.m.: Legends Speak at the Grand Prix Festival presents a panel of speakers about Formula One at Watkins Glen