Cameron Reynolds Argetsinger, founder and organizer of the first races in Watkins Glen and president of the International Motor Racing Research Center from September 2002 until 2007, died April 22 at his home in Burdett, NY. He was 87.
In addition to his international involvement in motor sports, Argetsinger was an attorney, graduating from Cornell Law School and practicing law in Schuyler County, NY, for 48 years.
Argetsinger’s contributions to motor sports in America are virtually unparalleled.
Inspired by his love of fast automobiles and the area’s natural beauty, in 1948 he conceived, organized and drove in the races through the streets, in what would become the world-famous Watkins Glen Grand Prix.
In that first race, he drove his MG-TC to a 9th place finish. He remained active as a driver through 1960.
Argetsinger brought full international races to Watkins Glen in 1958 and in 1961 inaugurated the U.S. Grand Prix for Formula 1, which had a successful 20-year run on the Watkins Glen circuit.
From the start, Argetsinger was a strong voice for international and professional road racing during a period in the 1950s and early 1960s when the political tides were directed elsewhere. He received the Grand Prix Drivers Association award for the best-organized Grand Prix in the world, in an era when promoters negotiated with each team and handled all details of transportation and logistical movement of cars, equipment and personnel. He had the complete trust and confidence of all the European teams and drivers, settling all deals on a handshake.
Ultimately, he restructured the entire payment system to accommodate the needs of promoting a major event in America and advanced many professional innovations essential to establishing the success that Grand Prix racing enjoyed in America during that period.
After leaving Watkins Glen in 1970, he was executive vice president of Chaparral Cars and was subsequently director of professional racing and executive director of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) from 1971–1977. He also served as commissioner of the International Motor Sport Association, IMSA, from 1986–1992.
“Nothing that Cameron did was ordinary,” said Bill Milliken of Williamsville, NY, a close friend, who served as head of competition for SCCA at the early Watkins Glen races and in the Formula 1 years, would serve as steward of the meeting.
“Cameron’s interests were totally different than the average person. It’s amazing. He had the capability of dreaming pretty big dreams, and then he had the fortitude and strength of character to realize them,” Milliken said.
Argetsinger was appointed president of the International Motor Racing Research Center in 2002. At that time, John Bishop, IMSA founder and first chairman of the Center’s council, cited the experience Argetsinger was bringing to the post of president.
“No one that I know in racing could possibly bring the same expertise and sense of organization and ethics as Cam Argetsinger,” Bishop said. “Cam has done everything there is to do in racing, from being the pioneer road racing organizer, to top official, to president of a sanctioning body to commissioner of a sanctioning body. Nobody brings the breadth of experience that Cam has.”
Argetsinger was a member of the inaugural induction class of the Hall of Fame of the Sports Car Club of America in January 2005. He also is in the Schuyler County (NY) Hall of Fame.
Argetsinger was a visionary who made things happen. Despite his many professional successes, honors and recognitions, he always considered his family his greatest accomplishment. He remained close to his children, was proud of the achievements of his grandchildren, and took great delight in his great-grandchildren.
He leaves his beloved wife of 67 years, Jean, their nine children, 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
