Thirty-seven race-car drivers and motorsports professionals have been voted into the Road Racing Drivers Club in 2013. The group includes 13 Regular Members from the open-wheel and sports-car racing ranks, 20 Associate Members and four Honorary Members. The current roster of RRDC members now numbers 440. Voting was held among all current RRDC members.
“This year’s crop of new Regular Members truly represents the spirit of the RRDC, as each driver has demonstrated his or her outstanding conduct on and off the track. And the Associate and Honorary new members are major contributors to the success of motorsports around the world,” said RRDC president Bobby Rahal. “We are honored that each of them has enthusiastically accepted membership in the RRDC. We look forward to working with them as the RRDC continues to pursue its goals of lending its expertise to up-and-coming drivers through a variety of programs.”
While Regular RRDC members are race-car drivers who have competed successfully at the championship level, Associate membership includes drivers who have participated successfully in major professional events or in lesser and/or historic events, as well as drivers who have significant ties to racing, such as in the corporate, sponsorship, mentoring, patronage and promotion arenas.
Honorary members are distinguished senior international motorsports champions, team owners and others who have demonstrated a life-long commitment in support of racing through active volunteerism, officiating and/or promotion of the sport generally.
For additional information and driver head shots, visit www.rrdc.org.
In alphabetical order, here are the new Regular Members:
ANDREW AQUILANTE: Began racing at age 9 in Quarter midgets in Pennsylvania, taking his first of many wins in ‘97. Was the ’04 SCCA T-1 NEDIV Divisional Champion, NEDIV Rookie of the Year and top 10 at the SCCA Runoffs. From ‘05 thru ‘07 repeated as NEDIV T-1 champion, won the Runoffs and the SCCA President’s Cup in ’07, as well as running select ST class races in Continental Tire Series. Was second in ‘09 ST class, co-driving with RRDC member and Mark Donohue Award winner Kristian Skavnes. From ‘10 through ‘12 was lead driver with the Subaru Road Racing Team in the GS class, winning at NJMP in ’11 and accumulating several top 10 finishes. Runoffs T-2 pole in ’11; T-2 pole and national championship in ’13.
COLIN BRAUN: First raced in Daytona 24 at age 16. Also raced in NASCAR Truck and Nationwide series for Jack Roush, and continues to race in ALMS. Youngest driver to win professional road race in U.S. (Fran Am 1600, Willow Springs, age 14), and youngest to win a Daytona Prototype race (Barber, Krohn Racing, age 17). Back-to-back DP wins (Barber and Daytona), pole at Barber (‘06 Krohn Racing). Ford/ Roush Fenway Racing development driver. Multiple NASCAR Nationwide Series and Truck series poles. Truck win at Michigan (Roush Conway). NASCAR Truck Series Rookie of the Year, ‘08. Multiple Grand-Am Daytona Prototype wins and poles. Youngest driver on podium at LeMans 24. Three ALMS wins, seven ALMS podiums, two ALMS poles, two World Challenge podiums in ‘12. Set Daytona oval speed record at 222.971 mph in a Riley-Ford Ecoboost, Oct. ’13.
CONOR DALY: Son of RRDC member Derek Daly. Is one of America’s top young racing stars and a Star Mazda Champion. Began competing in karts at age 10, and in ‘06 won the World Karting Grand Nationals. Began racing cars full-time in ‘08, winning the Skip Barber Formula Ford series. In ‘09, finished third in the Star Mazda Championship and was series champion in ‘10. In ‘11, competed in Indy Lights with Schmidt Motorsports, best result a win at the Long Beach GP. In ‘12, took his maiden GP3 win for Lotus at Barcelona. In ’13, placed 22nd in his first Indy 500. Also racing for ART Grand Prix in GP3 in ’13, scored a victory at Valencia and five other podium finishes to place third in the championship. His ’14 options are open with GP2 and the World Series by Renault his European options, or a full-time IndyCar ride in the U.S.
SIMONA De SILVESTRO: Began racing career in karts in Italy. In ’04 switched to cars, racing in French Formula A and Italian Formula Renault 2000 Championships. In ’06 competed in Formula BMW USA, earning one win, six podiums and 11 top-10 finishes to place fourth in the standings and became the first woman to reach a podium at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A Champ Car Atlantic rookie in ‘07, earned two top-10s and scored points in nine of the 12 races. In ’08 had first win at Long Beach for Newman-Wachs Racing. Went on to win four races with Team Stargate Worlds in ‘09, also achieving four poles and nine podiums, making her the first woman in Atlantic series history to have earned the most wins, poles and led the most laps in a season. Switched to IndyCar in ’10 with HVM Racing. Led at Sao Paulo, Brazil, was the Indy 500 Rookie of the Year and earned the Tony Renna Firestone Rising Star Award. Placed fourth at St. Petersburg in ‘11, as well as three top-10 finishes and fastest lap at Sao Paulo. With KV Racing Technology in ’13, Simona placed 13th in the IndyCar championship with a pair of top-fives including a second at Houston, and a total of nine top-10s.
COREY FERGUS: As son of RRDC member John Fergus and great nephew of Phil Hill Award winner Robert Fergus, is a third-generation RRDC member. Began racing in go-karts and won SCCA’s Great Lakes Division Regional Formula Junior Championship each year in ’01-’03. Moving to cars, won SCCA’s Division Novice of the Year in ’04, the Sports 2000 Regional Series Championship and the Mid-Ohio Cup Championship. From ’09-‘12, was the SCCA National Series Champion in his division, sat on the pole at the Runoffs in each year and set a new track record at the Runoffs each time. Won the Sports 2000 National Championship in ‘12 and began racing in Grand-Am’s Continental Tire Series, where he won his first pro race, sat on the pole twice, on the front row numerous times, and set two track records. Winless in the Continental Tire Series in ’13, added several poles and track records to his resume. Works as an instructor for the Mid-Ohio Driving School and, with fellow RRDC members David Donohue and Terry Borcheller, as one of eight American racers selected to showcase and demonstrate McLaren Automotive’s street cars in North America.
BOB GARRETSON: Stalwart Porsche driver/owner/entrant in the ‘70s and early ‘80s. Successes included winning the ‘78 Sebring 12 in a Dick Barbour Racing Porsche 935 alongside Brian Redman and Charles Mendez, and the ‘81 Daytona 24 in a Garretson Developments Porsche 935 K3 with Redman and Bobby Rahal. Also won the ‘81 World Endurance Championship title. Sold company sortly thereafter and retired from active professional racing.
JIM JEFFORDS: Started racing in ’54 and, by the end of ’60, was a respected champion on the ascendancy when a mysterious allergy hospitalized him for nine months and ended his driving career. Was racing a Jaguar XK140 at Road America in May ’56, where he approached Ed Cole, then GM of Chevrolet, about a ride on the Corvette factory team which earned him a sterling performance against Cole’s squad in his old XK140. In ‘58 and ’59, campaigned the Purple People Eater Vettes out of Nickey Chevrolet in Chicago, winning class in 29 of 42 races and a pair of B-Production National titles. Bought and raced Lance Reventlow’s #002 Scarab, then purchased one of Lucky Casner’s Le Mans Birdcage Maseratis, beating Jim Hall to win the first pro sports car race at Road America – his last win as a driver. In ’68, managed the AMC Trans-Am team. Now a Vice President at Road America where he has been a member of the Board of Directors since ’58. Was inducted into the Corvette Museum Hall of Fame in ’02.
CHARLIE KIMBALL: Raced karts from age 9. Moved to Formula Dodge in ’02, then won races in U.S. and British Formula Ford and F3 through ‘05. Won an F3 race in ’06 and logged three podiums. The following year was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and was forced to abandon his racing program mid-season. The next year, was back in the cockpit, running F3 and A1 GP. Raced Indy Lights in ’09 and the next season finished fourth in series with four seconds. Signed with Chip Ganassi for the IZOD IndyCar Series in ’11, the first licensed driver with diabetes in the series’ history. In ’13, scored an overall victory in the Daytona 24 for Ganassi/Sabates (with Juan Pablo Montoya, Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas). Won the ’13 Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio becoming the first driver with diabetes to win an IndyCar race. Main sponsor is Nova Nordisk and its NovoLog FlexPen used in monitoring the disease. Signed again with Ganassi for ’14.
STEVE KNAPP: A former driver in the Indy Racing League. Raced in the ’98-’00 seasons with 13 career starts, including three at the Indianapolis 500. Best career finish was in his first race, a third place at the ’98 Indianapolis 500, where he was named Rookie of the Year. U.S. Formula Ford 2000 Champion in ’96. Now owns and operates Elite Engines out of West Bend, Wis., specializing in FA, FC, S2, HART F2 and Mazda engines for the U.S. F2000 National Championship.
BUDDY LAZIER: Raced in CART for seven years with three top-10 finishes. In ‘96, won his first Champ Car race – the Indianapolis 500 – beginning a nine-year association with Hemelgarn Racing. After winning Indy, scored seven more victories, plus an additional eight podium finishes. Was IndyCar champion in ‘00 and runner-up for the title the following year. Has scored five top-10 finishes at Indy and returned this May for the first time since ‘09 in a car owned by his father, RRDC member Bob Lazier. Brother is Jaques, the Mark Donohue Award recipient in ’96.
PAUL MILLER: Joined SCCA in 1964 at age 19, running club races through the early ‘70s, plus shared Trans-Am and IMSA rides with brother Kenper. Raced a Porsche 934 in ’76 with Milt Minter; then ran 935s in late ‘70s and early ‘80s mostly with Bob Akin and Charles Mendez. Won ’77 Mosport 6-hour in a 935 with Ludwig Heimrath. Shared an IMSA 935 in ’79 and ’80 with Akin, Mendez, Brian Redman, Johnny Rutherford and Ralph Kent-Cooke, scoring a pair of podium finishes. Shared a GTO Porsche 924 GTR with Pat Bedard and Manfred Schurti at LeMans in ’81. Raced part-time in ’82 and full time ’83-’85 winning the Trans-Am Rookie of the Year in ’83 in a 924 GTR Turbo, with wins at Mosport and Lime Rock. Co-drove a 962 to fourth in the ’85 Daytona 24 with Akin and Hans Stuck and won the GTO class in ‘88 in a Mercury Mekur. Was second in GT1 at the ’86 SCCA Runoffs at Road Atlanta in a 924 Turbo. Currently owns and operates Paul Miller Racing headquartered in Buford, Ga. Son Bryce co-drives the team’s Porsche 911 GT3 RSR with Marco Holzer in ALMS. Owns eight dealerships in Northern N.J. and has been in business since ‘76.
STEVE SARGIS: Has raced in several production classes in SCCA for 20-plus years with remarkable success. Regardless of the class, at the SCCA Runoffs is considered the favorite in any class he enters. Is so dominating, he has earned the nickname “Superman,” and is widely respected by fellow competitors. Does essentially all preparation work on his cars himself. Has won the Runoffs six times in three different Production classes – F, G and H – and has posted 14 pole positions at the Runoffs, second only to Jerry Hansen.
R.J. VALENTINE: Started in SCCA in ’75 at age 32, and won a number of A-Production races in ’76. In ’78 commissioned the building of two IMSA GTX tube-frame Corvettes with Rick Hay. From ’79 to ’97, drove in 90 IMSA events, before joining Pickett Racing in ’98, competing in 127 Trans-Am races over the next decade, scoring top-10 finishes in 74 percent of them. From ’03, notched 20 podiums in Grand-Am GT, winning both Driver and Team Championships in ’06. 28-time Daytona 24 driver, including second in ’06 and GT class win in ’09. Has scored two podiums in Daytona Prototypes. Driving for both TRG and PTG, has 11 GT victories, scored numerous podiums and won the GT title in ‘09. Career has spanned more than 380 professional starts. Did all this while running the MBA Group where he started and ran 18 businesses in various industries.
Here, alphabetically, are the new Associate Members:
DAN ANDERSEN: Andersen Promotions assumed operational control of the Firestone IndyLights Series in the summer of ’13. Originally a sportsman drag racer, created and operated the USF2000 championship (’91–’01) before selling it and launching Andersen Racing from which son Mike won four poles and three FC (F2000) championships at the SCCA Runoffs, plus the ’03 Mark Donohue Award. Andersen Racing grew to field teams in F2000, Star Mazda and Indy Lights (in partnership with Rahal Letterman Racing) over the years ‘03 to ‘10, fielding at one time 11 cars on the same weekend in three series. His organization won driver and team titles in all three categories, subsidizing many young drivers. In ‘07, he opened Andersen RacePark – a test facility for karts and USF2000 cars. In ‘10, resurrected the USF2000 Championship as the first step on the Mazda Road to Indy ladder. Series now boasts 30-car fields. Among the notable racers that have advanced up the Andersen ladder are Buddy Rice, Sam Hornish Jr., Dan Wheldon, Andy Lally, Greg Ray, Alex Barron, Memo Gidley, Robby McGehee, Steve Knapp, JR Hildebrand, Graham Rahal, Conor Daly and Tristan Vautier. In ‘12, assumed control of step two on the Mazda Road to Indy ladder, renaming it Pro Mazda.
MICHAEL ARGETSINGER: Grew up in Watkins Glen, N.Y., as a member of the family that established auto racing there in 1948, working all areas of race organization from mowing grass and painting buildings to circuit management. After launching own racing career on dirt in ’65, ventured to Europe and worked in the industry, most prominently with Cooper, attending every Grand Prix. Served as liaison to the F1 race teams for the USGP at the Glen. First road race was in a Formula Ford at Silverstone in ’69. Driving career has spanned 45 years and 54 circuits worldwide including nine that host the F1 World Championship. Settled in Chicago in ’78 and founded Michael Argetsinger Communications in ‘81, a public and government relations consultancy focusing on health care and international trade. Has penned a pair of award-winning biographies about two of the RRDC’s most distinguished past presidents – Walt Hansgen and Mark Donohue. His newest books are “Formula One at Watkins Glen: 20 Years of the United States Grand Prix, 1961-1980” and “Watkins Glen International.” Is a member of the Governing Council of the IMRRC.
RAOUL “SONNY” BALCAEN III: Pioneer driver in top fuel drag racing. Developed first full-bodied dragster using a magnesium skin and GMC nitro-powered engine. Was Jim Hall’s first crew chief at Shelby Sports Cars in the ‘50s. Team member of Lance Reventlow’s Scarab, Sports Racing Cars and All American Formula 1 cars. Developed parts for Shelby American Cobra and GT 350 projects. Founded IECO for development of performance components for passenger cars. Consultant to Petersen Automotive Museum during its founding with Bob Petersen. Later in life picked up an old passion for motorcycles. Still needs a good charge of adrenaline.
JEFF BRAUN: As race engineer and technical director, is the co-author of Inside Race Technology with Paul Haney, and a respected race engineer with a long list of victories. Has led the engineering and technical efforts with both IMSA (Fermin Velez) and Grand Am (Krohn Racing) teams, including a recent one-two finish for Level 5 Motorsports in the Sebring 12. Earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1981 from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and immediately joined Transact as team manager fielding cars for Alan Kulwicki in ASA competition. Two years later, bought out the owners and in ‘90 turned Transact into a pure race engineering consultancy. The company has engineered almost every type of race car run in the world, winning six sports car championships – both Grand Am and ALMS – including five victories in the Sebring 12. Is currently engineering LMP2 cars for Level 5 Motorsports. Has mentored his son Colin, now a pro race driver, and run karts for his wife Diane and son Travis.
DAVID BRUNS: Is one of America’s most prolific and successful race-car designers. An early Formula Ford racer, partnered with Paul White to design and build the radical ADF Formula Ford in ’73, which won the SCCA Runoffs with Bob Earl. His ADF MkII won the ’75 and ’79 Runoffs. Bruns, White, Alex Cross and R.K. Smith formed Swift Cars in ’83. The DB-1 FF would revolutionize the industry, as Smith won the ’83 Runoffs in the car’s first outing. The DB-1 won 10 national championships from ’83 through ’96. Each of his subsequent designs would win its first time on the track – the DB-2 Sports 2000 in ’84; the SE-3 Ford 2000 in ’85; the DB-4 Atlantic in ’88; the DB-3 Ford 2000 in ’89; the DB-5 Sports 2000 in ’95; and the DB-6 Ford 1600/FCont in ’90. After Hiro Matsushita became the principal owner of Swift Engineering, designed a 140-mph/40pct scale model tunnel, and the Swift fabricators built it. The ‘97 Swift 007.i (for IndyCar), won its first race at Homestead with Michael Andretti. Recently worked as senior design engineer for advanced products at Dan Gurney’s All American Racers and continues to do consulting work and track engineering.
TOM COTTER: Races small British cars, such as a Morris Minor, in vintage events. Is a life-long “automobile nut,” entrepreneurial raconteur and promoter. The New Jersey native from the Humpy Wheeler school of promotion opened one of the most successful public relations agencies in motorsports with a client list including NASCAR, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Dodge, Pontiac, BMW and SPEED Channel. Since selling Cotter Communications, has become a regular contributor to Road & Track and has cornered the market on the “…In the Barn” genre of books – Cobra, Hemi, Vincent – with co-authors like Jay Leno, Peter Egan, Bruce Meyer, Don Prudhomme, Ken Gross and Keith Martin. Co-chaired the Amelia Island Concours for several years and was President of the Formula One Grand Prix of America at Port Imperial. Owner of dozens of “woodies,” his annual “Woody Party” in Davidson, N.C., draws a host of vintage cars from the ordinary to the exotic.
BRAD FRANCIS: In the ‘83 CART IndyCar series was Manager for Jacques Villeneuve. In ‘85 Concept Camaro GTO designer for drivers Jack Baldwin, Craig Carter, David Hobbs, Rick Hendrick, et al. In ‘87 Beretta GTU designer for drivers Tommy Kendall, Max Jones, winning ’87 IMSA GTU Championship. In ‘88 Corvette GTP Manager for Baldwin, Hobbs, Villeneuve and Scott Goodyear. On winning teams in ‘80 AAGT IMSA Manufacturers Championship with driver Moe Carter; ‘81 SCCA Trans-Am Championship with driver Eppie Weitzes; ‘93 and ’94 Winston Cup Championships with Dale Earnhardt; ‘03 Winston Cup Championship with Matt Kenseth; ‘04 Nextel Cup Championship with Kurt Busch; ‘11 and ’12 Nationwide Championships with Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. In ‘99 Inducted into Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame. Now director of special projects, including Grand-Am Mustang, for Jack Roush.
MIKE HULL: Began racing Formula Fords in Southern California in ’72. Instructor, then manager at Jim Russell Driving School. Became chief mechanic in IndyCar racing in ’81, working for Arciero Racing followed by Patrick Racing, then promoted to General Manager of Target Chip Ganassi Racing in ’92. As GM of Target Chip Ganassi Racing, his teams have won 135 races, four Indy 500 races, 10 Indy Car championships, five Daytona 24-hours and seven Rolex Daytona Prototype Team championships.
WILLIAM JEANES: A major figure in automotive journalism, began as a freelancer in ’70, joining the Car and Driver staff in ’72. Following a nine-year career in advertising, rejoined CandD as editor-in-chief in ’87, growing the magazine into the world’s largest automotive publication. A major consolidation in ’93 established him as senior VP and group publisher for Hachette Magazines, umbrella for Car and Driver, Road & Track and several of smaller publications. Later founded Classic Automobile Register and AMI Auto World Weekly. A past president of the American Racing Press Association, received the Mario Andretti Excellence in Media award in ‘96. For 15 years, was Chief Judge at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. A U.S. Navy veteran. On the whimsical side, was a founder of Bolus & Snopes, originating such truisms as “Anything worth doing is worth doing to excess.”
JIM LEO: PitFit Training founder and president. Is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), trainer to America’s racing stars, and a leading contributor to the RRDC SAFEisFAST Program. Having initially worked with the Penske team, has grown PitFit into the industry leader in the development and implementation of motorsports-specific conditioning, and has a clientele that represents a virtual Who’s Who in auto racing. A supporter of Team USA and a speaker at each of the SAFEisFAST workshops before the program moved online, his video on Driver Fitness is one of the most viewed on the website.
CHRIS LOCKE: 25-year historic racer, with Lotus 23B and single-seaters, including an ex-Andretti Lotus 77 Formula 1 car. Also entrusted by the Chapman family to drive its ex-Jim Clark Tasman-winning 32B and ex-Peterson ground-effects Lotus 79. Is a major supporter of Team USA scholarships. Has been awarded the Historic GP KONI Heritage Award, and Driver of the Day Award, and Best Performance at both the Monterey Historic and Wine Country Classic races.
TOM MALLOY: Was introduced to racing at a young age by his father, Emmett J. Malloy, who built and owned Carrell Speedway in Gardena, Calif., and watched legends such as Rex Mays, Troy Ruttman, Jimmy Reese and Bill Vukovich drive dad’s cars. Attended the Skip Barber Racing School in ‘92 and was hooked. Began racing and collecting vintage cars, and has a passion for preserving the history of American racing. In the past 10 years, has won historic races multiple times at Fontana, Coronado, Las Vegas, Toole, Teretonga (NZ), Pacific Raceways, Phoenix, Portland, Sebring, Watkins Glen and Willow Springs, driving a Lola T70, Brabham BT-18 and Porsche 962 C, among others. Has raced in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France and England at both the Goodwood Festival and Revival.
STEVE MATCHETT: Has been the technical voice of Formula 1 telecasts in the U.S. since late ‘00, with Speedvision, SPEED and now NBC Sports. His insights are the fruit of the close relationships he’s maintained over the years with F1 engineers and mechanics. Was hired in ’90 as a mechanic at Benetton F1 where he worked for the next eight years, rising through the ranks to become Johnny Herbert’s chief mechanic and winning the ’95 British and Italian Grands Prix with Herbert. Also served as Benetton’s rear jackman until a back injury in ’98 forced his retirement. Has penned a trilogy of semi-autobiographical books on being an F1 mechanic and team member. Was technical editor for F1 Racing for a dozen years and hosted several shows on SPEED including Formula 1 Decade and RPM – Racing Per Matchett.
BRUCE McCAW: Noted team owner, collector and supporter of motorsports. Joined SCCA in ’63 to compete in regional rallies. Winner 12-Hour rally NW – unequipped class. Began road racing in ’67 at Westwood, Canada. In ‘68, regional races in PNW in H-Production. Obtained ICSCC International and SCCA Regional license. In ’69-’73, SCCA and Conference races, and ARRC ‘70. SCCA National competition license. In ’73-‘77 was driving instructor for ICSCC and SCCA. In ’78-present: vintage and historic racing. Co-founder, SOVERN & IRDC. Raced a wide variety of significant historic cars at U.S., U.K. and New Zealand tracks. Co-Chair of Apex Foundation and Chairman Emeritus of Pistol Creek Company. Co-Founder and Director of McCaw Cellular Communications, Inc. Currently serves as Board Member of Behind the Badge Foundation, Seattle Opera, Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, and National Air and Space Museum. Has been a pilot for more than 40 years, holding commercial and instrument ratings. In ‘07 was awarded the Washington Policy Center Stanley O. McNaughton Champion of Freedom Award and the Woodrow Wilson Award and the Behind the Badge Law Enforcement Citizen of the Year Award in ’09. Former Director of Alaska Air Group and Championship Auto Racing Teams, and Founder and CEO of PacWest Racing and subsidiaries.
JIM MICHAELIAN: First pro race as a driver was the ’92 Firestone Firehawk at Sebring. Ran in Grand Am ’98-’13, including 15 Daytona 24s. Also has run the 24-Hour of Dubai and Nurburgring. Is President/CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. Was controller prior to the first Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, a Formula 5000 race in 1975, then Chief Operating Officer from ’98-’01. As President and CEO, is responsible for the management of all Grand Prix-related activities, including Race Circuit Management. A graduate of UCLA with a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and a Master’s degree in Business Administration, also serves on the board of directors of the Grand Prix Foundation, and the Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau.
CHARLIE MONK: Ran Can-Am in ’82, ’83 and ’84 in March 802, Lola T332 and Frisbee/Lola T333, then GTP/L in Fabcar and Tiga, often with John Higgins and Howard Cherry for Lamas Motor Racing, in ’87-’93, including Daytona 24 and Sebring 12 and class wins at Sebring and Miami. Now active in vintage racing with Indy Light, Formula Atlantic and GTP/L.
LISA NOBLE: Raced in the most competitive SCCA formula car class, FV, since ’92. Qualified for the SCCA Runoffs every year since, and was the first woman to win a National FV race, in ‘95. Has held track records at Sebring, Hallett and five records at Heartland Park, and was winner of SCCA’s Kimberly Cup. Was a multi-podium finisher in the Valvoline ProVee Series and Valvoline Cup Series, and three-time MiDiv FV Champion. Is owner of Noble Racing, the recognized leader in Formula Vee engines, chassis fabrication and race prep. Served on the SCCA Board of Directors since ‘08 and is now Chairman of the Board with oversight over SCCA Inc., SCCA Pro and SCCA Enterprises. Served on the SCCA Foundation Board of Directors which supports educational and safety programs for teen driving safety, archival efforts for the SCCA’s historical records and in support of developing future engineers through motorsports in conjunction with SAE’s Formula SAE programs.
CONNIE NYHOLM: Has been an active vintage racer for years and recently became majority owner and managing director of VIR. With Harvey Siegel bought VIR after it had been closed for 26 years, rehabbed it and re-opened it in 2000. VIR is a legend in American motorsports, one of America’s great natural-terrain road courses, and today is home to America’s Motorsport Resort and the Virginia Motorsport Technology Park, with race shops and R&D labs, lodging and dining on site, and other resort activities. Started vintage racing in 2003, and has owned and raced a number of vintage cars, including a Datsun 510, an Elva Courier, a Merlyn S formula Ford, an Elva VIII, and an Allard J2X. Has competed at such tracks as Watkins Glen, Road Atlanta and Road America, usually finishing in the top 10.
BILL RILEY: Joined his father, Bob, one of the most successful racing and sports car designers in the U.S., in forming Riley Technologies in ’01, and has been instrumental in the design and development of Riley Mk XXII, a race car that has won overall every Daytona 24 and every Grand Am Daytona Prototype Championship since ‘05 – nine consecutive years of dominance. The company also produces a sleek Track Day Car of the same name – the Mk XXII – designed by him. In addition, he produces cars for the Grand Am GT category and the Continental Tire GS series. Is a top development engineer and manages the day-to-day operations of the company.
ALAN WILSON: Regular contender in South African rallying, motorcycle racing and car racing (Formula Ford) in the ‘70s; married to Desiré Wilson; worked for Ford in South Africa ’70-‘74, including a spell as Competitions Coordinator; moved to England in ‘78, working as GM of Motor Circuit Developments (which ran Brands Hatch, Mallory Park, Oulton Park and Snetterton) until ‘83 when he moved to the U.S. Now a well-known circuit designer; credits include Barber Motorsports Park, Miller Motorsports Park, NOLA Motorsports Park and GingerMan Raceway; also redesign of Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant. Race series administration experience includes Brands Hatch Racing Club (Chairman, ’81-‘82), CART American Racing Series (Chief Steward ‘85), USRRC (Race Director ’98-‘00), SCCA World Challenge (Race Director, ’99-‘04); Awards include ‘82 FOCA Award (Best organized F1 Grand Prix), ‘98 George G. Snively Award for contributions to track safety; ‘08 FIM World Superbike Championship Event of the Year.
And, here are the new Honorary Members:
J.C. ARGETSINGER: Was born into a racing family. His father, Cameron, organized the Formula 1 Grand Prix of the United States at Watkins Glen, N.Y. Unlike his brothers, Michael and Peter, who pursued long careers in motor racing, he practiced law in Washington D.C. for 25 years. Returning to his hometown to practice law, he ultimately served for 14 years as Schuyler County Judge until retiring at the end of 2011. He was instrumental in the formation of the International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC) at Watkins Glen, dedicated to the preservation of the history of motorsports. Became President of the Center in ’07, a position he currently holds.
CHUCK DRESSING: Is a walking encyclopedia of sports car history. Is the American “voice” for Le Mans Radio and a longtime public relations man for Brumos Racing. Serves as a spotter and color commentator for TV motorsports productions. Writer for Amelia Island Concours and numerous motorsports journals including RACER and Vintage Motorsports, penned the delightfully detailed year-by-year histories of LeMans, the Monterey Historics, the Daytona 24 and the Sebring 12 for speedvision.com. Ghost wrote for Brock Yates’ Cannonball Express newsletter. His agile mind works faster than his fingers as whole histories flow into an ocean of bytes stirred by maelstroms of acerbic humor. Is a one-off.
ART EVANS: Has a varied and extensive background dating back to the ‘50s, including competing in SCCA in a Jaguar XK 120. With partner OCee Ritch had a public relations and advertising company that represented the MG Mitten Company, Devin Enterprises and Gough Industries among other car-related organizations. Has written numerous articles for photography and automotive magazines as well as professional journals. Has written 11 books about motor racing, including those on Frank Arciero, John Fitch, Bruce Meyer and Carroll Shelby. In retirement, continues to write about the fabulous ‘50s, and serves as secretary and newsletter editor of The Fabulous Fifties Association.
JOHN MECOM, JR: Owner of Mecom Racing, backing various cars, including Corvette, Ferrari and Lola. His drivers included Roger Penske, Pedro Rodriguez, A.J. Foyt and Jackie Stewart. Won the Indy 500 with driver Graham Hill. Won the USRRC with drivers Hap Sharp and George Follmer. Early sponsor of Danica Patrick.
[Source: RRDC]
