FW: bobby rahal at imrrc may 7

[Casey/Seneca Saw Works]

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Subject: bobby rahal at imrrc may 7

 

Racing Research Center Celebrates 50 Years of Formula One

and 100 Years of Indy 500 with Talk by Bobby Rahal

 

WATKINS GLEN, NY – Bobby Rahal, whose diverse racing experiences include competing in the U.S. Grand Prix at Watkins Glen and winning the Indianapolis 500, is the headliner in May for the International Motor Racing Research Center’s yearlong celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first Formula One race at Watkins Glen.

The May 7 talk is a salute to both Formula One and the 100th anniversary of the 500. The talk will be at 1 p.m. It is free and open to all.

“Bobby Rahal is an American legend. His record of success as a driver and team owner ranks with the best,” said Center President J.C. Argetsinger. “As a Formula One veteran and as a past Indianapolis winner, he is the ideal man to help us celebrate the dual anniversaries.”

Rahal is an active member of the Center’s Governing Council.

Just days after speaking at the Center, Rahal will be heading to Indianapolis, where his Rahal Letterman Lanigan (RLL) team will be fielding a two-car effort. Bertrand Baguette, making his second start in the Indy 500, will be joining Jay Howard on the race roster. The two-car entry marks the first time since 2008 that RLL will have two cars at Indianapolis.

Rahal will be returning to the historic venue where he won the Indy 500 as a driver in 1986 and as a team owner in 2004, with Buddy Rice at the helm.

He competed five times at Watkins Glen, including his debut in Formula One at the 1978 U.S. Grand Prix for Walter Wolf Racing in a Wolf WR5.

As a driver, Rahal won three championships and 24 races in the CART open-wheel series. He was champion in 1986, 1987 and 1992. His career in CART started with selection in 1982 as Rookie of the Year.

His racing resume also includes Formula Atlantic, Formula Three, Formula Two, Can-Am, IMSA and other sports car events. He drove in one NASCAR race, at Riverside in 1984, and today participates in vintage events.

After retiring as a driver, Rahal held managerial positions with the Jaguar Formula 1 team and also was an interim president of the CART series in 2000.

Rahal was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2004.

The first U.S. Grand Prix at Watkins Glen was on Oct. 8, 1961. Innes Ireland won that race, the first-ever World Championship Grand Prix for Team Lotus. Twelve additional different drivers would earn the checkered flag over the ensuing 19 years.

For more information about the Center’s yearlong celebration of the 50th anniversary of Formula One at Watkins Glen, visit the Center’s website at www.racingarchives.org or call (607) 535-9044.

 

 

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