FW: michael keyser talk, milliken birthday party part of big day april 16 at imrrc

[Casey/Seneca Saw Works]

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: rese...@racingarchives.org [mailto:rese...@racingarchives.org]
Sent: Monday, March 21, 2011 10:13 AM
To: rese...@racingarchives.org
Subject: michael keyser talk, milliken birthday party part of big day april 16 at imrrc

 

 

Racing Research Center Celebrates the Start of the

Watkins Glen Racing Season with Milliken 100th Birthday Party,

Talk by Michael Keyser

and a Step Back in Time with Iconic Movie “Grand Prix”

 

 

WATKINS GLEN, NY – The International Motor Racing Research Center is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Formula One at Watkins Glen and the start of the Glen’s 2011 racing season on April 16 with a day of activities that is sure to be a winner.

The day will include a 100th birthday party for Bill Milliken, a keynote talk by Michael Keyser and a special showing at a local theater of MGM’s iconic motorsports movie, “Grand Prix.”

This special day coincides with the first of two days of opening weekend activities at Watkins Glen International, when the public is invited to drive the famed race track for a fee that will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Keyser will bring to the podium a motorsports resume that includes author, filmmaker, photographer and race car driver. Keyser has been one of the Center’s strongest supporters since it opened in 1999, and his inaugural talk is highly anticipated.

Keyser will discuss his experiences, including Formula One, and show some of the greatest photographs from his collection. The talk will be at 3 p.m.

The day actually kicks off at 9 a.m. with a continual showing of a documentary about the making of “Grand Prix” at the Center, getting race fans ready for a viewing of the film later.

At 1 p.m., the Center staff and all present will join in a very special birthday party, helping Bill Milliken, a founding father of racing at Watkins Glen, celebrate his 100th birthday.

Last year, the Center proudly hosted a 99th birthday party for Milliken. This year is even more special for many reasons, not the least of which is Milliken’s instrumental role with Formula One at Watkins Glen as chief steward for the United States Grand Prix  from 1961-70, after which he was technical advisor to the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Corp.

Keyser’s talk will follow the birthday party at 3 p.m.

Keyser had been working as a reporter and a freelance photographer when he attended an SCCA drivers school in 1969. Starting in 1970, he competed in IMSA and FIA events, finishing third in the 1972 IMSA Camel GT Challenge series in a 2.5 liter Porsche. When not racing he was shooting photos that comprised his 1973 book “The Speed Merchants,” followed by a documentary film by the same name.

He placed second in the Camel GT Challenge series in 1973, third in 1974 and eighth in 1975, driving a number of different Porsches. After more victories and driving for numerous teams, he retired from active racing in 1981, devoting himself to motorsports photography, books and film.

A special presentation of the movie “Grand Prix” will cap the day’s activities at 6 p.m. The movie will be shown at the Glen Theater on Franklin Street in downtown Watkins Glen, a beautifully restored historic theater.

“Grand Prix,” starring James Garner, Eva Marie Saint and Yves Montand, won three Oscars. Directed by John Frankenheimer, this 1966 MGM film is considered by many to be the best movie about racing ever made.

The $5 admission to see “Grand Prix” will be donated to the Center.

For more information about the Center’s plans or about the 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.

For more information about opening weekend activities at Watkins Glen International, visit the track’s website at www.theglen.com.