WATKINS GLEN--Global fashion icon and longtime motorsports enthusiast, Tommy Hilfiger will be honored with the prestigious Cameron R. Argetsinger Award for his outstanding contributions to motorsports on Thursday, Oct. 15, at The International Motor Racing Research Center’s Annual Award Gala. This event will be held at the Corning Museum of Glass.
Presented by the International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), the Cameron R. Argetsinger Award recognizes individuals whose influence, dedication, and leadership have made a lasting impact on the world of motorsports.
Established in 2014, the CRA Award honors the legacy of Cameron R. Argetsinger, the visionary of the first post-World War II road race in the United States, held on the streets of Watkins Glen on Oct. 2, 1948 - an event establishing the village as one of the world’s most iconic motorsports destinations. Past recipients include Brian Redman (2025), Bobby Rahal (2019), and Chip Ganassi (2014), among other distinguished leaders in the sport.
“In recognition of his significant contribution to motorsports and his lifelong connection to the sport, the IMRRC is delighted to welcome Tommy Hilfiger to the distinguished group of recipients of the Cameron R. Argetsinger Award,” said Margaret Lawrence, executive director of the IMRRC.
“Watkins Glen, once home to the U.S. Grand Prix, was where I first experienced the excitement and energy of motorsports,” said Tommy Hilfiger. “Those races left a lasting impression on me and sparked a passion that has stayed with me throughout my life. It’s incredibly meaningful to be recognized by the IMRRC and to be connected to the legacy of Cameron Argetsinger and the historic racing community that helped shape the sport in America.”
Born and raised in nearby Elmira, Hilfiger opened his first store, People’s Place, in his hometown in 1969 before moving to New York City and launching his namesake brand in 1985. Over the past forty years, Tommy Hilfiger has built a unique legacy at the intersection of sport and style, partnering with athletes and teams across motorsports, competitive sailing, golf, snow sports, and soccer.
A lifelong Formula 1 fan, Hilfiger’s passion began as a teenager watching through the fences at Watkins Glen International. That early fascination evolved into a decades-long connection to the sport. Since the 1990s, the TOMMY HILFIGER brand has partnered with iconic Formula 1 teams including Team Lotus, Scuderia Ferrari F1, and Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, and collaborated with seven-time World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton on five collections pushing the boundaries of sport and style. Today, the brand continues to expand its presence in motorsports through a multi-year partnership with the Cadillac Formula 1 Team as the team’s official apparel partner.
The 2026 IMRRC Award Gala is open to the public, with a limited number of tickets available. Individual tickets and tables of 10 may be purchased. Guests are encouraged to secure tickets early as this event is expected to sell out. Tickets may be purchased online on the IMRRC store or by calling The Center at 607-535-9044.
Complete details about the Gala can be found at www.racingarchives.org.
The International Motor Racing Research Center is a nonprofit 501 © (3) organization dedicated to preserving, collecting, and sharing history of global motorsports through our extensive collection of artifacts, films, memorabilia, and archival materials.
Presented by the International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), the Cameron R. Argetsinger Award recognizes individuals whose influence, dedication, and leadership have made a lasting impact on the world of motorsports.
Established in 2014, the CRA Award honors the legacy of Cameron R. Argetsinger, the visionary of the first post-World War II road race in the United States, held on the streets of Watkins Glen on Oct. 2, 1948 - an event establishing the village as one of the world’s most iconic motorsports destinations. Past recipients include Brian Redman (2025), Bobby Rahal (2019), and Chip Ganassi (2014), among other distinguished leaders in the sport.
“In recognition of his significant contribution to motorsports and his lifelong connection to the sport, the IMRRC is delighted to welcome Tommy Hilfiger to the distinguished group of recipients of the Cameron R. Argetsinger Award,” said Margaret Lawrence, executive director of the IMRRC.
“Watkins Glen, once home to the U.S. Grand Prix, was where I first experienced the excitement and energy of motorsports,” said Tommy Hilfiger. “Those races left a lasting impression on me and sparked a passion that has stayed with me throughout my life. It’s incredibly meaningful to be recognized by the IMRRC and to be connected to the legacy of Cameron Argetsinger and the historic racing community that helped shape the sport in America.”
Born and raised in nearby Elmira, Hilfiger opened his first store, People’s Place, in his hometown in 1969 before moving to New York City and launching his namesake brand in 1985. Over the past forty years, Tommy Hilfiger has built a unique legacy at the intersection of sport and style, partnering with athletes and teams across motorsports, competitive sailing, golf, snow sports, and soccer.
A lifelong Formula 1 fan, Hilfiger’s passion began as a teenager watching through the fences at Watkins Glen International. That early fascination evolved into a decades-long connection to the sport. Since the 1990s, the TOMMY HILFIGER brand has partnered with iconic Formula 1 teams including Team Lotus, Scuderia Ferrari F1, and Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, and collaborated with seven-time World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton on five collections pushing the boundaries of sport and style. Today, the brand continues to expand its presence in motorsports through a multi-year partnership with the Cadillac Formula 1 Team as the team’s official apparel partner.
The 2026 IMRRC Award Gala is open to the public, with a limited number of tickets available. Individual tickets and tables of 10 may be purchased. Guests are encouraged to secure tickets early as this event is expected to sell out. Tickets may be purchased online on the IMRRC store or by calling The Center at 607-535-9044.
Complete details about the Gala can be found at www.racingarchives.org.
The International Motor Racing Research Center is a nonprofit 501 © (3) organization dedicated to preserving, collecting, and sharing history of global motorsports through our extensive collection of artifacts, films, memorabilia, and archival materials.
