Steve Zautke makes his presentation about the Milwaukee Mile. [Joe Jennings Photo]
Watkins Glen, N. Y. – The International Motor Racing Research Center at Watkins Glen hosts a monthly “Center Conversations” series wherein racing notables are invited to discuss their activities. For the October program, Steve Zautke, the Milwaukee Mile historian and author, traveled to the Finger Lakes center to present the history of Wisconsin’s famed mile track.
At the IMRRC, there’s always a noted car on display and at this time, it is a 1950 Ferrari 166 MM Touring Barchetta once driven by Phil Hill, John Fitch and Bill Spear. [Joe Jennings Photo]
J. C. Argetsinger, president of the IMRRC and judicial official and noted author, introduced Zautke.
During his hour-long presentation, Zautke walked the audience through the history of the oldest continuously operating race track in the United States from its first race in 1903 to the present. At each stage, historic photos were shown and fitting descriptions were presented. In the photos, the attendees could see the large crowds on hand for the races.
While race fans know the track as the Milwaukee Mile, the track is on the property of the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, which is in West Allis just outside Milwaukee. Until 1954, the track had a dirt surface until bowing to pressures for paving it.
Noted racers, including Barney Oldfield, Rex Mays, A. J. Foyt, Al Unser and Mario Andretti, have won at the Milwaukee Mile and these drivers and many others were shown in the photos and along with discussion of their fetes.
Mays was one of the more popular drivers to race at the track and starting in 1950, the major open-wheel event of the year was named after him.
Indianapolis 500 winner Rodger Ward holds the record for victories at the track with seven and Jimmy Clark scored the first win ever for a rear-engine car at Milwaukee in 1963. Another memorable run was accomplished by Foyt in 1965 when he finished second in his dirt car against a field of more modern machinery.
According to Zautke, his most memorable race took place in 1981 when Mike Mosley raced from last to first in the Chevy-powered Pepsi Challenger AAR fielded by Dan Gurney.
The International Motor Racing Research Center from outside. [Joe Jennings Photo]
While racing has been the focus of the action at the Fairgrounds, other major events have been held there, to include a National Football League championship football game between the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants in 1939. It was the seventh-ever NFL championship game and was attended by 32,000 fans.
At the conclusion of the formal presentation, Zautke spent an hour responding to questions from the enthusiastic audience. Many questions were asked about Wisconsin’s Road America, which has a rich history complementing that of nearby Watkins Glen International.
Also on hand Saturday was Andy Hurtubise, son of famed driver Jim Hurtubise, and off-line the younger Hurtubise had many interesting family stories to tell. He said he is often asked about Prince, the German shepherd that accompanied Jim and Pete Hurtubise to the races. Of note, Pete Hurtubise still resides in the Buffalo area.
The next “Center Conversation” will take place on November 8 and will feature USRRC Series author Mike Martin.