Michael Argetsinger has lost his battle with cancer, passing away July 7 at his home in Chicago at the age of 70. Michael grew up in motor sports, the son of United States Grand Prix organizer Cameron Argetsinger, and early on naturally became involved in various aspects of the event’s promotion.
He initially began racing himself in 1965, competing in Europe for a decade, during which time also served as Jochen Rindt’s personal mechanic with Cooper Cars in 1966. Upon returning home he continued racing with the SCCA and in vintage events. He founded a public relations firm in Chicago in 1981, and later became an award-winning author with acclaimed biographies of Walt Hansgen and Mark Donohue, as well as a pair of titles dealing with the history of Watkins Glen.
His passion for racing history meant he became involved in the founding of the International Motor Racing Research Center at Watkins Glen—dedicated to preserving that history and maintaining one of the sport’s great archival libraries—where he was a member of the governing council. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Lee Green, to whom, along with his family and many friends in and out of the sport, Vintage Racecar offers its sincerest sympathies.
