Michael Argetsinger
I'm deeply saddened to report that we've lost longtime racer, writer and outstanding gentleman Michael Argetsinger. Earlier this year, Mike was scheduled to join us next weekend at the HAWK vintage races in Elkhart Lake to drive my Eagle FF downtown for the concours, but sadly, we will be without our friend.
I first met Mike in 2005 at the KIC at Road America. I knew he was writing a book about Walt Hansgen, and I had just received a photo of Walt in the mail with some other photos I found on eBay. I showed it to Mike, who was there racing Mayer Racing's Cheetah, and he immediately called his publisher, David Bull, to tell him he had found the perfect photo for the introduction page. Mike's book on Hansgen would go on to be a roaring success. It was the first of five (thus far) published books penned by him.
Mike served as a a teammate to me twice, driving our #57 Miata at the Kettle Moraine regional events in 2006 and 2007. Despite the fact our cars were underpowered, he never said anything other than the fact that our cars were among the best he had ever driven. He had a knack for spotlighting the good in things. He may have just been trying to be kind, but he would have never told you otherwise. He was just that kind of person.
It didn't matter if you were a fan of his writing looking for a signature, a pig farmer from Georgia, a PR rep, or a racer; if you were conversing with Mike, you were treated as if you were the most important person in his world at that moment. A rare man.
His passion to preserve racing history helped create the IMRRC in Watkins Glen, and it is without a doubt one of the true gems of motorsports. We've had our cars on display there three times, and whenever we've entered the area, we've always been treated like kings. He'd have it no other way.
Mike was larger than life in many ways. He worked for the Cooper Formula 1 team in the mid-1960s as Jochen Rindt's personal mechanic, raced all over the world, and also did much of the grunt work to help promote the United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen.
There was an epic story he once told me about driving a factory-prepared GT40 race car from Ohio to Watkins Glen to help garner publicity for an upcoming GP. Of course, there was no speedometer, and he was pulled over in Pennsylvania for doing roughly double the national highway speed limit for the time. After much debate and anger from the law enforcement officer (whom Mike reinacted with a voice like Boss Hog), Mike got off with a stern warning. In wrapping up the story to me, he ended it warmly with 'Jacques, I really wish you could have been there.'
Same here Michael, same here.
Respectfully Yours,
Jacques N. Dresang
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