Peter Argetsinger

Beginning in the early 1970s, Argetsinger launched a 47-year career as a professional road racing driver until his health failed in the fall of 2019. He was a member of the Road Racing Drivers Club and had successes on the world’s major courses, initially in Europe and then in the U.S. and South America. Argetsinger was named German Formula Ford Rookie of the Year in 1974 and set the series’ fastest lap at the famous Hockenheimring, helping his Team Royale clinch the European FF Title. After moving to England, he captured a 1980 British Formula Ford Championship and was voted British Driver of the Year. Competition in Formula Three, sports cars, sedans, as well as IMSA and Daytona prototypes, followed. Argetsinger coached many successful professional drivers at the start of their careers, including 1996 Formula One World Champion Damon Hill, Indy 500 winners Juan Pablo Montoya, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Alexander Rossi and others including James Hinchcliffe, Graham Rahal and Gabby Chaves. Additionally, he instructed at the Skip Barber racing school, tutored private clients and was chief instructor of the Formula BMW young drivers’ series in the U.S. and in Europe. The U.S. State Department’s Anti-Terrorism Division also used his talents. In 2011, Argetsinger was inducted into the Watkins Glen Drivers Walk of Fame, a project of the IMRRC. He was introduced by his brother Michael Argetsinger, an award-winning motorsports author. Michael died in 2015. Up until his final days, Peter was sought after for the 2020 season as a driver and coach, family members said. He passed away from cancer Feb. 6, 2020 at home in Watkins Glen at age 69.