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ÏJohn Fitch-American Racing HeroÓ at Saratoga Automobile Museum

July 12, 2006

For Immediate Release
Contact: Alan Edstrom @ 518-587-1935
ÏJohn Fitch-American Racing HeroÓ at Saratoga Automobile Museum

Saratoga Springs, NY (July 12, 2006) Saratoga Springs, New York is traditionally known for its thoroughbred race track, but beginning July 29, a different kind of horsepower is going to be taking center stage as the Saratoga Automobile Museum presents an remarkably unique exhibit of some of the most significant and awe-inspiring 1950Ìs race cars from across the world with ÏJohn Fitch Ò American Racing HeroÓ. The exhibit honors the life and career of a man who was not only one of AmericaÌs premier sportscar racers for over two decades, but who was also a World War II fighter pilot and a creative mind whose inventions made life safer for both racers on the track and motorists on the highway. The premier of the exhibit is at the MuseumÌs annual Summer Gala on Friday July 28, and the exhibit opens to the public on Saturday July 29, and runs through November 14, 2006.

Besides driving as the lone American for Mercedes Benz throughout the 1950Ìs and 1960Ìs, his lasting contribution is the development of those iconic yellow barrels you see on highways, known as the ÏFitch Inertial BarriersÓ. Not only has he been recognized by the National Academy of Sciences for his lifelong contributions in the field of roadside safety, this simple, elegant safety solution has saved countless lives worldwide. His scorecard in racing is legendary and includes winning the foremost circuits of their day; the Grand Prix of Argentina, the Mille Miglia in Italy, the race at Sebring, Florida and running the LeMans 24 Hours six times with a best finish of third place. His road track pedigree includes being the first manager of the Corvette race team, the builder of racing Corvairs, his important safety designs of the then new Lime Rock Park race-course, as well as being an award winning inventor. He is still driving race cars at the age of 89.

ÓJohn Fitch is an amazing racer, and these are some rare and stunning race cars,Ó said Steve Potter, Executive Director of the Saratoga Automobile Museum. ÏThe timing was perfect for a collection as outstanding as this, so when the opportunity to partner with Mercedes-Benz USA presented itself we knew it was right.Ó

Some of the racers featured in the exhibit (fourteen cars in all) include an eye-popping 1952 Mercedes Ò Benz 300SL Competition Roadster/Panamerica that raced in the Mille Miglia, and came in 5th overall and first in class, the one-of-a-kind Fitch Phoenix, and the C4R Cunningham- the car that won Fitch the 1953 Sebring 12-hour with Phil Hill. The exhibit also includes never before seen interviews of John Fitch from award winning documentary film maker Chris Szwedo whose film ÏA Gullwing at Twilight Ò The Bonneville Ride of John FitchÓ had its New York premier at the Museum last year.

The mission of the Saratoga Automobile Museum is to display significant cars, trucks, and vehicles that not only represent the automotive heritage of New York State but the entire world of motorized transportation. The Museum is chartered by the Board of Regents of the State of New York Department of Education and in addition to organizing permanent and temporary exhibits, the Museum hosts a variety of workshops, interactive displays, lectures, and outdoor shows.

The Saratoga Automobile Museum is located on the grounds of Saratoga Spa State Park at 110 Avenue of the Pines. For more information, guests can also visit the MuseumÌs website at www.saratogaautomuseum.org or call (518) 587-1935.