Unser Racing Museum

When most people think of the Unser name they think of the Indy / CART racing series.  Me, I think of Pikes Peak.  Races like Pike’s Peak and IMSA usually have multiple classes running on the same day, of not running together on the track.  From my perspective you get more variety at these types of races.  When in Albuquerque the U nser Racing Museum will not disappoint you!    When you first arrive you are given an interesting briefing on the history and layout of the museum.  If you are not familiar with the Unser name when you walk in the briefer will catch you up very quickly on the accomplishments of New Mexico’s native racing family. The museum celebrates multiple generations of Unsers, from patriarch Jerry Unser, to Al Unser III and Mariana Unser as well..

The Unser Racing Museum is a multi-dimensional experience utilizing modern technologies to  immerse you in the  world of racing.  The mueum is in the shape of a steering wheel and the displays run counter clockwise as you enter.  You start with the Pikes Peak races and includes cars and motorcycles raced there. 

There is, obviously the Indy car section that includes the brief split into the Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) circuit.  

There is a display just on tires and motors for the gear head in the crowd and a very nice display on the old (early 1900’s) board track circuit.     

This is where motorcycles would race in wooden tracks with high walls.  There was nowhere to go when things went bad and many people died on this circuit – so many so that William Davidson’s wife – a reporter before they married - wrote articles condemning motorcycles, labeling them “Murdercycles”.  

 From here you will see displays of the IROC (International Race of Champions) where drivers from the different versions of motorsports would compete in identical cars, hoping to claim which version of the sport was superior.  You will also see a display on the current, up-and-coming –Unsers and their race vehicles.

From the main building you will head to building two where there is an extensive collection of antique cars . What caught my attention in this second building was the trophy room. Apparently the winner of the Indy 500 always got a tour of the submarine USS Indianapolis and there were numerous plagues from the submarine in the trophy room!

The museum includes many kiosk’s that prove to be entertaining for a wide variety of age groups.  There is also a racing simulator for those that want to try their hand on the high-banked oval!