WATKINS GLEN TO CELEBRATE 60 YEARS OF ROAD RACING IN 2008
Watkins Glen, NY (November 7, 2007) - Road racing at Watkins Glen has
been a tradition in upstate N.Y. ever since, October 2, 1948, "The Day
They Stopped the Trains" for the first post-World War II road race in the
United States. Each year the Grand Prix Festival, held in conjunction
with the U.S. Vintage Grand Prix, pays tribute to the first road race by
hosting a race reenactment in the village. This has become a tradition
that is enjoyed by motorsports enthusiasts from around the country. In
2008, Watkins Glen International will be honoring their diamond
anniversary and 60 years of road-racing. The celebration is expected to
begin on Opening Day at the track, April 27, and will last until the
season's finale during the country's largest vintage racing event the
U.S. Vintage Grand Prix, September 5-7.
"We are extremely proud of our motorsports heritage and the opportunity
to celebrate 60 years is an outstanding accomplishment," stated Craig
Rust, President of Watkins Glen International. "The Glen has had the
privilege of hosting virtually every major racing series in the world
covering all forms of motorsports throughout our storied history, and we
will strive to continue our leadership role in American road racing."
Watkins Glen International is set to host eight event weekends in 2008
beginning with Opening Day on April 27, marking the advance sale deadline
for all race weekend tickets. Fans can once again take on the twists and
turns of the famed road course in their own vehicles, or take a ride in a
pace car. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Victory Junction Gang
Camp, a NASCAR Foundation supported charity.
The first racing action will take place June 6-8 during the 27th running
of the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series
weekend. The long-standing sports car race will run on Saturday, June 7
and be joined, this year, by the NASCAR Busch East Series on Sunday, June
8. The NASCAR Busch East Series, previously called the NASCAR Grand
National Division Busch North Series, ran at Watkins Glen International
from 1993 - 2004. Brad Leighton of Center Harbor New Hampshire, is the
most recent defending champion, winning the 2004 Mohegan Sun 150. The
pole was won that year by three-time Glen winner, Andy Santerre.
"Every year we evaluate our schedule and try to add or grow events for
our fans," stated Rust. "We know that the Busch East Series has dedicated
fans in the North East, so we think that the addition of this race, is
the right fit for our track during an already exciting weekend."
The next big event of the 2008 season takes place on the
Fourth of July weekend, when the IndyCar Series comes back to The Soul of
American Road Racing during the Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen. The
track will celebrate the nation's independence all weekend starting with
the Friday Night Block Party on the 4th, including bands on the Red Cat
Summer Stage, a huge fireworks display, carnival food, kids rides, games
and more. The Indy Pro Series, Penn Grade 1 Historic Grand Prix and Grand-
Am KONI Challenge Series will also take on the historic 3.4-mile long
course - marking five races in one weekend.
In 2008, the Centurion Boats at The Glen is back on its traditional
August race weekend. The NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series will
turn left and right at The Glen, August 7-10. Fans can see the stars of
the Centurion Boats at The Glen NASCAR Sprint Cup Series challenge the
famed 2.45-mile track on Sunday, August 10 and the NASCAR Nationwide
Series Zippo 200 on Saturday, August 9. The weekend action kicks-off as
the Daytona Prototypes of the Grand-Am Rolex Series make their second
appearance at The Glen on Friday, August 8 for the Crown Royal 200.
The Historic Sportscar Racing weekend will also return to The Glen in
2008, June 13-15. The event will once again be open to the public and
will feature some of racing's most historic sports cars.
The SCCA Glen Nationals, the longest-running event at The Glen, returns
July 12-13, followed immediately by the East Coast's largest showcase of
New York state wines, the Finger Lakes Wine Festival, July 18-20. The
event features over 80 wineries from around the region, pouring over 600
different wines combined with some of the area's best arts & crafts,
food, music, culinary classes and cooking demonstrations.
The 2008 season will close with the traditional season finale - the U.S.
Vintage Grand Prix, September 7-9. This event will celebrate the 60th
Anniversary of road racing in The Glen and includes the Grand Prix
Festival race reenactment on the village streets of Watkins Glen on
Friday evening. The weekend continues to be the largest vintage racing
event in the country featuring historic cars of the past from as far back
as the 1930's. The weekend's featured marques will be Triumph, Formula
5000 and the 50th Anniversary of Lola. The honored guest will be
announced at a later date.
Tickets for the entire 2008 season will go on sale December 1. For
tickets and information, please contact the Watkins Glen ticket office at
866-461-RACE or log on to the official Watkins Glen website at
www.TheGlen.com.
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2008 Schedule of Events:
Opening
Day
April 27
27th Running of The Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen June 6-8
Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series (Saturday)
NASCAR Busch East Series (Sunday)
*Other support races TBA
Watkins Glen
Historics June 13-
15
Historic Sports Car Racing
Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen July 4-6
IndyCar Series (Sunday)
IndyPro Series (two races - Saturday)
Penn Grade 1 Historic Grand Prix (Sunday)
Grand Am-KONI Challenge (Saturday)
SCCA Glen
Nationals July
12-13
Finger Lakes Wine
Festival July 18-20
Yancey's Fancy Launch of the Lakes (Friday Evening)
Centurion Boats at The Glen
August 7-10
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (Sunday)
(Sprint Cup qualifying - Friday)
Zippo 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series (Saturday)
Crown Royal 200 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series (Friday)
U.S. Vintage Grand
Prix September 5-7
Grand Prix Festival in the village (Friday)
Chemung Canal Trust Antique Auto Show (Saturday)
Media contact - Eiron Smith at 607-535-2486, ext. 354 or via e-mail at
esmith@theglen.com
11.07.07
NASCAR Busch East Added to Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen Weekend in June

Keuka Lake

