Posted on 08/05/2009 7:57:45 PM PDT by Chode
Watkins Glen track gets international attention
WATKINS GLENWatkins Glen International garnered international and national media attention this past week. The track was named one of the top tracks in the country to watch a NASCAR race by Matthew Henson in his story on 10Best.com.
Trailing only behind Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Watkins Glen International outranks several renowned raceways including Michigan International Speedway, Richmond International Raceway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Darlington Raceway, Talladega Super Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway and Daytona International Speedway.
It was beautiful, WGI President Michael Printup said. It was not just the racetrack they talked about. They talked about New York State and the Finger Lakes area too. It is something to be proud about when people like that start writing about a region like ours.
The article highlights Watkins Glen as being one of only two tracks on the Sprint Cup circuit to feature right turns, saying it is regarded by many across the world as one of the best road courses in North America. It also mentions the tracks specialization in campgrounds, saying it has historically been one of the best tracks for RVing/camping.
And the press coverage did not stop there.
Three-time Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel also released a press statement earlier in the month listing Watking Glen International as his top choice to race if he had the opportunity. Vettel said Watkins Glen was first on his list of five tracks in the world he would like to race on, above Le Mans in France, Californias Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, the original Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium and Germanys Norsdschleife during a press event for the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix.
Ive heard lots of good things about it, as in its a proper circuit with lots of ups and downs and loads of history, Vettel said. F1 used to go there but not anymore, so Id like to try that.
In response, Printup issued a press release inviting Vettel to come and drive the course any time.
Today, the three-time Formula One champion received a formal invitation from WGI President Michael Printup to bring his Red Bull Racing-Renault to The Glen anytime, according to the release.
Printup said they have been in contact with Vettels lawyer, who said he will speak to Vettel and hopefully get a response from him by next week.
wrong link posted above, my bad... http://www.observer-review.com/watkins-glen-track-gets-international-attention-cms-3772
Awesome.
Of course Watkins doesn’t have the 10s of millions to be vacuumed up by Bernie so no race for you....
Would love to see F-1 at Road America and Road Atlanta also.
The bridge turn at Atlanta would be just like Eau Rouge at Spa.
I don’t think Road Atlanta has anything like the appropriate run-off areas for a modern F1. Then again, they do still race at Monaco . . .
and Watkins Glen is 2nd to Las Vegas?
they're kidding aren't they?
I agree about Atlanta.
Never happen because of that.
Then again maybe I should say the last time I was at the Glen I did see the whole track from my seat!
it’s a gannett rag so, link only... but good info
No stopping International Racing Research Center
Watkins Glen’s road racing legacy and more on display
Excellent. I need to add that to my list of places to visit.
Went to the Glen many moons ago, in the 70s.
i got a $5000 tax write off in 1999 from all the stuff i gave them, some of which is still there and some they sold for revenue
no seat belts, no roll bars, No Fear!!!
Vintage Race Car Crashes, unreal...
http://devour.com/video/vintage-race-car-crashes/
The old days were brutal.
I recently read several books about American OW in the 20s and 30s and stock cars late 40s early 50s.
Driver and crew mayhem was expected but what is amazing is the number of spectator fatalities and serious injuries.
:)
The 1965-1967 cars were my favorites. The cars they had in Grand Prix, which I still remember watching at The Vogue theater in Broad Ripple at age 7 with my older brothers.
Beautiful cars, but they were too fast with no downforce. Coffins with wheels.
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