FW: For Immediate Release - 22nd Grand Prix Festival of Watkins Glen
Casey Creamer
Some of you already know about this while others still need to know.
Casey
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Carole Pierce, Watkins Glen Promotions director of special events
(607) 535-3003; eve...@watkinsglen.com
22nd GRAND PRIX FESTIVAL of Watkins Glen
Set for Friday, Sept. 11
Parade of Lotus, Ferrari, ‘Muscle cars’ New Feature
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (Sept. 2, 2015) – The Grand Prix Festival of Watkins Glen presented by Chemung Canal Trust Company returns Friday, Sept. 11, to the home of American road racing.
Mazda is the featured marque, and more than 100 Mazdas will be joining the other 400 or so sports cars for this celebration of the history of racing in Watkins Glen.
This year’s Grand Prix Festival extends through the weekend with several new activities.
The opportunity to increase the fun for both festival participants and observers was the result of changes to the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association’s 2015 schedule. Due to the re-paving project at Watkins Glen International, SVRA was at the track in July, rather than its traditional September date.
“Our festival friends are going to have the same great experience as any other year,” Carole Pierce, Watkins Glen Promotions director of events, said, “starting with Smalley’s Tech Inspection first thing in the morning to the fireworks in the State Park gorge at dusk.”
The single biggest difference is that instead of SVRA race cars arriving on Franklin Street late in the afternoon for viewing and tribute laps, the committee is presenting a “Grand Autocade” of Lotus, Ferrari, and classic American “muscle” cars. Vintage motorcycles also will be joining the Franklin Street parade and laps, Pierce said.
“This will be a collection of cars never before seen at a Grand Prix Festival, imagine the rumble of those engines! The committee is very excited about this new feature, and we know everyone else is going to enjoy it, too.”
The Grand Autocade arrives at approximately 5 p.m. The show, as the cars drive laps on the original race circuit, is expected to be the highlight of the day. The cars will then park on Franklin Street for public inspection. Festival goers will be able to get a close look at the vehicles and chat with the owners.
Other features of the Grand Prix Festival weekend:
- Classic racing films at the Glen Theater. “Greased Lightning” with Richard Pryor (1977) at 7 p.m. Friday; “Winning” with Paul Newman (1969) at 7 p.m. Saturday; and “Le Mans” with Steven McQueen (1971) at 5 p.m. Sunday.
- A celebration of Can-Am racing on Saturday at the International Motor Racing Research Center, 610 S. Decatur St. Former Can-Am champion racer Oscar Koveleski and Jack Deren, chief mechanic for Koveleski’s Team Auto World McLaren, will be the program’s headliners, along with noted motorsports journalist Pete Lyons.
- Glen Region SCCA Autocross at WGI, an autocross featuring two different courses, one specifically designed for novices and first timers and the other a challenging course designed to satisfy the veterans of the sport. Entries are limited, but some space for walk-ons may be available. Spectators are also welcome. For more information, go to www.GrandPrixFestival.com/weekend2015 and follow the link.
- “Retrace the Race” Walking Tour, joining racing historian Bill Green and other knowledgeable folks on an historic walking of downtown Watkins Glen. The tour starts at noon on Sunday, Sept. 12. Reservations are required by contacting the Glen Motor Inn at (607) 535-2706.
- Seneca Lake Wine Trail and the fun of visiting three award-winning wineries in the Watkins Glen area, traveling along a carefully chosen road course giving you maximum driving fun. To purchase tickets for either day, visit the Festival website at www.grandprixfestival.com/weekend2015 and follow the link in the section about the Wine Trail tour.
For all the details of the Grand Prix Festival and the weekend events, visit the website www.GrandPrixFestival.com.
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