Watkins Glen International Raceway is one of the most famous race tracks in the world. Opened in 1956 it for many years hosted the Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix, although they haven’t raced that series here for a couple of decades.
We were in the area and I wanted to go by to see if I could get in to check out the track, only to have the pleasant surprise that they were racing – and I could get in for free!
The people racing there are part of an organization called ChampCar – a low budget racing series that allows many who otherwise couldn’t afford to race the chance to get on the track.
For this Friday afternoon they were practicing with the full compliment of course workers to keep things in order.
The pits and garages were open.
As noted pretty much any car with the correct safety gear can race – including what appeared to be an old surplus German police car.
The Watkins Glen track is 3.4 miles long up and down the New York countryside hills.
With 11 turns offering a variety of views.
The air was filled with the buzzing of small engines cranking at max RPMs.
Many cars did have sponsors to offset the costs.
It was a nice afternoon of racing.
RDZ Photography 