Watkins Glen Grand Prix

[GTNT83]

Hey Gangs here's a show every NY Mustang owner should not miss. Its the 2012 Watkins Glen Grand Prix. The Grand Prix is a historical celebration of the original races that took place on the village streets from the forties to the sixties.

The show includes a Concourse D'Elegance judging, A Concourse D'Lemons for odd cars and Laps around the original race route that starts on Main st.

Every year a different marque car is featured. This year it was the Nissan and included B2000's and Z cars.

Next year the marque car is the FORD MUSTANG! So I'm starting this notification off early to get people excited about this great opportunity. The marque cars get to lap the "track" first and then park together as a group in the town park. I'll be posting more info as far as times, dates, hotels in the area and who to contact in Watkins Glen. Hope to see you there. There is also a vintage race car race up at the track on Saturday but the real fun is Friday. So lets see who can make it because this is going to be one very wild time. I can already feel it.

 

[marguerite66]

This sounds like a great event Phil! I'm definitely thinking about it! I want to see whats going to happen with the Finger Lakes Rally. Its a far drive for me so I don't know if I'll come out there twice!

 

[GTNT83]

Hey Dawn, good to hear from you. I was thinking the same thought but this is going to be a LOT of fun! Even more so that the Finger lakes rally believe me . This Grand Prix event is a great time and there are all kinds of cars there from all over . But this year with the Mustang being the Marque car I bet it's going to be wild. but it's even more than that. They have antique car races on saturday at the track and the race cars join the rest in town on friday and it turns into a GIANT cruise it.

Its really about the village and its race history but its a BALL! I've been going off and on for years and its a really kick to watch the cars race down Main st. like the old racers did. I'll get up more info soon but if had an either or I'd pick this.

But ya know you just gave me an idea , i wonder if we could co-ordinate the Finger lakes rally with this event for next year? I know Jim the Mayor of Phelps might not want that but this would be an opportunity to get a lot of NY Mustang people here for a great New York event In New York's historic racing village. Maybe you could help talk this up with other members.? Let me know. Phil.

 

[SCREMNGT]

Wow finally the Mustang is the Marque!

So anyone thinking of doing this and being part of the Tour de Marque MUST and I mean must decide early, this event fills up very early.

Here is the link
http://grandprixfestival.com/

You can read all about what you get but basically you meet early with fellow Mustangers, have an excelletn brunch, hit the track, hit the old stonebridge run and have reserved parking downtown. Then you get tickets for the race on Saturday and Sunday.

It is a bit pricey $140 but well worth it.

Great time, lots of great cars and great people.

I have printed out the form and plan to send mine in this week. Been waiting for this one!

Bill

 

[SCREMNGT]

My check just left with the postman, can't miss this event!

 

[GTNT83]

Thanks Bill, for posting the link and the prices. Bill's right this is going to fill up fast but believe me even if you don't get into one event there are others and things to do and see. And if you have an Odd car like a Mustang II coupe or a 4cylinder car theres the Concourse D'LeMon's for odd man out cars. Then there's the Stonebridge riders groups out of the different Wineries that also get a turn on the track. All in all its a great time so even though its a year away lets start the pot boiling now for what going to be a weekend You may never forget.

 

[GTNT83]

A quick note to add. There are only 650 slots to fill for the event. So if you are planning on entering one of the events consider it sooner rather than later. But even if you can't get into one or the other. Come anyway and we local will try to set up something for those comming from out of town. Including more hotels outside of the immediate Watkins glen area where members can stay and we can travel down together on Friday or Saturday.

 

[marguerite66]

Hey Dawn, good to hear from you. I was thinking the same thought but this is going to be a LOT of fun! Even more so that the Finger lakes rally believe me . This Grand Prix event is a great time and there are all kinds of cars there from all over . But this year with the Mustang being the Marque car I bet it's going to be wild. but it's even more than that. They have antique car races on saturday at the track and the race cars join the rest in town on friday and it turns into a GIANT cruise it.

Its really about the village and its race history but its a BALL! I've been going off and on for years and its a really kick to watch the cars race down Main st. like the old racers did. I'll get up more info soon but if had an either or I'd pick this.

But ya know you just gave me an idea , i wonder if we could co-ordinate the Finger lakes rally with this event for next year? I know Jim the Mayor of Phelps might not want that but this would be an opportunity to get a lot of NY Mustang people here for a great New York event In New York's historic racing village. Maybe you could help talk this up with other members.? Let me know. Phil.

I talked to Dan about this today and he called the mayor. I'm not sure what they plan to do but if its $140 and you are paying for tickets for Sat/Sun races then I don't see people wanting to do that and go to the Rally instead of the races. I think it would be pretty hard to combine the two events.

 

[GTNT83]

Hi Dawn, Thanks for talking with them. The event is a year away but I bet we might be able to work something out . As an example if track time is afforded into the ticket cost( I'm not sure if it is or not yet) then that would get us all Track time.

Any members that show up for the rally COULD get a special sticker and we could arrange our own tour or special event for Saturday or Sunday. We could still hold our own judging event with our own trophies etc.

The only reason I brought this up is that I've participated in the Americade arally where other Organizations like the Red Knight( a firemans riding group) havew held their north east national rally in conjunction with the Americade get together with great success, something to think about.

 

[marguerite66]

Yeah Phil, that would be really awesome if we could do something like that. I guess it depends how flexible they will be. I think the track time is included in that price.

 

[AdirondackFox08]

Hmm, this sounds like fun, but will have to see what happens as far as the rally is concerned too. I will only be up for one trip too.

 

[marguerite66]

Which would you choose Josh?

 

[AdirondackFox08]

It would be tough to choose. I wouldn't really want to stay and watch the other races on Saturday and Sunday. If you could do the Friday activities and just pay for that, then that would be good. I can't see paying 140 for the other stuff that weekend and for two nights at the hotel... The Rally is a really good time, but it might be hard to combine the two in one weekend, and still get a decent amount of mustangs at the rally.

 

[marguerite66]

Very good points Josh..I also wouldn't be interested in the races on Sat/Sun and it is a lot when you have to pay for 2 nights stay as well. I know this event is going to have a huge turnout no matter what so if they are 2 separate events, I'm going to choose the Rally so we can keep that event going strong! I'm hoping people that are more local are going to do both events.

 

[AdirondackFox08]

^Yes, it would be nice if they can still do the Rally next year, I'm pretty sure anyone who went this year would go next year also. And hopefully we can get some more peeps to go with us from the central NY area too.

 

[SilverSpy0]

That sounds fantastic. I have been to pretty much every racing event there this year (except nascar, because, well... yea). I loved being there for the historics races this year. Can't wait to be a part of it next year!!!

 

[Ironhorse]

Hello everyone... Yes this the Festival sounds like an awesome event! That's why I have been in contact with Watkins and asked to Volunteer. We are already working on the Finger Lakes Rally. At this point I'm not sure if it will be possible to combine both events.

The FLR is the first weekend in August and the Festival in Watkins is September. In any case I brought the Rally to the attention of the track rep that I spoke with. Yes cost and travel time is definitly going to affect turnout for both shows.

I'm excited for 2012 and everything that is going on for Mustang events in central Ny. Both events are Supporting the Wounded Warrior Project! Please keep this in mind! Who would want to miss the show in Watkins Glen??? Nobody! The Rally is a anual event... We still need a good turn out to keep this show alive.

I have been in contact with our Mayor and Watkins with hope of working together, but in doing so help bring a something special to Upstate Ny in either case.... See everyone in 2012 one way or another. If anyone has an ideas feel free to mention! Dawn has suggested a dinner or something one night for the Rally in Phelps.

 

[GTNT83]

Well o tell the truth the best part of the Glen Rally is Friday! That's when they race the village route and they have the car show in the PARK AND ALL THE ACTIVITIES. It really is great to see all the cars that show up for the marque that's appointed each year. There usually are plenty of mustangs each year already but I'll bet the turn out is going to be phenomenal!

Of course i'll be going to both and I'm sure there will be plenty of Mustang owners from all over New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and even Ontario Canada. Lots of Canadians show up with their wonderful British cars. Don't feel bad if yopu can't make it but believe me you will regret missing this one!

 

[GTNT83]

Hey Dan, I agree both events are going to be a blast and I was by no means trying to hi jack the rally away from Phelps. Like you said its an annual even and I know I'll be there again,and i hope to do more with you and the people down at the Glen for next year.

My intent is to let the owners here in the Western New York area know that this great event is sponsoring our cars and I wanted to make sure everybody knew about it right away. I know its going to be fantastic.

Wow two great Mustang events in less than a month and a half right here in Western New York. Like you said Dan 2012 is going top be a great year

 

[bluepony05]

will be attending this NO doubt