Opening Day at Watkins Glen

gvcmel · Motorist

Opening Day at Watkins Glen

yellowmininy · Obsessed (Taking the long-cut)

Let us know what you hear on the car club day. We have usually had a Mini group there, along with the Southern Tier Minis, of about 20-25 cars. We've usually gone on Sunday, but a special car club day would be great.

Brewmeister · Member

Our group is currently thinking Sunday but didn't know about Car Club Saturday. Where is the info posted on the two sessions deal?

yellowmininy · Obsessed (Taking the long-cut)

The WGI main website refers to 'Opening Weekend', though the map refers to entrance paths for single cars and car clubs, like they've done in the past. I tried sending an email through their 'contact us' link for more info.

SPDinNY · Motorer

I am up for a Saturday run =)

gvcmel · Motorist

Here is what I got last week. Sketchy, hopefully more details follow soon as promised.

Opening Weekend April 24 th - 25 th is continuing to take shape daily. We have many new agenda items and details that are still getting worked out - however, I felt it was better to update you as we go along so you can best prepare for the weekend, if your schedule permits!

Although tentative, the weekend schedule looks to have our gates open at 9am, with on track activity at 10am.

Thanks to the feedback received, Saturday will be a day focused on all car clubs. Although we plan to still be open to the public, we feel that 70% of the cars on track will be represented from your clubs. Clubs can still come Sunday, however we are preparing for a greater turnout from the public, which to best serve your needs, is why we encourage your participation on Saturday.

A 3 lap session will be $25 this year. Any Club member that purchases 2 sessions, will receive a 3 rd session for free.

We will be taking advanced reservations Saturday and Sunday so you can better plan your day. They will be available starting at 10:30am and can be assigned every 30 minutes on the hour and half hour. Please email me with your preferred time and reservations will be made based on availability.

We hope that with a dedicated Car Club Day, we can ease the congestion and spend more time getting to know your clubs and let you enjoy your visit. You will have the time to line up your club members in advance so that the race enthusiasts are up front for the lap and the more refined driver can follow behind, enjoying their lap without someone tailgating.

We realize this is a transition year and hope your understanding will help us through any hiccups found along the way to make this day all about you.

Last, as new details emerge about the rest of the weekend, please check your email so that we can effectively communicate any new information that will help you and your members have a great weekend at the track.

MightyMo · Motorer

Mo and I can do Saturday or Sunday. GVCMEL - To keep track you should start a poll for voting. 1-saturday, 2- sunday or 3- both days are fine. Once we get the day then we can set the time.

-- Edited by MightyMo on Sunday 14th of March 2010 11:44:45 AM

PepperMINI · Motorer

I can do either one, but I think that going on car club day might be better.

yellowmininy · Obsessed (Taking the long-cut)

I just got a call from Watkins Glen, and have reserved a spot for us on Saturday at 11:30 AM. They are still working out logistics for how they will do multiple laps (3 laps are $25, if you pay for 2 3 lap sessions the 3rd run will be free), not sure if they can do these as consecutive laps, or coming off the track to regroup then run again, depending on the other cars waiting.

I'll post this over in events as well, so we can organize the caravans as usual.

Sat, April 24th @ 11:30- we'll arrange to meet before this time at the track.

Jack07734 · Motorer

I posted this over on SOMC. It bumps against thier first drive of the season but hey you never know.

Add Ryan and me to the list.

smile Happy motoring,

Jack

VentaRossa · Member

buy 2 get 3rd free! Awesome! Hopefully, they work this out so you don't have to stay there all day just to get the other laps in. cry

unfortunately, April 24th is the SCCA Finger Lakes Region autocross novice school (at RIT).

decisions, decisions.

btw, racing your MINI in autocross is a blast! And no danger (well, very little) that you will hurt your car, as you are only racing against the clock and (usually) the only thing you can run into is a rubber traffic cone. (http://www.flr-scca.com/solo/index.html).

a MINI is very competitive in autocross, as it is more about cornering than top speed (not that my MINI is slow, it just may not have the top speed of a 'Vette, but I routinely beat 'Vettes in elapsed time) biggrin

There are lots of SCCA "regions" in the area. IMHO, the best place any of them race is at the Seneca Army Depot (Romulus, NY). It is an old airport, so they have lots of room to lay out some really interesting tracks. Go kart tracks are also a lot of fun.

http://www.flr-scca.com/
http://www.wny-scca.com/
http://www.glen-scca.org/
http://snyr-scca.org/
http://www.cny-scca.com

SPDinNY · Motorer

think they will let me run the M3 with the Minis?

PepperMINI · Motorer

We most likely will be joining.

Spd, you should see when the BMW club is running...if they're right next to us, you could drive with them! Wouldn't that be fun?

SPDinNY · Motorer

no because I probably cannot keep up with them...LOL

lucky1 · Newbie (Taking the short-cut)

Hi, I just joined a few minutes ago and would like to go to opening day and run the track. How do I sign up for Saturday the 24th of April 2010? Thanks

gvcmel · Motorist

VentaRossa - beginning to detect a hint of addiction in your posting about autocross.

I've noticed you coming out to play at Seneca Army Depot. It's a long run from Rochester and points west but as you said, wide open and lots of area to play in.

Should I pull the poll down since we have a time to play?

-- Edited by gvcmel on Tuesday 16th of March 2010 06:51:58 PM

yellowmininy · Obsessed (Taking the long-cut)

Lucky1, the sign up is pretty simple for us- just post here that you'd like to come & show up. (Will post more info tomorrow on the location to meet to drive to Watkins Glen- usually the Canandaigua Wegmans)

The Glen staff have a sign up/waiver admission process at the gate once we get there. I'll try to get them an idea of the Mini head count, since they're trying to figure out the logistics. (They did say they can fit more of on the track at a time than some cars!)

lucky1 · Newbie (Taking the short-cut)

I will come on Saturday and would like to drive the track for 25 dollars. Thanks so much!

yellowmininy · Obsessed (Taking the long-cut)

I posted a thread over in 'Events', so more info there!
http://miniclubofwny.activeboard.com/index.spark?aBID=71633&p=3&topicID=34712094