I'm waiting to hear back from Watkins Glen International to confirm the track laps at noon, but that should be OK. I have finally remembered far enough in advance to reserve a shelter at Watkins Glen State Park, so we won't even have to travel far for lunch!
So, this year it will be on Sunday, 8/20/06. We'll meet at 9 AM at the Premier Outlet Mall in Waterloo (will get Mapquest links here soon, but it's on 318 between exits 42 & 41 off the NY State Thruway). We'll head to Watkins Glen Racetrack for 3 paced track laps ($25 this year I believe), then drive the village Grand Prix course & head to Watkins State Park for a picnic lunch.
WGI confirms that we are on for track laps on Sunday. Could be a fun weekend- Jack & Laurie's pooley party on Saturday, Watkins Glen on Sunday! Woo hoo!
It's time again for the 3rd annual Finger Lakes Mini Run, which will be on Sunday, August 20th, 2006.
We'll meet again at 9 AM at Prime Outlet Mall in Waterloo, NY, for anyone coming from the north of Watkins Glen, and then drive to Watkins Glen International Racetrack for paced laps at 12 noon ($25 per car), a drive around the village Grand Prix course that was originally run through the town, and then to Watkins Glen State Park ($7 per car park use fee) for lunch.
For anyone coming from the south, we'll be meeting at the 3rd entrance of the Watkins Glen International racetrack at 11:30 AM & grouping the Minis together, and then heading to the main gate @ 12 noon.
We will drive directly to the park after the track laps and the village tour, but if anyone needs directions to the park let me know.
Once again, I'll be providing sandwich makings, but if everyone could bring something along to share, unless you're coming from over 100 miles away, it would be appreciated. For ideas, if your name starts with A-G, bring veggies or a salad, for H-O bring chips or snacks, and for P-Z bring some type of dessert. If in doubt, bring dessert. :)
Recap on costs for the day- $25 to track laps at Watkins Glen International Racetrack
$7 to Watkins Glen State Park for the day use fees.
Please email me with any questions. If you have 2 way radios, they will be helpful to keep the group together on the way to Watkins Glen & in town. The State Park does have a swimming pool & hiking trails, and camping if you'd like to explore the scenery there.
Please let me know if you are planning on coming, so I can estimate the numbers. (PM or post here)
I hope you all can make it! Cathleen (YellowMiniNY)
I just picked up my new Red and Black Mini 2 weeks ago.I would love to go to the glen.As I live in Batavia, I have no problem getting to the track on time . What I need to know is how do we pay and is anyone going by Batavia that my wife and I can meet and drive with.Thanks Geo
Geo wrote: I just picked up my new Red and Black Mini 2 weeks ago.I would love to go to the glen.As I live in Batavia, I have no problem getting to the track on time . What I need to know is how do we pay and is anyone going by Batavia that my wife and I can meet and drive with.Thanks Geo
Congrats on your new MINI! I'll take a stab at your Q's given the past 2 years of MINI runs in the Finger Lakes: We pay as we go - ie. we pay at the track for the paced laps, then pay at the park, etc.
I'm coming from near Canandaigua and although it's only ~1/2 hr to Waterloo, if you'd like to meet up at exit 44 off the Thruway, I'm game! The more motorers the merrier!
__________________
2004 EB/W MCS, white stripes, Sport & Prem. Packages, H/K Stereo w/aux. port & iPod, Madness CAI, 15% pulley, Invidia cat back, dyno tune, R-Speed rear swaybar, M7 STB. www.motoringfile.com
Sorry, Geo, I thought I replied- oops! Yes, the track laps money is collected at the gate, and I don't think they take any other payment than cash, but maybe that's because that's how I've usually done it.
I will probably be heading to the Outlet Mall from Rochester early Sunday morning, leaving around 7:30. (May be stopping to pick up lunch supplies in Geneva) If anyone is interested in a caravan from the west, let me know! You may not want to be there quite that early, though.
Sad to say, but I will not make it again this year... I think I broke my pinky toe last weekend (I don't care enough to actually go to the doctor, because there isn't much they can do anyways...) so driving is pretty much out for me untill it's better...
The rain held off just long enough to get down to Watkins Glen, drive the track, have lunch & get home again. Perfect weather, and a nice bunch of folks from near and far. I hope everyone had as much fun as I did!
Cathleen, thank you for all you did. The run was great fun, as was the lunch. It was nice to meet you all and put a face to your screen name. We are looking forward to the next run. If anyone is interested I have pic's of most of the cars during the laps. Just message me with your email and I will send them.
Cath, Once again a truly wonderful day! Thanks for the time and effort you put into the whole undertaking! We even managed to catch three wineries open on the way home, which thrilled Babs to no end! With all the bottles in the boot, I'm glad we did that on the return trip and not BEFORE the Glen track time! Can you imagine what the car would have smelled like coming off the track with all the shattered wine bottles? Yikes! Thanks again! Bill and Barb aka "Cogman"