US Vintage GP - Watkins Glen - Sept 6-8, 2002

[jlivingood]

On one of the dealer threads some discussion has been ongoing about people heading to the US Vintage Gran Prix up at Watkins Glen this year. The featured marque is Mini.

From The Glen's web site:
Zippo U.S. Vintage Grand Prix
The Zippo U.S. Vintage Grand Prix roars back to life on its traditional September weekend with two spectacular features - the IMSA GTP and Mini Cooper. Watch as the original IMSA GTP cars, including the famous Nissans, Toyotas, Jaguars, and Porsches, gather at The Glen to defend their title as the fastest cars to ever race on the 3.4-mile road course. Then join the celebration as The Glen welcomes a reunion of the legendary Mini Cooper, Britain's favorite fun car.

General admission for the weekend is a bargain at $35. That gives you paddock and garage access. Some people camp at the track and some people stay in hotels locally.

The featured marque usually takes a parade lap and I'm wondering if a parade lap with or including the new MINI can't be arranged.

It seems that at least several people from Pennsylvania are planning to make the trek up the The Glen. Thought this would be a great central place to discuss this...

Thoughts, interest, etc.?

Jason

[jlivingood]

I just dropped an email to The Glen's PR manager asking if MINI USA is planning to attend / be involved. I also inquired to see if new MINIs might be included in the parade laps in some manner.

We'll see!

Jason

[JimMini]

I won't be spending the whole weekend there, but do plan to make an appearance, hopefully in my MINI Cooper...she is at 155 as of yesterday and there is a boat headed my way on the 27th.

[sdmidget]

I bought the ticket packages that include general admission ($35) and the "International Club Hospitality" ($45), which is described as follows:


Ask about special "Corral" Parking and Parade Laps for Italian and British Cars as well as Porsches, BMWs and Corvettes

Need to find out if there will/can be a newMINI "corral" and Parade Laps!

Have a room reserved at Motel 6 in Horseheads (Elmira).

[jlivingood]

I got a very kind email reply from the senior PR manager for the Glen. She actually went ahead and checked out MINI2 and thought it was a pretty cool forum. It's nice to see that someone who enjoys cars and understands car enthusiasts is at the PR helm at a place as great as The Glen!

So a few key points for everyone planning to attend or thinking of attending:

1. Tickets for the event are available for purchase online at http://dbserver.iscmotorsports.com/T...hedEventID=269. You can also call 607-535-2481. The Glen's website is http://www.theglen.com of course.

2. The celebrated car is the Mini Cooper. One of the races that weekend will feature all vintage Mini Coopers fighting it out for victory on the track. Minis will be in other race events as well throughout the weekend.

3. New MINI owners are actively being encouraged to attend and it sounds like a deal may be in the works to have MINI USA present in some form. Not sure if that means a bunch of new MINIs, MINI USA hospitality area, or what. Nevertheless, with the interesting and fun marketing that MINI USA has done in the US I'm sure it'd be really great to have them there, participating in the event in some manner!

4. If you buy the "International Car Corral" ticket you will be permitted to park in a designated Mini Corral inside of turn 1. Only Minis will be permitted to park in that area (other marques will have their own areas elsewhere). In addition, you receive one paced lap on the track and access to the hospitality tent on Sunday.

All in all, sounds pretty fun! I am planning to attend and will likely camp there as I have before.

Jason

[sdmidget]

Thanks for obtaining the info, Jason.

Sounds like a fun weekend!!

Steve

[COOPERation]

Sounds like a fun weekend!

Having attended numerous Formula One, World Endurance, Can-Am, and IMSA Camel GT events at Watkins Glen since the 60's, it's a hard pill to swallow to pay FIFTY US DOLLARS to camp on the grounds. What a rip-off. The place is just not the same since NASCAR invaded those hallowed grounds.

Remember the bog...

[sjbartnik]

I'm thinking it would be VERY fun to go to this. Does anyone have any info on the schedule, i.e. what's happening on each day?

I couldn't find that info on the web site. I would have to drive about 5.5 hours to get out there and I have to travel to New York City that Sunday night so I have to figure out if it's worth being strung out for the first 2 days or so of the next week

[sdmidget]

Remember ..... burning tour buses in the bog?

[loder]

Would be a good chance for the Philly members to meet!
I may have to mark this on my calendar. About how long is the trip from PA?

[sdmidget]

... depending on how fast you want to get there.

[JimMini]

Quote:

Originally posted by sdmidget
Remember ..... burning tour buses in the bog?

Remember waiting in line at the beer truck on Sunday morning
for them to start selling beer at noon ?!

[sdmidget]

I see that we have some veterans on this thread!!

[COOPERation]

Out of beer by Sunday morning? Must have been your first time...Genny Cream Ale...never again!

[jtalarico]

I'll be at the Glen for the Vintage GP....sans MINI.