Watkins Glen Vintage Festival

[gromit]

Sept 6 through 8. Who wants to go? Mini will be featured and the Glen in late summer is beautiful.

See this post:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...242#post117143

Great oppurtunity to get together in NY/NJ/CT/MA/PA!

[HarryHBMCC]

Are they featuring Minis or MINIs?

Harry

[gromit]

should have done that right in my original post...I'll go back and edit. I've got to think at least part of the reason for the featuring of the Mini is due to the popularity of the MINI. The Mini is a relatively rare beast in the US.

Can you make it down? Would love to host a few of my Canadian cousins!

[HarryHBMCC]

It really isn't very far away. Many of my wife's relatives live in Niagara, a few in PA too. The question is, would I bring the family? They all like to watch racing (even my 16-month old son likes the "mroom mrooms") so you never know, it just might happen.

Harry

[gromit]

From the Watkins Glen website (www.theglen.com)

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.


I don't think there's the same animosity (if that's the correct description) between old and new mini folks in the states as in the UK. I'm sure we'll be very welcome.

[HarryHBMCC]

Wonder if we could get international club hospitality with our non-vintage British cars? A parade lap would be fun

Harry

[gromit]

Includes a "Parade Lap". When I called and ordered the tix no-one questioned what I was driving. I'll wait and see if it will be a problem but my gut feeling is that with the interest in the new MINI my car will be welcome.

[jtalarico]

I'm going to do everything I can to be there - but unless miracles happen in Oxford, I'll be driving my MINIvan not my MINI Cooper. Argh!

Look forward to seeing you folks if you can make it. Now, how will we identify each other...oh yeah, you'll be the guys driving the MINIs!

[sdmidget]

gromit, et al

I'm going! I have reservations at the Motel 6 in Elmira (Horseheads) for Fri and Sat nites.

Ordered the 3-day general admission and the International Club Hospitality package also.

[gromit]

Quote:

Originally posted by sdmidget
gromit, et al

I'm going! I have reservations at the Motel 6 in Elmira (Horseheads) for Fri and Sat nites.

Ordered the 3-day general admission and the International Club Hospitality package also.

Lori (mrs gromit) and Kate (little gromit) will be seeing you there!

What time do you plan to arrive?

[sdmidget]

Don't know yet about arrival time - depends alot on whether or not I take the scenic route (up US 220 to Athens/Sayre) or up US 15 to Corning and over to Elmira.

Will have to do some route planning in next few weeks....

(Also need to get the car into the dealer before then - for my first oil change and to deal with the Cooper shift cable/linkage problem - mine's one of the "lucky" VINs.)

[The Glen PR]

HI Everyone! Jason made me aware of this terrific site and I noticed there were several questions about the Zippo U.S. Vintage Grand Prix held at Watkins Glen International, September 6-8, 2002. Hopefully I can answer everything and please feel free to contact me if you do have additional questions.

To give you some background on the weekend, we are featuring the Mini Cooper as one of our races. You'll see the vintage Mini's taking to the track throughout the weekend. It's really a great weekend that celebrates the history of The Glen and all car enthusiasts are welcome to come - especially the new MINI owners!

The International Car Club would be perfect for all of the new MINI owners. When you register for the package, you will park in a designated MINI corral inside Turn One. Only MINIs will be able to park in that area (there will be other areas for other cars). In addition, you receive one paced lap of the track, as well as access to the hospitality tent on Sunday. It's a really great way to enjoy the weekend with other MINI owners.

The event schedule hasn't been released yet, but hopefully it will be available within the next week. It should follow the schedule of past years, which is practice and qualifying on Friday and Saturday and the feature races on Sunday (usually about a half-hour in length). If you have additional questions, you can contact me or the ticket office at 607-535-2481.

I hope to be able to host you at The Glen this fall!!

[sdmidget]

We look forward to your updates.

We'll try to mobilize as many new MINIs as possible!!



Steve Dellinger

[gromit]

Nice to chat with you on the phone today. Good to have The Glen on MINI2. Please keep us advised of any Watkins Glen events that might be of interest to us at MINI2.