WGI has confirmed the start time and cost for this year's paced laps for Opening Day. They open the track for paced laps for anyone who would like to drive their car on the track. 3 paced laps is $20, and the racetrack does this as a charity fundraiser. (Maximum speed 55 mph, no passing) We've been getting Minis together for this since 2003, and it's been a lot of fun over the years.

The first entrance at Watkins Glen International is
the entrance used for this event.

So my plan is once again:
Meet at the 3rd entrance at 10 AM. Drive down to the 1st entrance, wind our way through the crowds to the track (this takes time because there are a LOT of cars there), pretend we are Mario Andretti, or Stirling Moss if you are as old as I am, and then head out for lunch somewhere. Please post here or let me know if you are planning to come down, since there are a lot of cars at the track that day, and herding all the Minis together is a logistic challenge. And then they let us drive together on the track.

I'll have 2 way radios on channel 7, sub channel 21.

My choice for the lunch spot this year is Mr Chicken, on Franklin St in Watkins Glen. Not too fancy, but close by and the food was good when I was there last.
If there is interest in a caravan from Rochester &
west to Watkins Glen, let me know! (Would be leaving
the Rochester area around 8:30 AM)

Mapquest link for Watkins Glen Racetrack
Watkins Glen International
2790 County Route 16
Watkins Glen, NY 14891

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?country=US&addtohistory=&formtype=address& searchtype=address&cat=&address=2790%20County%20Ro ad%2016&city=Watkins%20Glen&state=NY&zipcode=14891 %2d9511

 

If the weather next weekend is like today... count me in.

 

I sure hope it is! I think it's safe to take the snow tires off finally!

 

Hope y'all don't get snowed out. Like I did this past weekend.

 

Wasn't it sunny and 60 degrees last weekend? I guess maybe they cancelled when it was nasty.

I'm hoping for no snow, at least. If we can avoid torrential rain that would be good too.

 

So....

Who's going?

 

Me! If all come who say they'd like to, I think it's about 7-10 Minis. If it's a nice day, maybe we'll get a few more.

 

I'm likely going to be there too; driving down from Syracuse. I'm bringing a friend, who wants to drive his own car, (a 1968 Camaro Z28, which he just finished totally restoring). I would love to meet all the MINI owners, and even do the laps with them, but I also don't want to alienate my friend.

We'll have to figure it out when we get down there. Maybe I don't do laps with you guys, but at least I'd like to meet you all. We will meet you at the aforementioned spot.

The latest weather I just saw looks like sunny and 68 degrees! That would be excellent!

 

Oh, by the way, if you were to normally do paced laps any other weekend, you'd have to go buy a ticket at the race shop down in the village.

I called them, and the lady told me that for this event, you can simply show up at the race track, and pay for your laps there.

Is this correct? I wouldn't want to get to the track, then have to go all the way back to the village. That would totally tweak my nerves!

Please advise.

 

Yes, that's correct- they collect payment & have everyone sign waivers at the track entrance.

No problem with having the Camaro join us- I'd love to see it! Last year in the Finger Lakes run someone in a Corvette doing the daily track laps asked if he could go on with the Minis. Of course we said yes!

 

Cool, thanks for your open-mindedness!

 

There will be a handful of us coming from the Binghamton/Endicott area: 3 MINIs, a BMW Z4 & a MGB if its ready (some last minute things to get it road worthy, the alternative is a PT Cruiser). Hopefully there w/also be a GP coming from the Buffalo area as well.

 

Cool! I still haven't seen a GP in person yet, but WGI would be a great place to see one!

I'll have 2 way radios on channel 7 subchannel 21 if anyone has radios, they may come in handy.

If we have time we can do a run around the old village Grand Prix course. (Radios come in handy for the Franklin St stretch)

 

Third Mini ?

 

If the sun is shinning I'll be at the track. Driving in from Buffalo.

Joe I have your package ready.

 

Brewmeister, you're bringing your super-awesome camera, right? Should be a nice day for photography. And probably a polarizing filter, too!

 

Hard to take "that" pic from the drivers seat... but yes I have the Rebel and the new 70 -200L ready to go.

Polarizing filter needs replacing but spending to much on MINI stuff

See you there!!!

 

J Pavlo suggested going to the Wildflower Cafe/ Crooked Rooster Brewpub (if I have that name right) on Franklin St for lunch, and they are willing to seat a crowd, though maybe at a bunch of tables rather than all together (this would be true at Mr Chicken too). I suspect we'd have to park over in the big lot on the other side of Franklin. I'll take a poll at the end of the track laps tomorrow & see who's interested. The Wildflower Cafe sponsored either Graham Hill's or Stirling Moss's marker (can't remember which), so I've been meaning to go there for a while.

See you all tomorrow! Let's hope it's nice weather for a polarized filter.

 

I'm with Joe on his pick. They've been great for years after BMW events.
Good choice Joe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I'll print out the menu and bring it along

 

Brewmeister: re:3rd MINI....you got it! Steve G. from Binghamton w/be joining us for the drive up. See you in the morning.

newbs49: Thanks for picking that up for me. Looking forward to seeing you & your GP.

 

Looks like a nice day for a drive!

 

Still raining here

 

Yuck, still misting here, and the roads are totally soaked. I am mad, because I washed my car yesterday.

My car is going to look like crap by the time I get there; all dirty and spotty. Especially the boot. The weathermen got it wrong again! I thought I was going to wake up to sunshine and dry roads this morning!

 

It was nice seeing everyone, each year we increase our numbers. Here's a couple of shots out my windscreen (bloke version of windshield) LOL

Don't forget the Fathers Day car show gathering!