A Lap around the Original Watkins Glen GP Circuit |
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A Lap around the Original Watkins Glen GP Circuit |
carr914 |
Nov 17 2010, 01:25 AM
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#1
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Racer from Birth Group: Members Posts: 118,603 Joined: 2-February 04 From: Tampa,FL Member No.: 1,623 Region Association: South East States |
Most people know about the Watkins Glen Race Track where the US F-1 Grand Prix was held and where the NASCAR boys hold one of their two road course races every year, but very few know about the Original Circuit. The Original Circuit was used from 1948 - 1952, started in Downtown Watkins Glen and wound through the surrounding hills on public roads for 6.6 Miles.
Ride with me on the Original Circuit. I also should be on the Do Not Rent TO list at every Rental car company as I buried the speedometer 4 or 5 times on this lap (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYTjsBh9494 |
rick 918-S |
Nov 17 2010, 07:46 AM
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#2
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Hey nice rack! -Celette Group: Members Posts: 20,457 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Now in Superior WI Member No.: 43 Region Association: Northstar Region |
Cool (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
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Rleog |
Nov 17 2010, 07:54 AM
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#3
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 608 Joined: 12-October 03 From: Middleton, MA Member No.: 1,239 Region Association: North East States |
Cool, T.C. Thanks for the reference. I'll take the loop next time I go to The Glen. The roadway section from the first stop sign to the RR tracks probably looked like it did when it was raced upon.
When you first noticed that GM (?) car setting on the left shoulder, did you shit your pants? (Radar!) Nice loop. Very little traffic. |
carr914 |
Nov 17 2010, 08:41 AM
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#4
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Racer from Birth Group: Members Posts: 118,603 Joined: 2-February 04 From: Tampa,FL Member No.: 1,623 Region Association: South East States |
Cool, T.C. Thanks for the reference. I'll take the loop next time I go to The Glen. The roadway section from the first stop sign to the RR tracks probably looked like it did when it was raced upon. When you first noticed that GM (?) car setting on the left shoulder, did you shit your pants? (Radar!) Nice loop. Very little traffic. The Circuit has a lot of shit your pants areas. The area before the School House Corner was icy ( it had snowed a few days before) and there is a FedEx truck coming towards and he saw that I was drifting. The area around Cornetts Stone Bridge is tricky ( in the 1948 Junior Prix, Denver Cornett flipped his MG into the creek. He rolled it over, borrowed parts and was ready to race in the Grand Prix - he finished 7th). The top of the hill following the Stone Bridge is a very hard left turn that is way off camber. The Railroad straight is basically the same except it is paved now and just a few years ago you could get really airborne - to the South (right side of the car), just beyond the trees is a sheer cliff that drops to bottom of the Glen. Friars Curve & Big Bend are all downhill ( there are are signs for trucks to use Low Gear) Yes I thought that might have been a Cop, but damn I was doing a Buck-Thirty at that point. Millken's Corner coming back into downtown is a sharp left and I have no idea how the cars of that era ever got slowed down for it. In 1948 William Milliken over-turned his Bugatti here, he crawled out and the crowd went Nuts. Bill is still alive, 97 Years young, lives in Niagara Falls and drives down to Watkins Glen a few times a year. The races were stopped after 1952 as there spectators killed when a car went through some hay bales. Before you take a Lap of the Original, a must see is the International Motor Racing Research Center. It is located at 610 S Decatur St. It is a walk through history and they have free maps of the Original Circuit After your lap, Stop for a bite at Mr Chicken, where it's Chicken, Chicken, Chicken all the time. Watkins Glen would be a Great Place for a Northeast Ramble - Great back roads, great history, lots of other things to do - Seneca Lake is right there (one of the deepest lakes in the country, over 600 feet deep), lots of Wineries in the area, Antiques shops, etc |
Cupomeat |
Nov 17 2010, 09:19 AM
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#5
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missing my NY 914 in VA Group: Members Posts: 1,336 Joined: 26-November 07 From: Oakton VA Member No.: 8,376 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
I completely agree that it would be a perfect location for a GTG!
I go to WG at least once a year for DE events at the track and I LOVE the area... not sure about Mr. Chicken, he has a bad rap for keeping you in WG one day longer... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/barf.gif) |
carr914 |
Nov 17 2010, 09:26 AM
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#6
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Racer from Birth Group: Members Posts: 118,603 Joined: 2-February 04 From: Tampa,FL Member No.: 1,623 Region Association: South East States |
not sure about Mr. Chicken, he has a bad rap for keeping you in WG one day longer... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/barf.gif) I never got sick @ Mr Chicken, but I do like Curly's Chicken House better. And if you are down in Elmira and want one of the best Hot Dogs on the Planet, go to M&M's Red Hots mmm (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chowtime.gif) |
Cupomeat |
Nov 17 2010, 09:40 AM
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#7
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missing my NY 914 in VA Group: Members Posts: 1,336 Joined: 26-November 07 From: Oakton VA Member No.: 8,376 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
not sure about Mr. Chicken, he has a bad rap for keeping you in WG one day longer... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/barf.gif) I never got sick @ Mr Chicken, but I do like Curly's Chicken House better. And if you are down in Elmira and want one of the best Hot Dogs on the Planet, go to M&M's Red Hots mmm (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chowtime.gif) Thanks for the tip on the Hot dog place. I've eaten at Mr. Chicken, and been fine as well. I particularly liked the "Crooked Rooster" pub, great staff, food and drinks! |
Cap'n Krusty |
Nov 17 2010, 10:06 AM
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#8
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Cap'n Krusty Group: Members Posts: 10,794 Joined: 24-June 04 From: Santa Maria, CA Member No.: 2,246 Region Association: Central California |
not sure about Mr. Chicken, he has a bad rap for keeping you in WG one day longer... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/barf.gif) I never got sick @ Mr Chicken, but I do like Curly's Chicken House better. And if you are down in Elmira and want one of the best Hot Dogs on the Planet, go to M&M's Red Hots mmm (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chowtime.gif) "I never got sick @ Mr Chicken". Oh, THERE'S a backhanded compliment if ever I saw one! The Cap'n |
MDG |
Nov 17 2010, 05:19 PM
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#9
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Wolf in wolf's clothing. Group: Members Posts: 8,652 Joined: 3-February 09 From: Toronto Member No.: 10,018 Region Association: None |
Watkins Glen would be a Great Place for a Northeast Ramble - Great back roads, great history, lots of other things to do - Seneca Lake is right there (one of the deepest lakes in the country, over 600 feet deep), lots of Wineries in the area, Antiques shops, etc 100% Great scenery, fantastic people and tons of twisty roads. as far as Mr. Chicken goes, govern yourself accordingly. |
Spoke |
Nov 17 2010, 06:50 PM
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#10
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Jerry Group: Members Posts: 6,978 Joined: 29-October 04 From: Allentown, PA Member No.: 3,031 Region Association: None |
Great lap. I switched back and forth between your map and video to keep track of where you were.
If I assume correctly, you did this at speed with one hand holding the camera. Quite impressive. I wonder how many people go there and run the old course? |
tomeric914 |
Nov 17 2010, 07:04 PM
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#11
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One Lap of America in a 914! Group: Members Posts: 1,259 Joined: 25-May 08 From: Syracuse, NY Member No.: 9,101 Region Association: North East States |
I particularly liked the "Crooked Rooster" pub, great staff, food and drinks! Shameless plug if I ever saw one. Conveniently located right next to the Watkins Glen Police Station. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drunk.gif) |
ChrisFoley |
Nov 17 2010, 09:01 PM
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#12
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I am Tangerine Racing Group: Members Posts: 7,925 Joined: 29-January 03 From: Bolton, CT Member No.: 209 Region Association: None |
Watkins Glen would be a Great Place for a Northeast Ramble - I'll bring my race car if there's a track day. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I'd like a chance to get into the teens on the long course. (under 2:20) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) |
carr914 |
Nov 18 2010, 06:16 AM
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#13
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Racer from Birth Group: Members Posts: 118,603 Joined: 2-February 04 From: Tampa,FL Member No.: 1,623 Region Association: South East States |
If I assume correctly, you did this at speed with one hand holding the camera. Quite impressive. Yes, Left hand on the wheel, camera in my Right (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) I would never do it if I didn't know the course very well. But everytime I go home I do a few laps and I have a photographic memory. |
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