Hundreds of Mustangs and other classic cars will “return to the streets” of Watkins Glen, NY on Friday, September 9, to run in the annual Watkins Glen Grand Prix Festival!
The Grand Prix Festival celebrates the history of post World War II road racing in the United States from 1948-1952. It all began in the Village of Watkins Glen!
Since 1993, the Grand Prix Festival of Watkins Glen, presented by Chemung Canal Trust Company has celebrated the village’s heritage of motor racing. Last year, an estimated 25,000 spectators helped celebrate. As in previous years, a tribute to the Grand Prix races are featured in a variety of events during this all-day Festival. Events include the Walk of Fame award ceremony, a historical lecture called The Legends Speak, a pre-race Tech Inspection at Smalley’s Garage, as well as several rolling events and known as the Stone Bridge Driver Events.
This year, the Festival will feature MUSTANG as the special brand, or marque—and Mustang owners from around the country plan to bring their cars to town to show off their vehicles and join the fun!
The Festival also features a classic and special auto show—the Concours d’Elegance, Presented by Hagerty, designed to display some of the finest and most beautiful cars in the world! Hagerty Insurance is the new sponsor of this show this year; the overall winner of the judged competition will receive the Corning Best In Show award at the Award Ceremonies beginning at 5:00pm.
Franklin Street through the village will be closed from 12 Noon to 8pm on Friday, to allow the Stone Bridge Driver groups to run laps of the 6.6 mile Old Course—the same route used by racers in the 1948-52 competitions. Later in the day, a group of Sportscar Vintage Racing Association race cars will run laps of the Old Course as a tribute to the racers of history!
There is something for everyone at the Grand Prix Festival of Watkins Glen! Parked along the main streets of the village you will find over 600 classic sports cars of all ages and marques for your enjoyment. In addition to live music, wine tasting, food vendors, and other family activities, you’ll find vendors of racing items and related merchandise.
More information can be found at online.
