The Watkins Glen Grand Prix Festival will return to village streets Friday, Sept. 11, with a full day of vintage race cars, historic demonstrations and tours of the original road course.
This year’s featured marques are the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird, marking the first time the festival has highlighted both brands. Activities begin at 9:30 a.m., and Franklin Street will be closed between Second and 10th streets from 12:30 to 8 p.m.
Morning events begin at Smalley’s Garage
The day will open with a 9:30 a.m. tech inspection re-enactment at Smalley’s Garage on Franklin Street between 11th and 12th streets. Several Sports Car Vintage Racing Association cars will recreate the inspections conducted by Flossie Smalley during Watkins Glen’s street-racing era.
The program coincides with the 85th anniversary of Smalley’s Garage. Ranay Lynn will portray Smalley while wearing Smalley’s original 80-year-old lab coat, and garage owner Carla Smalley will offer anniversary clothing and souvenirs.
At 11 a.m., the Sawmill Creek Estate Glenkhana will begin in the Watkins Glen State Park parking lot at 10th and Franklin streets. The event is a playful variation on an autocross, combining unusual driving patterns with games.
The Watkins Glen Walk of Fame induction ceremony is scheduled for noon in front of the Schuyler County Courthouse on Franklin Street between Ninth and 10th streets. Stones honoring the new inductees will later be placed in village sidewalks.
Old Course tours fill the afternoon
Stone Bridge Driver groups will begin the Centralus Health Two Laps of the Old Course after Franklin Street closes at 12:30 p.m. The tours start at the original start-finish line in front of the courthouse and follow the road course used from 1948 to 1952.
Organizers emphasized that the laps are not races. The afternoon lineup includes motorcycles from Lane’s Yamaha Motorcycle Rally; Lotus cars from the Lotus Owners of New York; Datsuns from the East Coast Datsun Club; unusual entries in the Community Bank Concorso Speciale; and the featured Camaro and Firebird Tour de Marque.
Nearly 100 pre-1986 cars are expected for the Glenora Run, while more than 90 sports cars will take part in the Ryan William Vineyard Founders Tour alongside Glenkhana entries. More than 70 open-top sports cars are expected for the Diamond on Seneca Sporting Roadster Tour.
Cars entered in the Concours d’Elegance, presented by Lotus of Western New York, will also travel the Old Course. Before their laps, the judged-show entries will be displayed near Watkins Glen State Park along Franklin Street.
Mike and Scott Joy headline Legends program
Festival grand marshals Mike and Scott Joy will appear at “The Legends Speak” at 3 p.m. in Lafayette Park. Mike Joy is the lead race announcer for Fox Sports’ NASCAR coverage and a sports car racer, while Scott Joy has raced cars since age 10.
The pair are expected to arrive after a Trans Am race at Watkins Glen International, bringing their Camaros for display. They will later join other cars from the vintage races at the track for tribute laps of the Old Course.
Sports Car Vintage Racing Association and other vintage race cars are scheduled to arrive on Franklin Street between 4:30 and 4:45 p.m. The vehicles will park along the street from Fourth to Ninth streets.
The Concours d’Elegance awards, including Best in Show, will begin at 4:45 p.m. at the start-finish line stage. A tribute ceremony will follow with several speakers, including Watkins Glen International President Dawn Burlew, before the vintage race cars begin parade laps at 6 p.m.
Restored cars will be displayed at courthouse
Two restored cars will be featured on the Schuyler County Courthouse lawn. One is an International Race of Champions Pontiac Firebird used from 1996 to 2003 and restored to racing condition by owner Bob Boudinot, who will be available to discuss the car.
The other is a restored 1969 Camaro owned by Robert Davis. The car includes a correct L-78 engine and an updated M-22 transmission.
Festival activities will begin a day earlier, on Thursday, Sept. 10, with the Lakewood Vineyards FLX Camaro/Firebird Journey. That event starts with a 10 a.m. car show and display at Lafayette Park, at Fourth and Decatur streets in Watkins Glen.
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