Glenora Wine Cellars U.S. Vintage Grand Prix presented by Welliver, Sept. 6-8
WATKINS GLEN, NY (October 15, 2012) – Watkins Glen International announced the Glenora Wine Cellars U.S. Vintage Grand Prix presented by Welliver will return to The Glen for the next three years. In 2013, the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association event will conclude the Watkins Glen International race season September 6-8.
“It has become a tradition at Watkins Glen International to conclude our race season with this event, honoring our heritage,” Michael Printup, Watkins Glen International president said. “The Glenora Wine Cellars U.S. Vintage Grand Prix presented by Welliver honors our storied past and Friday’s Grand Prix Festival exemplifies the continued support we receive from the Watkins Glen community.”
Traditionally held the second weekend of September, the SVRA event at Watkins Glen International continues to increase in popularity with a variety of historic vehicles competing at a legendary road course. SVRA has been an integral part of The Glen’s schedule for the last 27 years.
SVRA President and Tony Parella CEO stated, “We are extremely proud and excited to continue our partnership with Watkins Glen International in presenting the U.S. Vintage Grand prix through September 2015. This race with its annual Grand Prix Festival and parade laps of the original 6.6 mile road course is the best attended and most popular event on our schedule each year.”
The Mini Cooper is the 2013 featured marque throughout the weekend at Watkins Glen International and during the Grand Prix Festival of Watkins Glen presented by Chemung Canal Trust Company. Produced by the British Motor Company from 1959-2000, the Mini Cooper was the 1995 “Car of the Century” according to Autocar Magazine. Classic & Sports Car Magazine designated the Mini the “Number One Classic Car of All-Time” in 1996 and three years later the Global Automotive Elections Foundation declared it the “European Car of the Century.”
It is the most successful British car ever with over 5.3 million produced. The Mini Cooper has been highlighted in a variety of feature films, including: The Italian Job (1969), The Bourne Identity (2002), Goodbye Pork Pie (1981), Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001), Mr. Bean and The Prisoner.
Tickets for Watkins Glen International’s season will go on sale December 3 and are available at www.TheGlen.com or by calling 866.461.RACE. Gift certificates, tickets, track merchandise and Thunder Road Tours are available at The Shop. The Shop, located at 2 North Franklin Street in Watkins Glen, is open Monday-Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Keep up with The Glen on Facebook and Twitter. Download The Glen’s free mobile app from iTunes Store or Android Marketplace.
About SVRA Founded in 1978, the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (originally called the Southeast Vintage Racing Association) has conducted Vintage Racing events at legendary tracks in the East and Southeast area of the country, including Watkins Glen International, Sebring International Raceway, Virginia International Raceway, and the Mid Ohio Sports Car Course.
Acquired by Texas businessman and Vintage Racer, Tony Parella, in September 2012, the organization has embarked on an aggressive program to bring the sport of Vintage Racing to a new level of professionalism and prominence. Among key elements of this program are; the acquisition of the West Coast Vintage organization, Historic Sportscar Racing–West (HSR-West), the announcement of a set of simplified set of rules enforcement procedures, and an expansion of both its East and West Coast race schedules for 2013. Additionally, the emergence of SVRA as Vintage Racing’s only national organization will give competitors an unrivaled opportunity to experience events on both coasts, as well as Vintage Racing’s first ever National Championship.