The Glen

[FastJoel31]

Any news on CART going to The Glen next year?

[snakepit27]

Originally posted by FastJoel31
Any news on CART going to The Glen next year?

i heard they where looking @ a CART race, i wanna see one there, but havent heard any news

[gomick]

a glen race would be awesome - the only races i have seen there are the nascar/busch races

[snakepit27]

Originally posted by gomick
a glen race would be awesome - the only races i have seen there are the nascar/busch races

yawn

[SevenGrain]

Interestingly enough, the first CART race I ever attended was at Watkins Glen in 1979. Bobby Unser was the winner.

Back then they used the "short course" which is now the NASCAR track. The IMSA GT support race used the "Grand Prix" or "long course"

If CART goes back to the Glen, they should use the long course as the Watking Glen circuit is under-utilized by NASCAR. The section of the track known as "the boot" was always my favorite place to watch the F-1 races from back in the day.

CART has mentioned the Glen on and off over the past few years, but I believe the problems come in the form of track improvements that CART would like to see, but simply don't have the clout to demand anymore...

[Liz]

From what I understand, the big difficulty with racing at the Glen is that it is unsafe by current standards and it would cost Big Money to bring it up to code. That and the fact that it is in an area without adequate hotels or entertainment, not to mention public roads that limit access, make it less than an A Class venue.

I have been to F1 races there and like the course, but I don't think it's suited to high tech racing.

[gomick]

is the glen any worse though than say a detroit - in safety terms ...

[snakepit27]

Originally posted by Liz
From what I understand, the big difficulty with racing at the Glen is that it is unsafe by current standards and it would cost Big Money to bring it up to code. That and the fact that it is in an area without adequate hotels or entertainment, not to mention public roads that limit access, make it less than an A Class venue.

I have been to F1 races there and like the course, but I don't think it's suited to high tech racing.

how is the glen unsafe??

[FastJoel31]

The Glen is unsafe probably because of the lack of runoff in and around the esses and going down the hill into the boot. But they would be spectacular to watch.

[snakepit27]

Originally posted by FastJoel31
The Glen is unsafe probably because of the lack of runoff in and around the esses and going down the hill into the boot. But they would be spectacular to watch.

oooooo, i forgot to think of runoff areas , DUH

[SevenGrain]

I don't know if "unsafe" describes the Glen. "Antiquated" perhaps is a better word. What CART is looking for is more in the way of run off areas and barriers, as well as improvements in the pit lane.

Watkins Glen a definitely a high speed circuit, and that type of speed always can always carry danger. Anyone that saw the crash that took the life of J.D. McDuffie in the NASCAR race some years back (before the "inner loop" was added) can attest to the tremendous velocity that he hit with. A Champ Car is much lighter and faster than a stock car, so more runoff is required than NASCAR would need.

What CART wants is about 4-6 million dollars in improvements before they'll race there. It's up to ISC to decide if a CART race is worth that. I personally hope they can get together on this, as the Glen is a fantastic place with a lot of racing history.

[snakepit27]

Originally posted by SevenGrain
I don't know if "unsafe" describes the Glen. "Antiquated" perhaps is a better word. What CART is looking for is more in the way of run off areas and barriers, as well as improvements in the pit lane.

Watkins Glen a definitely a high speed circuit, and that type of speed always can always carry danger. Anyone that saw the crash that took the life of J.D. McDuffie in the NASCAR race some years back (before the "inner loop" was added) can attest to the tremendous velocity that he hit with. A Champ Car is much lighter and faster than a stock car, so more runoff is required than NASCAR would need.

What CART wants is about 4-6 million dollars in improvements before they'll race there. It's up to ISC to decide if a CART race is worth that. I personally hope they can get together on this, as the Glen is a fantastic place with a lot of racing history.

plus i think people will show up!

[Jimmyz360]

I think racing at watkins glen would be great...considering nascar goes there and all they do is b*tch about how they actually have to pass eachother and show real driving skills. Im jus not sure if California has CART overkill with many races already

[enemy-ace]

Originally posted by Jimmyz360
Im jus not sure if California has CART overkill with many races already

I think you might be thinking of Sear's Point as Watkin's Glen is in New York. Personally I think CART at the Glen would be phenomenol. As for there not being any hotels or entertainment. I think the CART show would be plenty entertaining and to really appreciate a road course weekend you need to camp on the grounds. There's nothing better than waking up with fresh brewed coffee and the rumble of engines and the smell of brakedust. But that's just me

[KC]

The single largest safety factor is not so much the lack of runoff areas, but is one of the Glen's most historic features. The light blue colored armco fencing around the corners is far to dangerous for an open wheel car to race around. A currently designed open wheel racer would be far to easily forced under the armco in the event of a crash and that would kill a driver. Watkins Glen was the one of the first race tracks to ever incorporate the use of armco fencing and I doubt they would be willing to remove it. It has become a traditional feature of the circuit.

I do think that the race would do exceptionally well there even without the media and sponsor catering hotels and amenities. the race fans would make it a popular stop for CART.