11 Turns- Part 2

The Village of Watkins Glen beckons you to walk the downtown district and enjoy the feelin of being in another time when life was slower paced and simpler. WHAT? Slower? After all, this is the Birthplace of American Road Racing. Yes - slow down. Look down. History is under your feet. Racing greats walked these streets. Many still do when they come to visit, to race, to celebrate their heritage. One makes Watkins Glen his home.

Vic Franzese, Owner of Glen Motor Inn, has a treasure trove of memories and memorabilia relating to racing.  The Franzese Family are long time Watkins Glen residents. Vic is quoted as saying "My Grandfather chose this land, my father began this business, and my family and I want to continue the tradition". The Glen Motor Inn was once the Lake Breeze Cabins, then Glen Motor Court.
There is a long connection between GMI and the racing heritage in the Glen. Just visit the lobby of GMI to see the famous photo gallery. Derek Bell, raced in his first Formula 1 race in 1968. He said "The Glen Motor Inn was a major part of the US Grand Prix, and whenever I come to the Glen I want to stay there. Every Grand Prix driver used to stay in that hotel. It's a Watkins Glen tradition." Hurley Haywood stays in the same room at GMI since his first stay in 1969.
Vic loves to share his stories about the Glen history. He enjoys going to his famous gallery and telling you what people were really like. He recalls conversations and meetings with all the greats. What he doesn't talk about so much is his own racing career. Vic's name is written in those racing history notes.

There is a particular picture that hangs in the lobby. It's called October Heroes, by Roger Warrick. Without the permission to copy the picture here, I am including a link. You will see Watkins Glen Royalty. Click Here And right in the middle... yep- that's Vic.
Stop in, say hello, (Vic's bride Linda will be the first to greet you). Stay a while. Have dinner at the Montage Italian Grill. Stop into the Victory Lane Lounge. Never know who you might run into...



11 Turns- Part 1

Watkins Glen...
To many people in the US, when you say the name Watkins Glen, what do they think? A few know it's in New York State. A few know it's in the Finger Lakes area. A few might know it's in the beauty of rich wine country. Most just think Racing! But even those usually don't know that Watkins Glen is the Birthplace of American Road Racing!
Driving a pre-war Alfa Romeo, Frank Griswold won the first race in Watkins Glen on October 2, 1948. Since that date, Watkins has become a destination for motor enthusiasts and the stars of international racing.

A few months ago, I stood in front of the Start/Finish Line, in front of the Schuyler County Court House. I tried to picture what those early days were like. I wanted to take that 6.6 mile sentimental journey around the towns perimeter. Luckily for me, my guide has a name well known in Watkins Glen racing history - Franzese.

Leaving the Start/Finish, we passed the "White House". Actually, the white house is no longer there, but it was an homage to the Le Mans circuit in France. We passed the Collier Monument, marking the 1950 Grand Prix death of Samuel Collier. Next was School House Corner. I love the story of Cornett's Stone Bridge. In the 1948 Grand Prix, Denver Cornett flipped his MG. With borrowed parts, he repaired his car and finished the race in 7th place. Archy Smith's Corner was named for a local dairy famer. The Railroad Straight was reported to be a favorite with the drivers. During high speeds, they had to cross railroad tracks, causing many drivers to go airborne! Friars Curve marked the beginning of the descent into the village. At Big Bend, the view of Seneca Lake Habour is just breathtaking! Millikens Corner was named for William Milliken from Buffalo. In the 1948 race, he flipped his Bugatti, and walked away unharmed to the applause of the spectators. Then, the Finish Line. (Just a little side note of interest - One of the racers in the 1948 race was Charles Addams. While you might not recognize that as a name in International Racing History, he is known world-wide as the cartoonist who created The Addams Family!)
In 1956, the new track was built a few miles out of town. It started as a 2.3 mile track, but was expanded to 3.4 miles. Since that time, Watkins Glen has hosted Can-Am, Trans Am, Six Hours, Formula 500, CART, Indy Car, BMW Car Club, Porsche Club and many more. For decades, it was the home of the US Grand Prix. The track is famous for it's 11 turns, most notorious of these turns is called The Esses.
Terry Labonte won the 1st Nascar Busch Series race at Watkins Glen in 1991, and took 4 out of 6 races there. Three time winners are Formula 1 Driver Graham Hill, Sports Car drivers Al Holbert and Derek Bell, and Cup Driver Mark Martin. (Can Mark Martin take a 4th win next Sunday?)
As soon as the Nascar race in Pocono ends today, the focus turns to The Glen.
11 Turns...

Part 2- Coming Soon!