Track plans opening weekend

WATKINS GLEN--Watkins Glen International's (WGI) annual opening weekend will have something new to celebrate this year. The track will be cutting the ribbon on its newly repaved racing surface Friday, April 15, officially opening for the 2016 season. Opening Weekend will continue through Saturday and Sunday, April 16 and 17, and include the fuel-efficient display of the Green Grand Prix, a run around the raceway and the chance for visitors to drive their vehicle on the newly paved track.
The $12 million project marks the first time the track has been paved since 1998. Work began following the NASCAR race last August, with last year's race winner Joey Logano being the first to tear up the old pavement with an excavator. Work crews then removed approximately 21,000 tons of material to make room for the new asphalt pavement.
"The most noticeable of our off-season projects aside from the repave itself, [is] we used millings from the on-track project to put a fresh surface down on infield camping and access roads, replacing gravel and weathered asphalt," Public Relations Manager Chris Banker said.
The festivities kick off Friday with the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:15 a.m. Motorsport announcer Bob Varsha will be the master of ceremonies and will be joined by sports car racers Andy Lally and Derek Bell, who share 10 victories at Watkins Glen. There will also be remarks from local and state government officials, as well as Watkins Glen International President Michael Printup.
"It's going to be a celebration," Printup said. "April 15 is the culmination of a lot of hard work by many people."
Following the onstage activities, select Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) cars will take part in a ceremonial "first lap" on the new surface. Watkins Glen International partners and members of the media will then be invited to take part in hot laps around the 3.4-mile circuit, followed by an additional period of SVRA activity from 2 to 3 p.m. Fans are invited to view the on-track festivities free of charge in the Argetsinger and Seneca grandstands by entering through Gate 2 off of County Route 16.
The annual Toyota Green Grand Prix is scheduled to follow Friday's ceremonial events. The grand prix is a showcase of motoring technology that aims for a cleaner environment. There will be a fuel-efficiency competition for pre-registered alternate-fueled vehicles, hybrids, traditional gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles.
Saturday, the Arc of Schuyler is hosting its annual Grand Prix Run, which begins at 8 a.m. The 3.4-mile run has raised over $20,000 since 2014 for the not-for-profit organization that provides support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Participants can register at www.arcgrandprixrun.org.
After the run, fans can take their own cars on the track from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. behind the official Watkins Glen International pace car for $25, with the same opportunity Sunday. Proceeds will go to benefit the R.A.C.E. (Racing and Community Enrichment) Foundation, which works to meet the needs of local underserved populations with a focus on youth-oriented support.