Watkins Glen gets ready for six-hour race

WATKINS GLEN--Watkins Glen International will host a variety of sportscar racing events June 28 to July 1 at the racetrack.
The Sahlen's weekend includes the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Continental Tire Sportscar Challenge, Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Series and the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama.
The weekend's main event, the six-hour race, will begin Sunday, July 1 at 9:45 a.m. Three classes of cars will run simultaneously during the time, including Prototypes, GT Le Mans and GT Daytona. A pre-race fan walk will be available in the pits before the track goes hot, Sunday. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to take in some added patriotic pageantry when the 198th Army Band performs the Star Spangled Banner from victory lane, prior to the race. The Rochester-based band is made up of 28 soldiers, the majority of which are music majors or are professionally tied to the music industry (bands, education, drum corps, etc.).
Finally, the firing of a howitzer cannon, compliments of the U.S. Army, will coincide with the drop of the green flag to start the race.
Throughout the weekend there are also other races for the various series competing. Friday, June 29 features the first race for the GT3 Cup cars (1:45 p.m.) and the Lamborghinis (4:10 p.m.). Friday also includes the annual hot dog eating contest on the stage at 6 p.m. followed by a concert.
Saturday will have three races. The Cup cars and Lamborghinis will hold their second races at 9:20 a.m. and 10:25 a.m., respectively. The Continental cars will compete in a four-hour race at 1:55 p.m. There will also be fireworks to cap off Saturday night.
In addition to the races, there are various practice and qualifying sessions throughout the weekend totaling nearly 24 hours of on-track action.
In coinciding with Independence Day celebrations, The Glen is offering complimentary tickets to active duty military personnel as well as veterans of the United States Armed Forces Sunday, July 1 for the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen race. Guests who bring their military identification to gate four(a), gate five, or the ticket office from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday will receive two tickets. Guests should enter the facility from lots three and five to participate.
The Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen is also the third round of the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup circuit, a separate championship tour inside of the regular IMSA season.
For more information or to purchase your tickets, visit www.theglen.com or call 1-866-461-RACE.