When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
So as some of you know, my brother is the president of Watkins Glen International. He spearheaded an $11M track re-pave done over the last 8 months. Last Friday, Bob Varsha emceed the official reopening of the track introducing Andy Lally and Derek Bell amongst others. Michael hired BMW to bring a couple M3's to the track and give the guests hot laps. Turn 1 we entered at about 80 mph, by the time we got to the Esses going uphill we were headed towards 100-110. On the back straight just before the chicane we hit 150. The drivers were BMW instructors and mine was a racer as well. Here's the lap, tons of fun.
I told Derek about the time I asked for his autograph at a 6 Hour at the Glen race in the pits. He said "only if you help me celebrate my birthday and have some of my cake with me" which was in the transporter with the team and his friends-so I did. He said he remembered that birthday (he won). Here we are yukking it up a bit.
Opening weekend you can take 3 laps around the track for a $25 donation. That money is given to charities like the Southern Tier Food Bank to help feed the impoverished. This year was a record year for the event started by my brother when he became Prez.
Driving or riding at the Glen is always fun. We had driven around on opening day in May a few times. you don't get to go that fast, but it's fun. The last time i had seen a race there was in 1992 when Jeff Gordon was starting his stock car career.
Your brother has a really cool job. Now we visit the wineries.
Damn! I want to go to the Glen so bad, I turned down an event this past Sunday, I had too many things at home to do, but a bunch of friends went. Oh well, I guess next time!
I told Derek about the time I asked for his autograph at a 6 Hour at the Glen race in the pits. He said "only if you help me celebrate my birthday and have some of my cake with me" which was in the transporter with the team and his friends-so I did. He said he remembered that birthday (he won). Here we are yukking it up a bit.
Opening weekend you can take 3 laps around the track for a $25 donation. That money is given to charities like the Southern Tier Food Bank to help feed the impoverished. This year was a record year for the event started by my brother when he became Prez.
That's such a cool and charity worthy event. I saw Derek Bell at the Ritz Carlton on Amelia Island this year dressed in a suit and tie with a elegant lady by his side. One of friends talked to him at the Concours a few years ago and said he was nice to talk and Bell joked that Ferry Porsche liked him for he was fast, didn't abuse the race cars, and wore a tailor fitted suit. Bell joked that Ickx would often show up wearing a turtleneck for Porsche PR events and Porsche would roll his eyes despite all the wins he had with Porsche.
Love hearing stories like that Legend. He joked about how when he drove Ferrari sportscars, Il Commendatore said to his drivers "no sex for at least a week before a race." Derek said in response, "but there's a race every week!
srika, interesting story: When Microsoft called my brother and said they chose the Glen for the new Forza game, there was only 4 people on his team that knew it counting him. Then MS called and said "we're coming _____, 2015, clear the track." Michael had to tell the local Sheriff that he couldn't have his event at the track that day with no explanation. MS shows up with this huge camera rig that took thousands and thousands of pictures and video clips to use to replicate the track. Again, the warning from MS was if you tell anyone or this gets out, the track gets taken off the game. Well, it's on the game obviously for you gamers' enjoyment. The track was replicated so minutely that my brother said all the marks on the track he uses to line up his apexes were on the game. Now that the track has been re-paved, all those marks are gone and he has to learn the track again. He takes a hopped up Camry with a full roll cage, racing engine, brakes, etc. around the track at his leisure. Talk about a cool job sometimes!
I found this nice pic of Bell, Ickx, their families and Ferry Porsche at LeMans '81. Wonder what Ferry's rules were? 
