For 2025, we will be returning to Watkins Glen International for a Drive The Glen event. Three paced laps behind the pace car, with a photo op at the end on the Main Straight. We had a good turnout in 2018 and I am anticipating a good turnout this year as well.

We are going to do the trip a bit different this year. Last time we did the tour portion to Watkins Glen, with the track day being the end. This time, we will meet at the track in the morning, do our laps, then take a nice scenic ride home. I don’t have all of the details ironed out yet, but I will update the Calendar and send email flashes as things progress.

Here are other details I have so far.

Date – Saturday October 11th, meeting at the entrance (Gate 2) no LATER than 11:00 AM. We are getting the group rate which is $5 off the regular price of $35, so our cost for the laps is $30. ($33.30 with sales tax) That is per car, not per person.

Please send $33.30 by PayPal or give a check or cash to the Club Treasurer for $33.30 no later than October 4th. You will NOT be able to purchase tickets at the gate.

The Club will send a check to WGI, and your tickets will be waiting for you at the gate when we arrive. There is also an option of buying them online, but it requires you to have a TicketMaster account, or willing to sign up for one. If you would prefer that, let me know and I will send you the details. Waivers will be signed and we will be on the track at 12:00 noon for three laps. Total time of the Track Day will be roughly 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how many pictures we take, etc.

After we complete our time at WGI,  it’s a roughy 70 mile tour back towards home with a stop at Keuka Springs Winery in Penn Yann, followed by dinner at Irish Mafia in Bloomfield to wrap up the day.

Keuka Springs Winery is located on the east shore of the lake, just before the village of Penn Yann. There we can stop for tastings and have a glass of wine on their outdoor patio with a great view of the lake. Tastings are $12.00 per person, and their current wine list can be found here – Keuka Springs Wine Offerings. You can also purchase wine by the glass if you do not want to do a tasting.

I will have the menu choices for Irish Mafia available as soon as they are finalized, along with the final cost per person that will include tax and gratuity. It will be buffet style with at least 4 menu options. Beer purchases will be seperate. You will be able to prepay through PayPal, or I can collect at a meeting or the day of the ride. As we get closer to the event there will be a form posted where you can pay for the laps and dinner at once using a Credit Card or PayPal, just keep in mind that tickets for the laps will not be available at the gate.

Hotel Option – If you do not want to drive early Saturday morning to get to the track by 11, I have coordinated with the Longhouse Lodge Motel to provide rooms for those that wish to get there Friday night. The rooms vary in size and features, but the most expensive room will go about $166 all in. Please make your own hotel reservations as early as possible as it is Columbus Day Weekend and they anticipate the rooms will go fast. They will be offered first come first served, and you can reserve by calling 607 535 2565. Please mention you are with the MG Car Club when calling, and also let me (Mike) know if you are getting a room.

Motel info – https://longhouselodge.com/ Phone 607-535-2565 / Address – 3625 State Route 14 Watkins Glen NY, 14891

After check out in the morning, we will head to the track in time to get there by 10:45.

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