WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (WENY) -- October 2nd marks the 75th anniversary of motor racing in Watkins Glen, and over the years racing as we know it has evolved along with the village that helped shape it. 75 years ago the first American post-World War II road race took place right in Watkins Glen, since then thousands of people have descended on the Finger Lakes each year for the action.

On October 2nd, 1948, Thousands of spectators and dozens of drivers traveled to Watkins Glen for the rebirth of American road racing. Until 1952, grand prix racing took to the bustling streets and sweeping backroads, carving a unique path of motor racing history.

"The first year, it was not an SCCA event, all races before that were of the Sports Car Club of America," said Bill Green, who serves as the Historian of the International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen, "and of course the rebirth of road racing in the United States was here in 1948, and it was SCCA's first full road race."

Historians at the International Motor Racing Research Center have been preserving texts and artifacts of the town's storied relationship with motor racing. The IMRRC offers thousands of volumes of racing programs, catalogs and reports, that help keep the memories alive.

"Spectators would comeback every year and camp on the farmland, with the farmers and rent all of that," added Green, citing the everlasting buzz and aura of the race's early days. The original 6.6 mile grand prix course was discontinued after the 1952 race when a spectator was killed by debris.  It's hills, dips and features are seldom seen on modern day circuits. 

Green added how each feature and corner has its own unique personality and challenge, "Old Corning Hill, Townsend turn, and White House 'S', the underpass, and the school house corner, down into where halfway around the stone bridge, and Archy Smith's corner, the railroad tracks, and you're back in town."

Though racing of all kinds in Watkins Glen has transitioned to newer digs in WGI, it's road-bound history will live on in earnest. Coming up on November 3rd and 4th the IMRRC will be partnering with the Society of Automotive Historians for a symposium on international motor racing history at Watkins Glen International.