WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (WENY) -- The streets of Watkins Glen are buzzing with excitement as the 31st annual Watkins Glen Grand Prix Festival returns. This year's festival brings vintage cars back to life, celebratings the town's deep connection road racing history. The Festival runs through the weekend, with Friday, Septmeber 6th being the main event.
Earlier this morning, the 2024 Watkins Glen Grand Prix Festival officially kicked off at Smalley's Garage with the traditional tech inspection.
"This is something that they've all they've done back to, dating back to when the vintage cars would run on the old circuit, so every car would have to come here to pass tech inspection before they were given eligibility to race," says Participant Alex Gee.
With all the boxes checked, the cars are now prepared and approved to shine bright tonight. Gee, a local native from Horseheads, and a Formula V driver since 2018, shared how he got hooked on racing after a chance opportunity.
"I brought a 1969 Formula V Lynx B. This car came to us about six weeks ago. We had to tear. Tear it all down. We rebuilt over the last six weeks, put it on track for the first time two weeks ago and I'm excited to drive it. I'm here with two other Formula V's. These are all of the Lynx variant, all late 60s, early 70s and they are the typical vintage Formula V race car," shares Gee.
Car culture in the Watkins Glen DNA, and the town's streets are expected to be packed with racings fans. Watkins Glen Mayor Laurie DeNardo emphasized the excitement this annual event brings to the Southern Tier.
"We do the reenactment of the old course and it takes about 20 minutes for the cars to go around. It's not really a race. The cars are old, as I stated, and yeah, it's really fun. They come zooming down Franklin Street. The roads will be closed from 12 to eight and, as you can see, people are really piling in. It's a great day," says Mayor DeNardo.
This year's event is set to be even more special as it marks the 100th anniversary of the MG Brand. Hundreds of MGs will fill the streets, alongside special MGTD that once competed in the Queen Catherine Cup in Watkins Gken in 1952.
The Grand Prix Festival promises a fun day in some incredible weather, with a spectacular display of racing history. This makes Watkins Glen a must-visit destination for car lovers this weekend.
The vintage cars take the streets at 5 p.m. The downtown road will be closed until 8 p.m. on Friday, September 6th.