Calling all Blackwings and V cars to Watkins Glen

[Kawman]

I was at Watkins Glen last weekend with Hooked On Driving and I was the only Cadillac there. Come on guys, we need some representation!

There's another 3 day event at the Glen Oct 10-12. Is there any interest out there?

 

[ukcats12]

I was at Watkins Glen last weekend with Hooked On Driving and I was the only Cadillac there. Come on guys, we need some representation!

There's another 3 day event at the Glen Oct 10-12. Is there any interest out there?

What does this event entail? I’m local-ish-ish and would consider making the drive for the weekend.

 

[Kawman]

You can camp for free in the paddock, or stay in a local hotel. Friday night they'll cook hamburgers and hotdogs and people hang out talking. Saturday night there's a pig roast and a band. Last weekend there was drift cars for passenger rides (the line was a hour and a half long), a huge car show and fireworks.

New drivers would be in A-novice and have an instructor riding with them. Then one gets promoted to A-solo and then on to groups B, C & D as one gets faster. Drivers in B & C groups can take passengers, so you can catch rides with different people in different cars that are way faster than you. It's fun and you see things from a different perspective.

You get 5 - 25 minute driving sessions per day. Everybody is very polite on the track. In groups A, B & C you can only pass when the guy in front of you gives you the signal to pass him. Group A-novice also has classroom time in between driving sessions.

Warning! Once you've been out on a track, it can be addictive.

 

[LastGas]

Agree with @Kawman, if you can find the time you should go! Watkins Glen is the best. Attended with chin last year, I also highly recommend chin for HDPE. Occasionally see blackwings or Vs at track days but it's pretty rare.

 

[Kawman]

It's a very family friendly environment. Babies in strollers, dogs on leashes and kids driving little electric cars around the paddocks. They want you to NOT leave your wives and girlfriends at home. They also want your wives and girlfriends out driving on the track.

 

[BimmerFan]

Warning! Once you've been out on a track, it can be addictive.

Correction: it will be addictive!

Watkins Glen has been on my bucket list for years now...

 

[1BadRS]

What is the cost for an event like this?

 

[BlackwingSwanny23]

I was at Watkins Glen last weekend with Hooked On Driving and I was the only Cadillac there. Come on guys, we need some representation!

There's another 3 day event at the Glen Oct 10-12. Is there any interest out there?

Dude Yes. I'm originally from CT and live in North Jersey. Send ya a PM.

 

[BlackwingSwanny23]

I'm in for October

 

[Kawman]

The annual HOD membership fee, plus 2 track days with an instructor will be around $1K.

I'd suggest being on the track Fri & Sat, catching some passenger rides with others Sunday morning and starting your ride home by noonish.

The instructors don't get paid, but they get to drive there cars without paying the track fee. After they ride with you, they go out in their own cars. Go ride passenger with your instructor a few sessions.

 

[5VBW Nick]

Tempting, I am just over 3 hours from Watkins. Are Audis allowed?

 

[Kawman]

Tempting, I am just over 3 hours from Watkins. Are Audis allowed?

You're close, I'm over 6 hours away. Of course Audis are allowed. The more the merrier.

 

[5VBW Nick]

Maybe I should go, considering my license plate is the Watkins Glen waterfall I just wanted the darkest colored plate I could get in New York.

 

[ArgentWing]

I've done a few track days at Watkins Glen though never in the Cadillac. I'll have to give this some thought.

 

[jodakid69]

I was there with my M2, which is currently my primary HPDE vehicle.

I am definitely going to Watkins on Oct 25-26 with Mass Tuning, and I plan to bring my CT5V-BW.
Some of the Philly V-Club members are going to Watkins on Oct 3-5, so I might be going as well.
I will be going to Road America on Oct 11-12, so I will not be able to attend the HOD Watkins event.

The Cadillac V-Club will be at NJMP on Aug 4th and will be running a Cadillac Only Private Group. You can attend either the HPDE or Cars and Coffee event if you are not a V-Club member - Private Message me for the details.