I just signed up for the Allegheny Regions DE at Watkins Glen May 14-16. I've done a few DE's at Mid Ohio & 1 at Gingerman. Any pointers on The Glen. Can't wait.

 

It's my home track and you will love it. It's a long track with some decent elevation changes a couple of long straights. Be sure to listen to your instructors and follow the line they show you. However, try and get an instructor that has a similar car to yours. I got saddled with a guy who had what looked like a formula Ford and he was trying to get me to follow his normal line.

Stay in your comfort zone. Be humble. No one at the track will remember who passed who. If that 914 has a better driver and is riding your ***, let him pass. Blasting away on the straights does you no good if he's right back there again at the next turn. The "Esses" ast the Glen are truly sphincter tightening. You won't be able to do them WOT unless you have track tires, but going uphill in an S curve with a blind approach to the last at close to 100mph can be be bowel loosening/exhilerating.

If you can, see if they are doing a track walk the night before. You will be amazed what you see. In the car some turns look like they have no camber, when in fact they do. Also, be aware of temperatures, the track will probably be a bit cold in the morning so make sure you warm up your tires. Have fun and be safe!

 

Nice Write up! you have me wanting to come up and drive!

 

you're going to have a blast, it's an incredible track. you would do well to listen to S2Drifter's words of caution around the esses.

here's some more info on the track including vids and a turn by turn guide
http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Watkins_Glen

when you're done with the day, cool off with a cold one at the watkins glen harbor hotel bar which overlooks the lake.

 

There is a DVD "Driving the Glen" I think is the name. It is awesome, get it , 10 times better than any instructor ever. Watch it before and after each day. I have been there many times and still watch it before I go. Try to go see the "Gorge" at the state park down town on your time off, beautiful water falls...winery's too. Great track, great town!

 

Googled it, of course, good luck, keep the shinny side up!

 

Thanks for the excellent advice. This is why this forum is so great. I've done a total of seven DE's at Mid Ohio...great track & close by. I was looking for a new experience & this came up with the Allegheny PCA region. I am going with a friend (& spouses) who is an instructor. He is an excellent teacher. We were talking at length last evening & I made the comment that I always get keyed up a day or two before the events. He made the statement that if you don't, you probably don't belong out on the track. I am going to be safe & enjoy the event. I agree wholeheartedly on S4Drifters comments about letting the faster drivers by. I have a very fast car, the only weak point is the driver!
My goal is to have fun, learn some new techniques, see some beautiful new sites & above all else "BE SAFE".

Thanks S4Drifter for the excellent writeup. My friend/instructor has been there several times & says it is a much faster track than Mid Ohio.

 

We went to The Glen this past weekend. What a tremendous time. My wife & I decided to go in a day early to see the sites & visit a couple friends who are instructors & were running on Friday. The finger lakes are breathtaking & the amount of wineries is amazing.
Just a few comments about the track & the facility is that:
1. The track is significantly faster than I was used to & there is no room for "error".
2. I would say the track is more complex than some of the other tracks I've been to, however there is definitely a learning curve to attack the track.
3. The facility is amazing with the garage/paddock area. Definitely much better than my home track of Mid Ohio.

I got some great runs on Saturday. but got a surprise when I went to put the car in the garage for the evening. The CEL popped on. I hooked it up to my durametric software & read an engine misfire on 4/5/6 cylinder & the car ran rough (idled high/low). I decided to call it the weekend. My indie cleaned the MAF & that really make it run about 85% better. He seems to think that the MAF is bad. Any ideas would be appreciated.