# Watkins Glen Track Updates **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [January 19, 2010, 9:34am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/watkins-glen-track-updates/78384 "2010-01-19T09:34:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MPD47](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mpd47/32/7383_2.png) [@MPD47](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MPD47)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2010, 9:34am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/watkins-glen-track-updates/78384/1 "2010-01-19T09:34:24Z")
> Some major changes in several turns will be in place for this year’s racing season at Watkins Glen International. The Glen is undergoing a major renovation project, with changes including the removal of gravel traps and grass, modification of the catch fence, installation of SAFER barriers, and the relocation of guard rails. > The project will be the largest improvement project on the 3.4-mile road course since the installation of new catch fences prior to the first IndyCar Series race at the track in 2005. The renovation project will affect all series that race on the 3.4-mile circuit and include improvements to the inner loop or “bus stop,” Turn 5 (known as Turn 9 of the short-course or the “Carousel”), Turn 10 and Turn 11. > “We make it a point to evaluate our entire facility every year and we identified these areas as needing improvement,” said Michael Printup, president of Watkins Glen International. “The feedback we received from each of the sanctioning bodies was very positive and in agreement with our recommendations. We think the drivers will like what they see when they return here and it should lead to even better on-track action for our fans.” > Officials from Watkins Glen International and its parent company, the International Speedway Corporation, recognized a need for improvements around the road course. Shortly after the conclusion of the 2009 season, officials from WGI, ISC, and North American Testing Co. (NATC) convened to discuss ideas of possible improvements. After an initial list was formed, the track officials met with executives of NASCAR, the Indy Racing League, Grand-Am, and all of the other series that compete on the road course to gather feedback. Based upon those discussions, improvement plans were devised that will be completed prior to the start of the 2010 season. > Along the portion of the course known as the inner loop or “bus stop,” the existing gravel trap will be replaced with a paved run-off area, which will allow more side-by-side racing throughout the tight turns. Additionally, a SAFER barrier will be installed along the interior concrete barrier wall and the existing catch fence system will be removed with a modified version installed. > Turn 5, also known as the “Carousel Turn” will include the removal of the existing grass to pave an extended run-off area and the installment of a rumble strip built to FIA specifications along the track edge of pavement. The existing guard rail system will be modified to install a crash attenuator system, to help absorb the impact when a car makes contact with the wall. > Similarly, the project in Turn 10 will include the removal of a portion of the current gravel trap, which will be replaced with another paved run-off area. Additionally, the current FIA rumble strip will be extended along the track edge of pavement. > Finally, Turn 11 improvements will feature the installation of a SAFER barrier in front of the exterior guide rail system. Additionally, all grass areas between the new SAFER barrier and the track will be paved to help provide better traction when a driver is attempting to bring their car to a stop. > **[article with no caption in the gallery](https://racer.com/2014/03/10/article-with-no-caption-in-the-gallery/)** > > Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmodtempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam,quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut… Some nice little safety upgrades. I’m hoping this means they’ll also repave parts of 10-11 which were starting to get a bit rough and maybe fix the back straight where they didn’t let it cure before Indy car a couple years back. (which effectively tore the pavement off the ground and they’ve “patched” since). ---
**Author:** ![theblue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/theblue/32/5074_2.png) [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2010, 9:40am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/watkins-glen-track-updates/78384/2 "2010-01-19T09:40:40Z")
:tup: the bus stop should now be safer for parade laps. /bad joke. ---
**Author:** ![Onyx\_Z32](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/onyx_z32/32/7581_2.png) [@Onyx\_Z32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Onyx_Z32)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2010, 11:07am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/watkins-glen-track-updates/78384/3 "2010-01-19T11:07:58Z")
Cool. We’ll see what’s done by opening day :tup: ---
**Author:** ![IanK](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/iank/32/5016_2.png) [@IanK](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/IanK)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2010, 12:08pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/watkins-glen-track-updates/78384/4 "2010-01-19T12:08:26Z")
Nice :tup: ---
**Author:** ![Shockwave179](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/shockwave179/32/7496_2.png) [@Shockwave179](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Shockwave179)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2010, 4:58pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/watkins-glen-track-updates/78384/5 "2010-01-19T16:58:48Z")
Getting rid of the gravel traps is probably for the best. So April 25th is opening day eh? ---
**Author:** ![TORQDSS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/torqdss/32/5125_2.png) [@TORQDSS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TORQDSS)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2010, 6:18pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/watkins-glen-track-updates/78384/6 "2010-01-19T18:18:55Z")
sounds like it will be 100x better, good for them. ---
**Author:** ![E.Roy](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/e.roy/32/5073_2.png) [@E.Roy](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/E.Roy)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2010, 6:56pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/watkins-glen-track-updates/78384/7 "2010-01-19T18:56:29Z")
Cool, I hope to drive my first event there this summer like the May 24-25th ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2010, 7:36pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/watkins-glen-track-updates/78384/8 "2010-01-19T19:36:54Z")
ugh. I want to do a track day. ---
**Author:** ![Onyx\_Z32](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/onyx_z32/32/7581_2.png) [@Onyx\_Z32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Onyx_Z32)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2010, 8:07pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/watkins-glen-track-updates/78384/9 "2010-01-19T20:07:38Z")
We’ll be going again on opening day and they let ANYTHING out on track. So if you’re interested in just getting out there and seeing what it’s like, drive out there with us. You can pace lap any car :tup: ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2010, 8:10pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/watkins-glen-track-updates/78384/10 "2010-01-19T20:10:34Z")
hopefully Ill have the 330xi then. date? cost? ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bing/32/7211_2.png) [@bing](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2010, 8:13pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/watkins-glen-track-updates/78384/11 "2010-01-19T20:13:48Z")
> [@theblue](#): > > :tup: the bus stop should now be safer for parade laps. /bad joke. yikes 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Onyx\_Z32](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/onyx_z32/32/7581_2.png) [@Onyx\_Z32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Onyx_Z32)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2010, 8:15pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/watkins-glen-track-updates/78384/12 "2010-01-19T20:15:38Z")
April 25th, and I forget the cost but it’s like $15? I can’t remember exactly. ---
**Author:** ![Coldaccord](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/coldaccord/32/7272_2.png) [@Coldaccord](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Coldaccord)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2010, 9:03pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/watkins-glen-track-updates/78384/13 "2010-01-19T21:03:28Z")
pace lap is so frustrating. i did one like a week after doing a trackday there once, it was heartbreaking ---
**Author:** ![Onyx\_Z32](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/onyx_z32/32/7581_2.png) [@Onyx\_Z32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Onyx_Z32)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2010, 9:05pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/watkins-glen-track-updates/78384/14 "2010-01-19T21:05:57Z")
> [@Coldaccord](#): > > pace lap is so frustrating. i did one like a week after doing a trackday there once, it was heartbreaking You’ve never pace-lapped with us 😉 ---
**Author:** ![E.Roy](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/e.roy/32/5073_2.png) [@E.Roy](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/E.Roy)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 5:48pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/watkins-glen-track-updates/78384/15 "2010-01-20T17:48:54Z")
Please explain Josh, and is OnyxSyndicate planning any track days? ---
**Author:** ![Coldaccord](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/coldaccord/32/7272_2.png) [@Coldaccord](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Coldaccord)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 6:09pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/watkins-glen-track-updates/78384/16 "2010-01-20T18:09:08Z")
likely the same tactic the 20+ that I’ve been on. go slow for a long time so you get a shitload of room, and take a bunch of turns at speed. fun to run 1/4 of a lap, but frustrating nonetheless ---
**Author:** ![SoraNezumi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/soranezumi/32/5057_2.png) [@SoraNezumi](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SoraNezumi)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 10:14pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/watkins-glen-track-updates/78384/17 "2010-01-20T22:14:53Z")
> [@Onyx Z32](#): > > We’ll be going again on opening day and they let ANYTHING out on track. So if you’re interested in just getting out there and seeing what it’s like, drive out there with us. You can pace lap any car :tup: If its on a day I can get away from everything I’ll do it. ---
**Author:** ![Onyx\_Z32](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/onyx_z32/32/7581_2.png) [@Onyx\_Z32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Onyx_Z32)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 6:25am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/watkins-glen-track-updates/78384/18 "2010-01-21T06:25:32Z")
> [@Coldaccord](#): > > likely the same tactic the 20+ that I’ve been on. go slow for a long time so you get a shitload of room, and take a bunch of turns at speed. > > fun to run 1/4 of a lap, but frustrating nonetheless Yep, but during the IRL race we only have 15 or so cars, and that makes it much easier to have fun. That and our pace car driver gives us a bit more speed than usual. It’s usually enough for someone who’s totally new to get out there and say “woah, this is cool. Maybe I’ll try a track day.” Some people commented last year that they wouldn’t have wanted to go any faster. Even on the pace laps a few new people got break fade and noticed things with their cars that would need a bit of correction before a full-on track day. > [@SoraNezumi](#): > > If its on a day I can get away from everything I’ll do it. It’s a Sunday :tup: ---
**Author:** ![Doespike](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/doespike/32/5083_2.png) [@Doespike](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Doespike)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 8:45am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/watkins-glen-track-updates/78384/19 "2010-01-21T08:45:26Z")
Nice :tup: Can’t wait for the season to begin…might get out in May. ---
**Author:** ![Coldaccord](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/coldaccord/32/7272_2.png) [@Coldaccord](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Coldaccord)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 9:19am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/watkins-glen-track-updates/78384/20 "2010-01-21T09:19:27Z")
‘Parade laps: free advertising for superblue.’ [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/watkins-glen-track-updates/78384.md?page=2)