Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen boasts packed, fan-centric schedule

When the stars and the cars of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship roll into Watkins Glen International for the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen, June 28-July 1, they won't be alone.

Along with the world’s premier sportscar series will come a paddock loaded with talent from the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, and Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America.

New for 2018, Saturday’s Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge race has been doubled in length, from two to four hours, or 240 minutes, paving the way for a new race name: The Continental Tire 240.  

As has become the norm for Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen weekend, the action doesn’t stop on the racetrack. 

When the engines go silent on Friday evening, all attention will turn to the infield stage, where the annual Sahlen’s Hot Dog Eating contest will take place, pitting fans against each other for competitive eating glory at the historic road course. Sign-ups will commence at the stage prior to the contest, with split adult and kids competitions.

Horseheads, New York-based Guilty Pleasure Band will open the Friday night concert at the stage once the Sahlen’s hot dogs have been devoured, bringing their strong mix of musical diversity and well-known covers to The Glen. Small Town Shade, a country quintet out of Cortland, New York will close out the night’s entertainment with dueling lead vocals, driving guitars, and an infectious rhythm section. The band has opened for the likes of Old Dominion, Frankie Ballard, Tyler Farr, Granger Smith, Parmalee, and more, and will release a new album this summer.

Fans are encouraged to stick around on Saturday evening, for a fireworks display scheduled for dusk, lighting up the skies over the twists and turns of Watkins Glen International and all of those gathered below.

The weekend culminates with Sunday’s Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race, but not before an opportunity to get up-close and personal on the grid, with a pre-race fan walk open to all ticketholders. More information on the weekend schedule, including additional fan walk opportunities, and driver autograph sessions, is forthcoming.

“There isn’t an event on The Glen’s annual schedule that is more family-friendly than Sahlen’s Six Hours,” Watkins Glen International President Michael Printup said. “From the accessibility of the drivers during the autograph sessions, the ability to get right up to the cars on the fan walk, and the overall atmosphere of the weekend, this has become a marquee event on the calendars of both our fans and for fans of sportscar racing around the world.”

The Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen headlines a weekend full of sportscar racing action at Watkins Glen International, June 28-July 1, 2018. For more information or to purchase tickets, fans can visit www.theglen.com or call 1-866-461-RACE. 

Glamping brings new experience to The Glen's NASCAR, Wine Festival fans

When one thinks of Watkins Glen International, hundreds of associated terms can come flooding to the mind. Legendary, fast, summer, destination, and party are just five of them, and it’s understandable if "glamping" didn’t find a place among them.

Until now.

Last month, The Glen unveiled its newest addition to the best fan experience in motorsports with a new Glamping (or luxury camping) area set to debut during the Finger Lakes Wine Festival presented by Yancey’s Fancy and Go Bowling at The Glen event weekends. Simply put, Glamping is a way to experience traditional camping without having to “rough it”… that’s right, leave your tent poles at home.

Inside a comfortable 12’ x 14’ safari-style tent, glampers will find bed(s)/cots with linens, blankets, and pillows, side tables, chairs, lanterns, rug, and even a battery pack for charging electronics. Even better, a communal executive restroom will be placed in the area, only for use of glamping customers. The tents will be located together in a quiet wooded area behind the Riesbeck Grandstand, less than 200 feet away from the pedestrian bridge in Turn 11 – just far enough away from the hustle and bustle of other camping areas, but still in a location convenient to the track and other amenities.

“We are always looking for ways to enhance the fan experience,” said Watkins Glen International President Michael Printup. “When the opportunity came about to take a look at this Glamping area, and something new we could offer up to our fans, we jumped at it. It’s a great way to take in the natural beauty of this area in an open-air environment, along with some of the comforts that we’d all like to have while camping.”

Upon the roll-out of the new package in early January, top drivers and motorsports personalities were among those to praise, and purchase, Glamping at The Glen:
-Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski, “Very cool. Nice work!” and retired driver/NBC Sports personality Dale Earnhardt Jr., “Every track needs this! Looks like a blast!” each offered up their approval on social media.
-“I reserved mine today. This is a GENIUS idea!” said Max Papis, who frequently competes during Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race weekends at WGI, and serves as a steward to the Verizon IndyCar Series.
-NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Daniel Hemric agreed, noting “This is one of the coolest things I’ve seen in a long time! Way to think outside the box.”

Glamping packages come as one queen bed, two twin beds, or four cots.

PURCHASE Glamping packages for Finger Lakes Wine Festival pres. by Yancey's Fancy New York's Artisan Cheese

PURCHASE Glamping packages for Go Bowling at The Glen NASCAR weekend