The annual Merkurs at the Glen event will be held August 23-24, 2004 at the Watkins Glen International race circuit in Watkins Glen New York - about 5 hours north-west of New York City in the scenic Finger Lakes region.

This page provides information and links for those attending the event and those wanting to know more.

Dave Ziminski

Click here for pictures of Merkurs at the Glen 2002

What is the Glen Event?

• The event is organized by the Shelby Mustang Club of Rochester and is run for their members and associated organizations.

• It is a well run driving school on one of the world's premier race tracks.

• It is located 250 miles North-West of New York City and 150 miles South-East of Buffalo in the beautiful and scenic Finger Lakes region.  The area is rich in outdoor sports, heritage and well known for its wineries.  Watkins Glen also is home of the International Motor Racing Research Center.

Why Watkins Glen? 

• There are race circuits and drivers schools all over America.  Merkurs have been invited to join the Shelby Mustang event since the late 90s.  The Watkins Glen Course is wide, safe and has all the latest NASCAR safety standards.  These include FIA curbing, safety crews, corner workers and wide, wide run-off areas.

• Bob Austin, the lead instructor, runs a strict school.  There is no tolerance for drivers who break the rules or are driving beyond their capability.  Such drivers are black-flagged and sit out that session.

• Drivers are assigned to a run-groups commensurate to their driving experience.  Run Group 1 are novices, Group 4 are experienced drivers - typically instructors and competitive drivers.  In all run groups, no overtaking is allowed without a 'clear to pass' signal from the car being overtaken.  There is no wheel to wheel driving.

What is the format of the event?

• Drivers typically arrive on Sunday.  A tech-inspection of the car and driver credentials is held at the Seneca lodge on Sunday evening.

• The school starts with an early morning coffee & muffin breakfast at the racetrack on Monday morning.  There is a driver's meeting and drivers are assigned to an instructor.  Novice drivers have a brief classroom session while more experienced drivers have their first session on the track.

• On Monday evening there is an excellent dinner at the 'Glen Club' - overlooking turns 4 & 5 of the track

• Driving continues on Tuesday and the event finishes around 4:30.

  • Two days of driving can be tiring - think about staying over Tuesday night and driving home on Wednesday.

• Most drivers stay at the Seneca Lodge - a convenient and well equipped hotel at the northern edge of the Watkins Glen State Park.

• Can I bring the family?  Of course - the track is convenient to the town and there's plenty to do.  Shopping, walking the Glen state Park, night-time laser light shows, sailing and tour boats on Seneca Lake, Go-Carts, Parasailing, Winery tours, Golf etc.

What sort of cars participate?

• You will be on the track with a wide variety of cars.  Everything from Mustangs, Corvettes, BMWs & Porsches to the more exotic Shelby's, Cobras, Ferraris, and classic American muscle.  Check out the photos.

• Many of us take our stock road cars.  There is some preparation required, but all you need to pass technical inspection is a car which is not leaking any fluids, has a battery firmly secured, operating seat belts, no appreciable steering play and a decent set of tires.

• You are bound to have questions - follow the link at the bottom of this section to the Merkur Forum where you will be able to post your questions and get prompt answers.  Alternatively, email me.

How much will it cost?

• The two day event costs $375 until July 2nd and $425 (if there are any places left) after July 2nd.  The Glen Club Dinner on Monday night is another $25 and the hotel runs around $70/night.  Total expenditure will be around $600.

How do I go about attending?

• Spaces are limited.  Go to the Shelby Mustang Club of Rochester (SMCR) web site and click on the 'Glen Event' link.  Download the registration form and submit it in accordance with the instructions.

• Alternatively, call the event organizer, Joe Quaranto at 585-638-6653

More Questions? Click here for the Watkins Glen Merkur Web Forum
 

Drivers - please email me with any changes, additions and updates.

Links

Garage Assignment plan

Seneca Lodge site plan

Watkins Glen International Web Site

Description of the track and its evolution

Paul's lap of the Glen with gear shifts & speeds

Dave Ziminski's Watkins Glen information & photo page 

MCA video download page
(Download a video from a previous event)

Watkins Glen area tourism

Memories & Photos of Watkins Glen

Watkins Glen State Park

Seneca Grand Prix
Family Fun Center (Karts)

The Circuit

Click for high resolution PDF version

Current Watkins Glen Weather forecast.

Track Flags

Note:  There will be flag drills during the event.
Drivers will be reprimanded if a flag is missed and 
the driver fails to take the appropriate action.

Green
 Track is open. Go, continue

Checkered
Session is over, start cool down lap

Red
Stop, pull to side of track and advance slowly to next flag station and await instructions

Yellow standing
Caution, problem on track, do not pass anyone, usually limited to a section of the course although it could be a full course yellow, again no passing until after a flag station displaying a green flag.
Example: A car has pulled to the side of the track.

Yellow waving
Problem just ahead be extremely careful, no passing (the more agitated the flag workers are waving usually the more serious the problem)
Example: A car has stopped and is blocking part of the track.

Yellow & Red Stripe
Slippery substance, oil, water, anti-freeze, gravel, is on the course, proceed with extreme caution in this area

Blue
Allow car behind to pass at next passing zone.

Black
You are to come into the pits immediately for a "chat"

Black with Red Dot
Also called a meatball, something mechanically is wrong with your car and you need to slow down and come into the pit for evaluation.

Note: This list is for a guide only.  It is up to the lead instructor on the day of the event to specify what flags will be used and the exact definition and actions to be taken by drivers.
 

Click on picture for a larger version and use your browser's 'Back' button to return.

• Car! 

• Copies of driving license

• Completed Tech Inspection form

• Completed medical information form

• Snell 95 approved helmet

• Hotel reservation confirmation card

• Notepad & paper for driver's meeting notes

• Tire pressure gauge

Optional:

• 'Talkabout' FRS radios if available

• 12V Tire Pump for adjusting pressures after a run

• Shoe white/chalk (For testing tire performance)

• Water/Soda

• Sun Lotion

• Stopwatch

• Spares kit

• Camera

• Sunglasses

The NASCAR Sirius at the Glen Event is August 12-15.  Just a week before the Shelby Event.
 

If you have any comments or suggestions about this information page, 
please do not hesitate to contact me.