Watkins Glen... again! June 2005

[xr4racing]

You're no doubt aware that a number of our Merkur Club members are rather avid on-track enthusiasts. Road race tracks that is! Their participation in the annual Watkins Glen International (WGI) event each August, which is sponsored by Phoenix CMR, is well publicized on our Glen Page.

This year Phoenix CMR has a second set of dates, June 6th and 7th 2005, immediately following our Merkur 20th Anniversary Celebration at Carlisle. For our avid track enthusiasts the idea of hitting both events in one trip was just too good to pass up. This is especially true for those who travel long distances.

Such events have limited space and are commonly filled by invitation only. Those who have regularly supported the event in the past are given the opportunity to register first. That includes our Merkur club regulars...10 of whom have said they'll be there! These events are seldom available for last minute entries. Those that do get the advance invitation that want to attend get their registration form mailed in immediately.

In conjunction with our Merkur 20th Anniversary event Phoenix CMR has made available a limited number of additional slots to our Merkur Club members! Those slots are intended for XR4Ti’s and Scorpios and will only be available for a short time. Space may or may not be available after those slots are filled. Club members driving other makes are free to register directly with Phoenix CMR on a 'space available' basis.

The event is open to drivers of all skill levels. It is very ‘instructional’ in it’s format for those that have little or no on-track experience and includes mandatory classroom sessions and one-on-one instructors. This is not a competitive event. Safety is of the utmost importance.

To participate in this type of on-track event is not inexpensive… unless you consider that you get 2 days of driving school at one of the most famous professional road race circuits in the world!! Refer to the Merkurs at the Glen page for further information.

Phoenix CMR and Watkins Glen International have sole management and control of the Glen Event. Registration to participate on-track will be directly with Phoenix CMR.

The WGI facility is not open to the public! Pre-registration is required to attend this event!

Guests:
Normally only pre-registered on-track participants are allowed to bring 'guests' according to the Phoenix CMR and WGI guidelines. That would be just to bring their pit crew, or a couple of buddies, girlfriend, or family. ‘Participant guest' lists are normally submitted with the on-track registration.

For this event Phoenix CMR will allow a limited number of additional Merkur Club members to visit that pre-register prior to arrival at WGI as ‘Merkur Club guests’. This provision would be for club members that would like to come into the event to see what it's all about that may have an interest in participating on-track in the future, or just to join your club's on-track enthusiasts.

There is no admission charge for Merkur Club guests!!

Keep in mind that Phoenix CMR has rented the WGI facility and there is normally very restricted access for anyone other than registered on-track participants. This offer is an extension of hospitality by Phoenix CMR to our Merkur Club members in light of our Merkur 20th Anniversary Celebration at Carlisle. Once inside the facility there are strict guidelines which must be followed. Children are allowed (but not preferred) and must be accompanied by a parent at all times. No pets allowed. Further instructions will be provided.

Names of ‘all’ guests must be on the list at the WGI gate to enter the facility… including the club member, their wife or significant other, their children, or friends in the car with them. Contact me if you'd like to pre-register as a Merkur Club guest.

Note: If you (or anyone) arrive without being pre-registered (on the guest list at the gate) you will not get in.

Parade laps:
Watkins Glen International offers everyone the opportunity to tour the track… commonly referred to as ‘parade’ laps. At around noon each day cars are led around the track for 3 laps at freeway speeds. All cars, licensed drivers, and guests can participate! The fee is $25.00 and paid on the spot. Normal freeway laws apply: no helmet is needed, seat belt required for each passenger, appropriate child safety seats, etc.

All guests are welcome to participate in the parade laps, and join us for dinner at the 'Glen Club’!!

All participants and guests will be required to sign the Watkins Glen International and Phoenix CMR waivers prior to entry or participation in the event.

Space is limited for both track participation and guest attendance. All participation is by pre-registration only. Please bear in mind, the Merkur Club of America is not directly organizing this event, we are merely facilitating the invitation of Merkur owners to participate. Phoenix CMR and Watkins Glen International have final control and responsibility for all elements of the event. However, your car and your safety is YOUR responsibility.

If you would like to register ‘on-track’ or as a ‘Merkur Club guest’ contact me by phone or e-mail.

Peter Cipolla
816-444-0191 res
816-801-3731 ofc
petercipolla@sbcglobal.net

[xr4racing]

For those that are new to this type of on-track activity be aware that there may be an initial investment in money and time involved in advance preparation… in addition to the entry fee, food, fuel, lodging expenses, etc.

A good helmet is required. The helmet will be inspected as well as certain things on the car during ‘tech inspection’. The helmet must have an official Snell SA 95 (as in 1995) label inside or SA 00 (2000). ‘M’ rated helmets are accepted for this event but not recommended. There are no helmets to borrow at the track.

Here’s a partial list of what is normally expected and checked:
• Seat belts must be in excellent condition and properly mounted.
• Tires must be in good condition with minimum 3/32â€

[fastmaul]

Nice I hope to have my car ready to do one of these events!!!

[John Brennan]

Wow, I sure would love to participate in something like this (probably can out here, but need a LOT more prep $$$ for the car before I could!), which I will always maintain is the best use of the XR in motorsport.

[Dave Weiner]

This is NOT racing. It is an instructional with classroom sessions that must be attended. If you try to race you will be told to leave with no refund. You will learn how to properly control your car at speed. You will be passed and you will pass others, some in lesser cars some more exotic. It doesn't really matter as its about improving your own skills.

Keep in mind that doing any type of track event is not in-expensive. If you have a well maintained car and a good helmet you still will spend somewhere between $ 700 - 1,000 getting to, doing the two-day session, and going home. You must have new brake fluid or you can not go on the track.

You will be sorted by driver skill level and not type of car. Thus all types of cars will be in the beginners group. All newbies will be assigned an instructor. It generally takes 3-4 days (yep attending 2 times) before being cleared for solo. So don't set a false expectation for yourselves.

If you decide this event is for you great. Register and read the package that will be sent to you and complete every form and comply with every request. The organizers have been doing this for 15 years and know what they are doing. They make exceptions for no one. Thus if you are told you need a copy of license, have a copy made in advance. There are no copying machines at the track. They take this very seriously because of the inherent danger if some one becomes foolish.

Enjoy!


Dave Weiner
Corvette Z06

[ztee24]

Looks like a lot of fun, even if is not racing. Cool!

[George R. Schults, Jr.]

Here we go Dave !!! Yellow cars won't be the only thing visable at the June Sessions at The Glen this year. Lots of YELLOW Flags all the time all around the circuit !!!!! MERKUR Silver Ahead !!! If we are lucky !!! Could be a YELLOW flag with a RED square !!!!! S---T Fluid on the track !!!!! Dam !!! There must be an XR in front of me !!!! Later, BBBB

This is NOT racing. It is an instructional with classroom sessions that must be attended. If you try to race you will be told to leave with no refund. You will learn how to properly control your car at speed. You will be passed and you will pass others, some in lesser cars some more exotic. It doesn't really matter as its about improving your own skills.

Keep in mind that doing any type of track event is not in-expensive. If you have a well maintained car and a good helmet you still will spend somewhere between $ 700 - 1,000 getting to, doing the two-day session, and going home. You must have new brake fluid or you can not go on the track.

You will be sorted by driver skill level and not type of car. Thus all types of cars will be in the beginners group. All newbies will be assigned an instructor. It generally takes 3-4 days (yep attending 2 times) before being cleared for solo. So don't set a false expectation for yourselves.

If you decide this event is for you great. Register and read the package that will be sent to you and complete every form and comply with every request. The organizers have been doing this for 15 years and know what they are doing. They make exceptions for no one. Thus if you are told you need a copy of license, have a copy made in advance. There are no copying machines at the track. They take this very seriously because of the inherent danger if some one becomes foolish.

Enjoy!


Dave Weiner
Corvette Z06

[xr4racing]

Greetings again,

We've got a good size Merkur Club group signed up for this Watkins Glen event immediately following Carlisle. Everything from dedicated track prepared cars to street cars. Twelve of us so far!!

The latest addition to our track gang is Peter Denbigh! Great Peter! Glad you'll be joining us!! The current list of Merkur on-track participants can be found on the clubs 'Glen page'.

We've taken over one end of the garages at WGI for our Merkurs at the Glen event! The garage itself holds about 50 cars. There's only a few bays remaining that will likely be gone shortly to other (non Merkur) participants unless I hear pretty quickly from any more Merkur guys that want in.

The event is still open for additional sign-ups. There may not be a garage bay available later but there's plenty of perfect asphalt like 15 feet from our garage spaces. We certainly hope we'll get at least a few more Merkurs to join us! The event can handle about 90 cars total.

Be aware that the discounted 'early' registration ends 15 April and the price goes up 50 bucks after that, if any space is available.

We've got our own block of room at the Seneca Lodge and we're planning on Monday evening dinner at the Glen Club at the track. I thought the food was really good last August, and the view overlooking the track is great!

Even if you're not registering 'on-track' you're welcome to join us as 'Merkur Club guests' at the track and the dinner. Either way you must be pre-registered to attend this event! The dinner is $26.95 per person.

There is no admission fee for guests!

The number of 'Merkur Club guests' is also limited by the organizer Phoenix CMR and the WGI management. If you already know you'd like to join us let me know as waiting till Carlisle to tell us may be too late.

This is your best opportunity to join your clubs road course enthusiasts. Check out the attendee list and you'll see you don't want to miss it. And by the way, Chris Carvers gorgeous fully Cosworth trimmed and track prepared car won't be at Carlisle... but he'll be at the Glen!

What better way to top off the Merkur 20th Anniversary weekend!

Again, you will not be able to get into the Watkins Glen facility without being pre-registered.

Let me know of any questions.

Peter Cipolla
816-444-0191 res
816-801-3731 ofc
petercipolla@sbcglobal.net