Watkins Glen, New York, was the site of the first sportscar road race in the United States after World War II. It was run on the streets of the town and surrounding community, with the courthouse on the main street serving as the start/finish line, on October 2, 1948. This race began sportscar racing in America and holds a special place in history for MG. Eight of the top ten finishers the first year were MGs, the new MGTC, the car that brought the enthusiasm to sportscars.
The first to bring an MGs to the United States, in the 1930s, were the Collier brothers, Sam and Miles. They formed a racing organization and held races at their estate on Long Island. Of course, they were at the first sportscar race following the war, both racing MGTCs. They were placed in class B, for 1500cc - 2000cc engined cars because the 1250cc MG engine in their cars were supercharged, a common race enhancement on MGs. A close look at the #24 car will reveal the supercharger.
Cameron Argetsinger was a young man who wanted a chance to race his MGTC. He convinced the town to hold a race on their streets and negotiated with the railroad to not run their trains during the races since the course crossed the railroad tracks. He accomplished this and promoted a successful race in less than 6 months. The photo at right is Cam in the 1948 race coming through Millikan's corner. It was named so after 1948 when Bill Millikan rolled his Bugatti into the hay bales at this spot.
With the racing history of Watkins Glen, and in particular the MG racing history, racing at Watkins Glen had to be on the calendar for the Moore's MGTF on the 2022 racing schedule.
Racing on the streets ended after the 1952 race when a spectator was killed. It is impossible to have sufficient crowd control on a 6+ mile street course. In 1956, the Watkins Glen Grand Prix was held at a purpose-built race track. This track has hosted Formula 1 races to NASCAR. It remains an important racing venue. The vintage races, organized by SVRA provided the opportunity for the Moores to experience racing history in the current day.
In addition to the regularly scheduled practice and qualifying session, and two races, Watkins Glen also hosts the Collier Cup, a race in honor of the Collier brothers. It is a race that is only open to MGs, held as the last race on Sunday. The weather was not cooperative this year. A light rain fell the entire day, sometimes a bit heavier, always heavy enough to keep the track wet and puddles. A set of mounted rain tires are not usually part of the spare parts carried by vintage racers. Running at speed on a wet track can be quite tricky when on tires designed to be run at high temps on a dry track. The TF did well and the driver kept the car on the track, a feat not accomplished by all competitors.
It was an honor to be a part of the Collier Cup - a chance to celebrate the MG marque and the people who have championed it.
One of the reasons to attend the vintage races at Watkins Glen was the reenactment. The town of Watkins Glen hosts a Grand Prix Festival that weekend to celebrate the founding of the Grand Prix. Tens of thousands of people gather downtown for many activities from a Concours car show to presentations by famed people from auto racing. Late on Friday afternoon, a group of cars gather at the race track for the drive to downtown. Race cars, some without mufflers nor license plates.
As evidenced in the above photo, Bugatti was the featured marque and was given the prestigious position of leading the group on the drive to downtown. As the cars were pulling out of the parking area at the track, Jill captured this shot of the driver enjoying the experience.
Only a short distance from Watkins Glen International, the route was on the old street racing circuit. The posted speed limits were not enforced. They allowed racing cars to be run at speed. The yellow decal on the hood is a Watkins Glen reenactment sticker designating that this car was selected to participate in the event. That is a Jaguar XKE in front of the MGTF.
After the big bend, the cars approach Milliken's corner and the beginning of the crowds of people can be seen. The people lining the streets, yelling and cheering, adds much to the excitement of the reenactment.
Once the cars all reached downtown Watkins Glen, where the original start/finish line is located, the race cars were parked lined up along both sides of the main street. The crowds, which had been cleared from the street, then left the sidewalk and surrounded the cars. For a full hour, the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Festival participants could tour the cars and talk with the owners and drivers. One of the reasons one owns classic cars is to share them with others. What an opportunity.
The streets were cleared of spectators and the cars moved out in single file to run two laps around the original 6.2 mile street course. Without a pace car. They turned over 100 race cars loose on the streets with no pace car setting a reasonable speed. What a blast. What an experience.
People lined much of the circuit. There is a tight corner at The Seneca Lodge, a historic and popular spot during the Festival. People were lined up many deep along the road and sitting on the decks at their lodge room. One couple even had a linen-covered table with wine and cheese so they could sit in front of their home to enjoy the re-enactment. The Watkins Glen experience is unique.
