Auto Racing

The 6.6 mile Grand Prix road course started as an idea and a dream for Cameron Argetsinger and several other Schuyler County residents.  That dream became a reality on October 2, 1948 when the green flag was dropped for the first Grand Prix. This race was also the first road race in the United States after World War II. This has given Watkins Glen the unofficial title as "The Home of American Road Racing."

Racing was held in the village streets and country roads of Watkins Glen for five years until a car unfortunately ended up in the crowd and injured spectators and killed a 7-year old boy in 1952. 

Once this unfortunate tragedy happened, racing in the village streets came to an end. The competition racing was then moved to a temporary course in 1953 and then to a permanent course in 1956. Several years and races, including Formula 1 racing, later the permanent track received renovations and a new name in 1984, becoming Watkins Glen International.

Interested in learning more about the history of racing in Schuyler County? The International Motor Racing Research Center is the one stop you will want to make.  Located at 610 S. Decatur Street in the Village of Watkins Glen, the Research Center has everything to steer you in the right direction.  For an online look, check out www.racingarchives.org.

Don't forget to come and enjoy the local celebration honoring our racing history - The Grand Prix Festival.  For more information about the festival, visit: www.grandprixfestival.com