THE GLEN CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF CAN-AM AND TRANS-AM

Three-Time IMSA Camel Continental Winner Named Special Guest

 

Watkins Glen, NY (August 18, 2006) - Known as the largest vintage racing
event in America, the Zippo U.S. Vintage Grand Prix will once again take
place this September 8-10  by celebrating the 40th reunion of the
Canadian-American Challenge Cup and the Sports Car Club of America
Trans-Am Sedan Championship together for one great weekend of racing. 

The track will honor the accomplished racing career of Derek Bell who
will also serve as the weekend's special guest and grand marshal of the
coveted New York Governor's Cup on Sunday, September 10th. "I'm
delighted with the honor of being grand marshal," said Bell. "I'd like
to think that I am not at that point in my career yet, but I'll do my
best to fill the role correctly." 

Each year the track takes a trip down memory lane during the last event
of the season to wrap up a great year of racing action. This year's
Zippo U.S. Vintage Grand Prix will once again create a blast from the
past to celebrate the history and heritage that make up the Soul of
American Road Racing. 

The SCCA Trans-Am Sedan Championship debuted in 1966 with the intentions
of showcasing the "Pony Cars" known today as muscle cars and immediately
captured the 'eye' of the American public. The series first came to
Watkins Glen International in 1968 where Mark Donohue won the pole in
Penske's Sunoco Camaro. He was beat that year by Jerry Titus but went on
to win the race the following year in 1969 and again in 1971. 

The Canadian American Challenge Cup, dubbed Can-Am, was considered one
of the most exciting series in motor sports and was a highly anticipated
event at The Glen for over 10 years. Also born in 1966, the series
debuted at The Glen during the Six Hours of The Glen weekend July 12-13,
1969.  Bruce Mclaren took the checkered for the inaugural race and was
joined by teammate Denis Hulme who took second. 

Derek Bell will be the weekend's grand marshal and special guest and
will be participating in a variety of different activities all weekend
long. On Friday, September 8th he will say the official words to start
the race reenactment on the streets of Watkins Glen, NY during the Grand
Prix Festival and will be available all weekend for a series of meet and
greets, autograph sessions and a fan forum at the track. Bell debuted at
The Glen in the 1968 United States Grand Prix and is considered one of
the most popular and accomplished stars of international endurance
racing. He raced three times in the U.S. Grand Prix at The Glen and is a
five-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He won the 1985 and 1986
World Sports Car Championship and has two Formula 2 victories. Now 65,
he is a TV commentator and occasional competitor and remains active in
motor sports. 

This year WGI will honor Bell and the 40th Anniversary of both Can-Am
and Trans-Am as they reunite at The Glen for a weekend tribute rounding
out a great racing season at Watkins Glen International. Weekend adult
tickets are only $45.00 and children ages 6-12 can get in for $5.00.
Sunday admission is only $30.00 for adults. Children 5 and under are
free.  All tickets provide access to the grandstands, the garage and
paddock areas and participation in the autograph sessions, fan forum and
Q&A sessions with Derek Bell. For tickets fans can call 866-461-RACE, or
purchase online at www.racetickets.com <http://www.racetickets.com/> .