THE GLEN AT A GLANCE - Media Update
THE GLEN AT A GLANCE Watkins Glen International Media Update Week of October 23, 2006 This news bulletin includes: * Steuben Glass Partnership Announcement * The Corning Museum of Glass Partnership Announcement * Capital Improvements Update * 2007 Tickets and Renewals - November 13th is the deadline Steuben Glass Renews for 2007: Steuben Glass and the legendary road course have renewed their partnership for 2007. This continues a very unique partnership as it brings together the stature of Steuben Glass and the history of Watkins Glen International. Steuben Glass, founded by Frederick Carder in 1903, is considered an American tradition in crystal due its impressive reputation, innovation and longevity in the glassmaking industry. A partnership such as the one between the prestigious glassmaker and historic race track is unique in motorsports. The Glen was one of the first, and continues to be one of the few, race tracks in the United States to receive high-quality, handcrafted trophies from such an esteemed glassmaker. Steuben Glass will continue to provide trophies for two of The Glen's most well-known races; the Seneca Trophy, which is presented to the winner of the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen endurance race and The Riesbeck Cup, the trophy traditionally given to the winner of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup series race at The Glen. The Seneca Trophy is on display at the International Motor Racing Research Center when it is not being used during the Sahlen's Six Hour of The Glen Rolex Sports Car Series race at Watkins Glen International. The Seneca Trophy is a one of a kind Steuben Glass crystal design. A crystal replica of the top portion of the trophy (known as the flag) is presented to the winner of this prestigious sports car series race each year. An image of the trophy can be downloaded from www.TheGlen.com/media. The Corning Museum of Glass Continues Sponsorship until 2009: The Corning Museum of Glass, one of the largest attractions in upstate New York, will return as the supporting sponsor of the Finger Lakes Wine Festival until 2009. The three year agreement extends a very successful partnership that began in 2001. 2006 marked the tenth year that the track has held this prestigious wine festival. Guests sampled wine from 78 wineries, visited 150 vendors and took advantage of pace car rides around the historic 2.45 mile road course used by the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup series. They also enjoyed watching glassmakers create works of art at the museum's Hot Glass Roadshow. The same Roadshow visited Indianapolis during the weeks leading up to the Indy 500 in 2006. Capital Improvements Update: Despite closing for the 2006 season, The Soul of American Road Racing continues to bustle with activity in preparation for 2007 as work on Turns 1, 5 and 6 moves forward. To prepare for the repaving, two layers of binder need to be put down on each turn. The first layer was placed in Turns 1 and 5 just before rain came through the area last week and crews were able to continue their work on drainage areas around the track. The combination of dryer weather and the power of the track's jet dryer allowed for the binding in Turn 6 to be laid this past weekend. The second and final layer of binder is scheduled to be put down in each turn later this week (weather permitting) and the asphalt will soon follow. Two additional projects will also be underway by the month's end at the famed road course. Construction will begin on a new permanent elevator on the back of the FrontStretch Grandstands to reach Race Control located at the top of the grandstand (a temporary elevator was used this past year). The second is the installation of a new alarm system in several buildings around the facility. 2007 Renewals and Tickets: Watkins Glen International is giving their fans the chance to renew their tickets before they go on sale to the general public and to win a ride in an IndyCar two-seater around the historic 3.4 mile road course. Fans that renew before the November 13 deadline will be automatically entered for their chance to win. Those that renew their tickets will also have the option to pay half now and half later using the 50/50 Payment Plan. More information can be found on www.TheGlen.com <http://www.theglen.com/> . Tickets for the entire 2007 Season will go on sale to the general public on December 2. This includes the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen, June 8-10, the IndyCar Series Watkins Glen Grand Prix, July 6-8, and the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series at The Glen, August 9-12. For more information, please contact the Watkins Glen International ticket office at 866-461-RACE or log on to the official website at www.TheGlen.com <http://www.theglen.com/> . -30- WGI Media Contact: Eiron Smith at 607-535-2486, ext. 354 or via e-mail at esmith@theglen.com.