Watkins Glen International Joins iRacing

Bedford, MA. November 20, 2008: Located in the rolling hills overlooking Seneca Lake, Watkins Glen International is more than just one of two road-courses for NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series, a favorite circuit for the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series and a stop on the IndyCar® Series schedule; it’s also the ancestral home to American road-racing. On November 26th, a little more than 60 years after sports cars first raced through the streets of this Upstate New York hamlet, the modern-day version of this venue will become available to members of iRacing.com.

Using cutting-edge laser-scanning techniques, iRacing.com has captured every dip and bump of the famed circuit, meaning professionals will be able to log unlimited testing miles and amateurs and fans will have a chance to experience the challenges and nuances of The Glen from behind the wheel, in the most realistic setting possible, short of climbing into a real racecar. iRacing, the world’s leader in motorsport simulations, has licensed more than 40 racing facilities for its membership-based online service, yet vice president of marketing Scott McKee said there was something extra special about adding The Glen.

“More motorsport history has been written at The Glen than most of us can remember,” McKee said. “For almost 20 years it was the home to the United States Grand Prix. Every road-racing car in the current iRacing inventory competes there regularly, as do many of the cars we have coming in the near future, so this is an addition to our list of tracks that will be of great interest to all our members, pros, amateurs and fans.”

“In this modern era, it is great to have a partner that can expose our track to new fans using this compelling simulation technology,” said Craig Rust, president of Watkins Glen International. “We’ve hosted virtually every form of racing at The Glen during our history, and while our fans love being at the track, very few of them have ever had the chance to actually drive it. This is very different from watching in-car footage; now our fans can experience the twist-and-turns of our storied road course first-hand in a virtual world.”