Watkins Glen, NY (August 27, 2008) – Formula 5000, once one of the premiere racing series’ in the world, will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this year at the U.S. Vintage Grand Prix, September 5-7. This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the first race held on the streets of Watkins Glen, known as “the day they stopped the trains,” on October 2, 1948. The weekend will have special events in honor of F5000, which include a Sunday feature race, former F5000 driver autograph sessions and historic F5000 car appearances all weekend long.
Don’t miss your chance to get up close and personal with some of F5000’s greatest former drivers during several fan autograph sessions throughout the weekend to help celebrate their 40th Anniversary. The first autograph session will take place on Saturday from 1:00PM-2:00PM at the F5000 tent in the SVRA paddock area prior to the F5000 group qualifying race. The second autograph session will take place on Sunday from 10:00AM-11:00AM at the F5000 tent prior to the F5000 feature race for the prestigious New York Governor’s Cup.
Former F5000 drivers that will be present throughout the weekend and during the fan autograph sessions include Tony Adamowicz, the 1969 US F5000 Continental Series Champion; Graham McRae, the 1972 US F5000 Continental Series Champion and 1971-1973 Tasman Series F5000 Champion; Warwick Brown, the 1975 Tasman Series F5000 Champion; and the weekend’s Grand Marshal and special guest for the weekend Brian Redman, the 1974-1976 US F5000 Champion. Redman, one of the most accomplished drivers to compete at the Soul of American Road Racing. His legendary #1 Lola T332-Chevy will be competing in the F5000 feature race on Sunday, September 7.
Brian Redman’s 1976 winning Lola T332 Boraxo car is one of several former championship winning cars that will once again grace the historic road course as they once did during the series’ prime. Other notable cars participating in the weekend’s races include Warwick Brown’s 1974 Lola T332 championship car, Tony Adamowicz’ Eagle F5000 1969 championship car and the 1969 Surtees TS5 driven in 1969 by David Hobbs.
The Formula 5000, or F5000, was a racing series that ran events throughout the world from 1968-1982. It featured some of the nation’s great manufacturers, including McLaren, Eagle, March, Lola, Lotus and Chevron. The series was inspired by the success of the Can-Am and was originally a class within the SCCA Formula A races. Formula 5000 was extremely popular in the early 1970s with some of the biggest names in racing competing, including Mario Andretti, Jody Scheckter, and Brian Redman. However, by 1975, Lola’s domination within the series reduced its appeal to fans.
The U.S. Vintage Grand Prix weekend will have fun for the whole family. Don’t miss the Chemung Canal Trust Co. Antique Auto Show on Saturday, where fans can display their antique cars in friendly competition and take a parade lap around the historic track on Saturday afternoon.
Tickets for the auto show are $70 and include one three-day general admission ticket, vehicle entry into the show, a parade lap, and a special gift. Participating cars must be at least 25 years old and the show is limited to the first 400 entries.
Celebrate 60 years of racing in the village of Watkins Glen during the U.S. Vintage Grand Prix, September 5-7. Tickets are still available! Weekend adult tickets are only $45 and kids ages 12 and under are FREE with the purchase of an adult ticket. Sunday admission is only $30 for adults. 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 Brian Redman. For tickets or more information call 866-461-RACE, or visit our official website at www.TheGlen.com .
Media Contact: Eiron M. Smith // Director of Communications // Watkins Glen International
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