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    Driving School: Watkins Glen International

    For 2024, this is now a one-day event. One of our two days planned for the event this year had to be cancelled due to a NASCAR event taking precedence as per our contract. Bummer, right? This event is a big favorite for us and draws the largest crowd every year. We totally understand if you’re feeling a bit let down, but fear not! We’re on the lookout for fun social activities in the Watkins Glen area, turning this into a multi-day adventure that’s totally worth the drive. Also, WGI has sweetened the deal by offering us some extra track time. So, even though it’s now a one-day affair on the track, we promise it’ll be a blast and a fantastic learning opportunity for students. We’re working hard to make sure this event is still one for the books!

    NEQ SOCIAL: SAHLEN’S SIX HOURS OF THE GLEN WITH PADDOCK TOUR  // Saturday Jun 22nd

    One of the most prestigious sportscar races in North America, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship returns in late June with Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen (June 21-23, 2023). The Sixth leg of the Michelin Endurance Challenge features world-class drivers and a diverse range of premier Prototype and GT manufacturers. The weekend of nearly 24 hours of on-track activity also includes the Michelin Pilot Challenge, MX-5 Cup, Porsche Carrera Cup, and Lamborghini Super Trofeo.

    NEQ Paddock Tour Social Event Info

    NEQ will be teaming up with Unitronic and have exclusive access to the JDC Miller Motorsports team paddock where we will engage with the team during a guided Paddock Tour and Driver Meet & Greet, we will also be given a chance to get up close and personal with the Audi RS 3 LMS TCR !!!

    Paddock tour will be Sat 22nd – Time to be confirmed. Sign up to get on the email list.

    NOTE: You must buy your ticket separately for this event  at https://www.theglen.com/events/sahlens-six-hours-of-the-glen/  Registration below is so we know who is coming and can share the Paddock Tour / Meet-up times.
    The purpose of a driving school is quite simple: to improve your driving skills. We conduct the school on a racetrack under the close supervision of experienced and trained instructors. You will learn how to handle and control your vehicle at speeds not normally attained on public roads. This will help to prepare you for emergencies in normal driving. It will also allow you to explore your capabilities as a driver and those of your vehicle in a controlled environment. At no time will you be encouraged to go any faster than is comfortable. All participants will be organized into run groups in accordance with experience, skill, and type of vehicle.

    What you learn on the track depends on your driving skill. Beginners are taught driving style (smoothness, consistency, the ability to read the track), more experienced participants continue to work on consistency, while developing new skills such as trail braking and threshold braking.

    As a beginner, every time you are on the track, you will have an experienced instructor with you in the passenger seat.
    Though you are on a racetrack with other drivers of similar driving skills, it is not a race. Passing in corners is not allowed, and you are not expected to shift at redline, or go screaming through each corner with the tires squealing. Safety of the event is of the utmost importance. Driver conduct will be diligently monitored throughout the day by the staff, instructors, and corner workers.

    Track Time: You will have four on-track sessions each day varying from 20-30 minutes each. At the end of the event you will have had between 1.5 to 2 hours on-track each day. That’s a lot of driving time and a lot of personalized high-quality instruction.

    Do I need to own an Audi?      We welcome all makes of cars  — you don’t have to drive an Audi to enjoy our events.  This school is an excellent way for you to improve your driving skills and have fun too!

    First Time Students:  Our club is a friendly community of individuals who share a passion for driving their cars. We know what it’s like to drive on a race-track for the first time and we customize your experience to make it an enjoyable as possible. We love welcoming first-timers to our events and we have a good number of first-timers at each one – you will not be alone.  Your novice classroom teacher and your personal instructor are ready to make you comfortable and give you the tools and confidence to enjoy driving your car on the race-track.

    Opening Day at Watkins Glen with NEQ and Audi Rochester // Sat, April 15th

    One day each year, everyone is welcome to drive one of the most famous road courses in the world. Join us for an event the entire family can enjoy.
    Have you ever wondered what it’s like to drive on one of the most famous road courses in the world?  Well you don’t have to wonder any more. Join us and drive the Watkins Glen International track with fellow Audi enthusiasts under controlled conditions behind a pace car.  If you are an NEQ track veteran you already know what it’s like to drive the Glen at speed. But what’s it like at street speeds with your family in the car?
    Every year Watkins Glen International (The Glen) holds an opening day fundraiser to kick off the racing season.  The price of admission is a $28, consisting of a donation to the Watkins Glen R.A.C.E Foundation plus a small administrative fee. The mission of R.A.C.E. (Racing And Community Enrichment) is to meet the needs of local underserved populations with a focus on youth-oriented support.
    The day will begin at Audi Rochester on West Henrietta Road for breakfast, courtesy of the dealership.  From there we will make our way to The Glen where we will line up and be escorted via pace car for 3 laps of this world-famous race course.  Upon completing the pace laps on the track, we will rejoin as a group for a catered lunch at the Ginny Lee Café which is part of Wagner Winery. Wagner is located on Rt 414 on the East side of Seneca Lake north of Watkins Glen.
    Enjoy views of the beautiful finger lakes while you have lunch and perhaps sample Wagner’s libations.  After lunch you may continue along the Seneca and Cayuga Wine Trail to the many local wineries, stop by the Women’s Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls or return to the track for more paced laps on your own. Tickets for return laps may be purchased online or at the gate. Or spend time exploring the Watkins Glen area taking in the natural wonders and the shops.

    Costs for this event are the $28 charitable donation to the R.A.C.E Foundation.  Lunch at the Ginny Lee Café is $24 for adults, $10 for kids 12 and under, and future Audi owners 2 and under are free.  Choose any or all of these activities. Audi Rochester is graciously providing breakfast at the dealership for all those who want to start out from there.

    How to Register…
    1.     First sign up for the event at Motorsports Reg for the Audi Rochester breakfast and lunch at the Ginny Lee Café.  MotorsportsReg will also ask you to sign a “Speed waiver” on your phone. Please do so for everyone who will be accompanying you in your car. Multiple people can sign on the same phone

    2.     Prior to the event date, purchase tickets for the track time and print the waivers for The Glen at BUY TICKETS  Use the discount code WGISPECIAL for a reduced club price.

    A little bit about the day…

    7:45 AM  – Meet up at Audi Rochester for a little socializing and a breakfast courtesy of Audi Rochester. (If you are coming from outside the Rochester area or the time is too early on a Saturday, you are welcome to skip the dealership and meet us at the track at 10:30 AM)8:45 – leave for the track, making your own way.  It’s about a 1:40 drive via the NYS Thruway and Rt 14 through Geneva.

    10:30  Arrive at the track via Gate 3 to sign in and drive the track.

    12:15 – 2:00  Lunch at the Ginny Lee Café at Wagner Winery, 9322 Rt 414, Lodi  (30 min from the race track and 20 min from the Village of Watkins Glen)

    2:00 Enjoy the rest of the day in the Finger Lakes.

    See You At The Glen!

    Social Event: Opening Day at Watkins Glen

    Sat-Sun, April 15-16, 2023
    One day each year, everyone is welcome to drive one of the most famous road courses in the world. Join us for an event the entire family can enjoy.