So my wife and I just spent a week at Watkins Glen in the upstate NY Fingerlakes.  It happens to be one of my favorite places (not just because of the race track lol) so I thought I'd share...  (Noel inspired me)  

The first picture is from the Gorge.  The Gorge trail is ~ 1.5 mile long, comprised of 836 steps making a 1010 foot vertical climb in that 1.5 miles.  It is comprised of 19 waterfalls along the trail with a 200 foot overlook of the gorge along the trail.  First thing in the morning as the sun is rising it is a truly spectacular place.  The fact it is right here in upstate NY makes us East Coasters very fortunate.  You can actually see the different layers of granite and shale where the Glacial streams have cut their way through the rocks over thousands of years.

 

The next shots are from the Lake:

Interesting facts. The lake is 35.1 miles long, 650 feet deep, an average temperature of 55, has a salt mine 1800 feet below it with enough salt for the entire globe for 600 years.  The Salt mine originates in West Virginia and runs under Lake Seneca.  The lake flows north not south and is a Fingerlake because it was formed by glacier melt. It also has access to any port in the world.  The mural painted on the rocks was painted originally by and Native American tribe commemorating their escape down the small foot trail next to the painting.  Years later the Teepee's were added to the mural by word not allowed individuals who did not realize the native Americans in this area did not reside in Teepee's.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, the race track...

Watkins Glen was founded on a road course running through the village you can still drive today.  (Not at race speed LOL)  In 1958 I believe the actual track was founded.  From 61-81 WGI was famous for the US Grand Prix in F1.  Eventually the track had to add an "inner loop" Chicane at the top of the esses to slow cars down.  It is known for it's uphill esses with walls on either side.  This is my Porsche 987.2 running a 2:06 flat. I actually own the lap record at WGI which is a 2:05.3 so this was .7 off lap record pace.  You will notice the "Bus Stop" after the esses where we actually lifted the car so far airborne we shifted an upright 🙂 

It takes 2 or 3 laps to clear some GT3's and Turbo's before I really get going 🙂

 

 

Hope you enjoyed.  Thanks for reading!  

Stunning scenery, Paul

As for the motor racing, I purchased Assetto Corsa Competizione last weekend (after taking advantage of the three day FREE trial, and subsequent 60% discount on the base game). No Watkins Glen available, but it does include a nice rendition of Laguna Seca. I am currently enjoying test driving every single GT3 and GT4 car in the game (and that includes four Porsches) at Brands Hatch

Thanks for sharing - spent a lot of time in Watkins Glen in my youth - had family that lived there, as well as many a times on a cottage rental on the lake (COLD>>>>).

My uncle flew his Cherokee out of a now closed grass strip on the east side of the lake - fond memories.

Joe

Wow. Never imagined this was such a beautiful area and only thought that Rob was the only racer here in the forums. 
Car looks great although I can beat your lap record but in iRacing 😂

Love to watch the old ‘70’s F1 races with the Flying Scot, Jackie Stewart. He retired from F1 after his teammate Francois Cevert lost his life with on a Gran Prix weekend. 

Edited June 12, 20214 yr by Samaritano

I live 15 miles from Watkins Glen, and visit the gorge often. The entire Finger Lakes area of New York is beautiful - especially at this time of year. Thanks for sharing your photos!

I’m reading this thread going “oh what nice calming scenery, nice scenery, oh nice picture” then BAM here’s the Porsche that I blast around Watkins Glen!  

Awesome post and nice car! 🙂

 

Thanks for that Paul.  I'm no longer able to trek to those beautiful places but it brings back a lot of memories; not of Watkins Glen but vistas in the Rockies that are very similar and that Betty and I have visited with our kids.  As soon as my son was old enough to carry his own sleeping bag (about 5 years old) we went back packing as a family.

Noel

4 hours ago, Rob_Ainscough said:

Very nice, track and scenery ... never managed to get out to the Glenn (was on our schedule but it would have been a long haul).

Is that a RacePak or Motech or something else?

What's the display/data on the right (4 green bars) ... tire temp sensors?

Cheers, Rob.

Thank Rob!  It's an AiM dash into a VBOX Data system...  Yep, the green bars are the visuals on tire temps.  We have IR sensors in the wheel wells and another sensor or two just for info we can't pull natively from the ECU.  I'm like you though, we have a couple of West Coast tracks I'd love to get to but at $1.50/mile to haul the car those cross country trips get tough!!  This year I'm tackling Mid-Ohio and Road America as my new venues.

Thanks @ Birdguy I always enjoy reading your reminiscence.  

Haha, thanks Regis... Our vacations tend to revolve around race tracks these days LOL

@JRBarrett It is such a beautiful area!  We absolutely love it and some of our favorite restaurants are up there.  Stone Cat overlooking the lake is incredible!!

Thanks @Samaritano  It's actually interesting to see the number of race car drivers at the track who are also pilots.   My friend Pete is actually building a Jet from scratch with his wife... I mean literally building a 2 seater...   Ironically, my coach and I use iRacing VERY heavily to train for upcoming tracks.  The visuals are so darn good even my off track indicators and visual points are all there!  At Sebring they even have the cracks in the pavement we look for coming into the hotel corner.  It's unreal.  

Thanks @Joe l I think that little grass strip is actually still in MSFS!!

Thanks @Christopher Low  The scenery up there is incredible!  I haven't tried the new ACC yet, I heard it is very good though.   Apparently Automobolista is the one a lot of people are talking about right now.  I may have to give it a look.  As for Brands Hatch, I'd love to be able to drive some of the tracks over there!!  Brands and Silverstone are very high on my "to do" list...   Right after Spa and the Ring! 

Thanks everyone!!!  Glad people enjoyed the post!

 

I’m loving the handful of car threads in this forum lately, I feel like I need to post my car specs in my signature 😉