r/IMSARacing • u/i-Get-No-Box • Jun 17 '24

Future Interest Watkins Glen 2025

Hello. I am planning to go to Watkins Glen next year for the 6 hour race. I wanted to know how ticketing works if there is parking? What are the best grandstands/views at the track? What are prices like? Do they sell individual day passes or weekend only? Any tips is greatly appreciated. TIA

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4

u/rofld Jun 17 '24

Recommend going to the Watkins glen website and looking at all the information for this years race. It will be mostly the same for next year. Parking is free in the big lots outside the track. Or pay extra for infield parking. Ticket prices depends on if you’re getting general admission or a hospitality package. GA is like $120 for the weekend or something like $100 for Sunday only. Turn 10 grandstand has Jumbotron. Turn 2 grandstand probably has best view. Very top of esses grandstand probably allows you to see most of the track from one place. I wouldn’t stay in one grandstand, I would plan on walking around a lot on watching from several different places.

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u/i-Get-No-Box Jun 18 '24

Ok so I browsed the website and looked at all grandstand view points from YouTube. Argetsinger and the Esses seem the best view points. For context I've only been to Montreal for F1 GP and I'm used to very big crowds and tight spaces. How open is the entire venue? Are grandstands first come first serve? What's the attendance like? Tickets are quite cheap compared to F1. Walking from the lots outside to the track is it a very long walk? Additionally I see on the guide map that there aren't many Jumbotrons and are they a necessity for the race there? When I was in Montreal it was very nice to have one to follow the race. The hospitality packages don't even seem worth it but I also can't see prices. Are spectators able to go into the paddock and look at the cars or are those not accessible. I can't find much information on things to do at the track besides the racing ofcourse.

3

u/rofld Jun 18 '24

It won't be as crowded as an F1 race. Grandstands seats are first come, but unless you want the very best seats on Sunday, you'll be able to walk around to the different grandstands during the race and find decent seats at each one. Check out the race from last year on youtube to get an idea of crowd size. It's really not that bad. Friday and Saturday are mostly empty, to be honest.

Paddocks are open.

There's only 2 jumbotrons that I know of? The one across from turn 10 bleachers and another somewhere on the main straight. There might be one more I'm not thinking of. If you're not in front of a jumbotron the commentators are over the PA system during the race and it's pretty loud. Or bring a scanner. They don't always have an AM/FM broadcast. Cell data for streaming can be spotty too.

If you're there for the whole weekend plan to go into town and do things there instead of staying at the track the whole time.

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u/i-Get-No-Box Jun 19 '24

I just looked up the 2023 edition and during the warm up lap grandstands were fairly empty which is a bit shocking to me so I guess I shouldn't be too worried about my seats. I'll make sure to move throughout the track and not stay in one spot since tickets aren't assigned to grandstands.

I find it a bit surprising they don't have more Jumbotrons but if they have announcers then it shouldn't be too bad. I was planning to be at the track all day. I'm really big on the Carrera Cup and IMSA ofcourse so I was going to be there to watch most sessions. now it also depends if the Carrera cup goes there next year. Are there events in town during the weekend?

3

u/scrappycoco2411 Jun 17 '24

Weekend ticket is better deal than Sunday only ticket. There's free parking in the lots front stretch side of the track. All tickets are general admission and can move where ever you want during the race to watch.

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u/i-Get-No-Box Jun 18 '24

Is the attendance crazy? What if I want to go to the bathroom should I be worried that my seat will be taken? For context the only other race I've been to is F1 in Canada and that is a very well organized event and going to IMSA is very much different. Are the grandstand fairly accessible? I see that the Esses and Argetsinger are the best ones there.

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u/DavidWatchGuy Jun 18 '24

no worries- the grandstands will be 90% empty for most of the race. Most people wander around. The only Grandstands that have people in them are the ones with the Jumbotron, even then they will only be 60% full at most.. There are significantly more people along the fences than in the stands. The only place that is packed is the entrance to the bust stop, along the fence. Even there you can find a spot to watch.

Camping is AWESOME and much better than day trips. Seriously consider camping. Since it is usually the weekend before July 4th, there is a fireworks show and the campgrounds are really full of good folks.

Like all motor racing events, be prepared to walk A LOT, have fluids, sunscreen and hat.

It is not like F1, you do not generally sit in one spot and watch the race, walk the track and enjoy hanging out with fellow fanatics.

1

u/DavidWatchGuy Jun 18 '24

Oh yeah, buy your tickets in fall or early in the year and pay much less.

1

u/i-Get-No-Box Jun 19 '24

Thanks for the info. I was going to buy tickets as soon as they came out. Another person mentioned the crowds and I looked at the 2023 edition and grandstands were fairly empty which is a bit of a shock to me. Why do people prefer to watch along the fences do you really get a good view of the cars? As far as camping goes it sounds awesome and very practical especially during race day but that's something I logistically can't do. Do they open the track at the end of the race or the end of the day?

1

u/CHZ_QHZ Jun 17 '24

Consider that the ticket price rises over time as well. I bought my tickets this year right when they went on sale and paid $95 a ticket and they're like $130 right now for the weekend tickets.

1

u/i-Get-No-Box Jun 18 '24

Well it's not as bad as F1. To be fair though $130 is a steal considering there is Carrera Cup, Lamborghini and Mustang. Plus the Michelin Pilot on top of the regular IMSA running. For F1 in Canada I paid $461.36 per ticket which included Carrera cup and Ferrari Challenge but also had assigned seats

2

u/CHZ_QHZ Jun 18 '24

Don't get me wrong, it's an absolute deal. Just pointing out that if you know you're going, might as well buy early and save some money.

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u/i-Get-No-Box Jun 19 '24

Yes I would be purchasing as soon as tickets come out. I was initially worried that the event would be quite expensive but it's quite the opposite

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u/JellyBellySP Jun 25 '24

I've gone the last 3years. Tickets are general admission, you can walk around the track and sit or stand where you wish. You can also get into the paddock area during the race to see cars that have had issues. The only place you can't go is the "club" tents without a pass or on pit road while the track is hot. It's the best value in racing IMO. I prefer this over the NASCAR race.

1

u/Sea_Tooth_3814 Nov 25 '24

Completely clueless wife here looking to get tickets to this for my husband for a Christmas gift. I saw last year's info said there was a Porsche and Lamborghini race - will that happen in 2025 too? I find the website confusing! Trying to figure out if this is something he'd enjoy!

1

u/sorghumone 18d ago

Yes, in 2024 they had Porsche, Lamborghini race on Friday and Saturday. It should be the same or similar for 2025. Each series holds two races, one on Friday and one on Saturday. If you’re buying the 4-day admission these races are inclusive to the ticket.

If you google: 2024 IMSA Watkins Glen official schedule, one of the top search results will be a pdf with very detailed schedule of every practice, qualifying, and race for every series during the 2024 weekend. No schedule has been published for the 2025 season, but the 2024 schedule will give you a good idea of what 2025 will look like.

1

u/Sea_Tooth_3814 18d ago

Thank you! That's very helpful.

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u/Fit-Film-1212 14d ago

Did you get your ticket yet, im looking on the website and i cant find anything but promo stuff?

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u/i-Get-No-Box 10d ago

Hey. Things came up and I won't be going but I don't think tickets are being sold just yet. Could be wrong though.

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u/Fit-Film-1212 10d ago

Okay thank you 🙏🏻