Watkins Glen II: Brumos Racing preview

Brumos Racing Glad to be Back for Another Round at The Glen

Jacksonville, FL: For Brumos Racing, a trip to historic Watkins Glen will always feel like a homecoming of sorts. The Elmira, NY, area is not just home to a legendary race track, it was the boyhood home of former Brumos owner, the late Bob Snodgrass, as well as Michael Colucci, whose long career with Brumos grew out of his childhood friendship with Snodgrass and a shared love of racing. The track also holds years of fond memories for Hurley Haywood, who was inducted into the Legends of the Glen Hall of Fame earlier this year. Haywood first began competing at the Glen in the 1960's and still refers to it as his `absolute favorite' race track. It is also a favorite of the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16, currently the only track other than Daytona to host more than one Rolex Series race per season.

While the series may be preparing for a repeat visit to Watkins Glen, aside from the location, there are few similarities to be found between the two Glen competitions. The first race, which was held early in the spring, featured a six-hour endurance format and took place on the longer (3.4 mile) course. Other than the Rolex 24 season-opener, it is the longest race on the current schedule. In contrast, the upcoming Crown Royal 200 sprint race is the shortest for the Rolex Series. It is subject to a two hour time limit and held on the Glen's short (2.45 mile) course. Weather conditions are also quite different, as punishing heat that is expected for the upcoming race requires many additional preparations beyond those needed for more moderate temperatures. All of these factors alter the overall nature of the competition and make for two very different races.

When asked about comparisons between the two events, Brumos drivers David Donohue and Darren Law agreed that each race is unique. As Donohue explained, "The Watkins Glen short course has a very different character than the six-hour race held on the long course, especially in the beginning moments of the event. In the six hour race you have to really focus on how best to preserve the car, while trying to maintain a reasonably good pace. With the short race and the short track, you have a whole different level of intensity. The energy level seems as if it is beyond 100% and it stays that way for the entire race. It is just relentless and relentlessly fast. The track is a much higher average speed than we normally see and you have to constantly push the limits of your car as well as the cars around you."

Darren Law also noted the challenges that the condensed weekend schedule presents. "It will be more important than ever at this race to start out with a good car. There will only be one day for practice, so we won't have a lot of time to make adjustments. And qualifying will be especially critical here, given the short track. Pit stop strategy will play a big factor - given the fast lap times, problems with a stop can easily put you down a lap. David and I were on the podium at this race in 2008 in the Brumos #58 Porsche Riley, so our goal this year is to get there again, but hopefully, to put the Brumos #59 on the top step this time."

-source: brumos racing