Watkins Glen Int'l news 2008-08-13

BRIAN REDMAN NAMED GRAND MARSHAL & HONORED GUEST
Redman, F-5000, Triumph, and the 50th Anniversary of Lola Will Be Honored During the U.S. Vintage Grand Prix

Watkins Glen, NY (August 13, 2008) -- Brian Redman, one of the most accomplished drivers to compete at Watkins Glen International, will be the honored guest for this year's U.S. Vintage Grand Prix, September 5-7. The weekend will have special events to honor Redman and this year's featured marques, F-5000 and the Triumph. In addition, we will celebrate with Lola on their 50th Anniversary. Redman will also hop back into his legendary #1 Lola T332-Chevy and compete in the F-5000 feature race on Sunday, September 7.

Brian Redman challenged the twists and turns of The Soul of American Road Racing numerous times, racing in nearly every division that Watkins Glen International offered during his career. Redman began his successful Watkins Glen career with the Watkins Glen Six Hours race in 1969. In that event, Redman was paired with Joseph Siffert in the #1 Porsche Spider 908/6. The two drivers maintained an average pace of 111.19 mph, and completed 291 laps to win the event. Redman returned to The Glen on and off for the twelve years to compete in the Watkins Glen Six Hours event. During that stretch, he entered nine races and earned two runner-up finishes and seven top-tens.

Redman also competed at Watkins Glen International in the Formula 5000 from 1972-1976. In five starts, he finished second twice and earned one sixth-place finish. In 1975, he was able to bring home a victory with the #1 Lola T332-Chevy in the Formula 5000 at The Glen. Also during that time period, Redman completed in two Can-Am events in 1970 and 1974, and in two F1 U.S. Grand Prix events from 1972-1973 at Watkins Glen International. However, Redman didn't experience his usual success in these events posting three DNFs and one 7th place finish.

Redman returned to The Glen again in 1984 to compete in the IMSA Sports Car World Championship Series. He competed in six events over a three year period posting four top-five finishes and two DNFs.

The Formula 5000, or F-5000, 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 Company 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.

The weekend will also include the Grand Prix Festival presented by the Chemung Canal Trust Co. in the village of Watkins Glen on Friday, September 5. 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.

-credit: wgi