Removal of the plank bench seats in the grandstands began on December 1, with the red and white sections brought down over the past few days. Demolition of the blue section began at 10 a.m. today and was wrapped up before 5 p.m. Located at the base of the famed Esses, the stands were completed in 1969 and placed at the original site of the start-finish line.
Once the area outside Turn Two is cleared, E&D Specialty Stands, Inc. will excavate and install the foundations as well as build the new grandstand. The North Collins, NY based company has already completed approximately 80-percent of the new McDonald’s Family Grandstand and almost 50-percent of the Ninety Grandstand. E&D is the same company that installed the new Turn 10, Turn 11, Green and Silver Grandstands before this past season.
Swarthout Recycling removed the wooden planks and steel from both the Ninety and McDonald’s Family Grandstands in early November and will be using the material in other projects handled by the Beaver Dams, NY-based company. The concrete from the Red, White and Blue will be crushed on-site and reused on Watkins Glen International property while the planks will also be recycled by Swarthout.
The replacement of the grandstands is the most recent stage of a fan-feedback inspired project began last season with a the $3.1 million project that included the installation of four new grandstands, the construction of the new Glen Club and the addition of permanent showers in the infield. In last 10 years, over $30 million has been invested into upgrading and enhancing the WGI facility.
Tickets for the 2012 race season at Watkins Glen International are on sale now by contacting the WGI ticket office at 866.461.RACE(7223) or logging on to the official website, www.TheGlen.com.
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ReplyDeleteI miss the grandstands in the middle of the inner loop. They knocked them down in favor of reserved camping in the late 90's.
ReplyDeletePS Dave. When you come to the Finger Lakes in August. There are Tim Horton's stores around here now. You don't need Jason White to send you a care package.
-Matt in Elmira
My wife and I chase races and want to gto to the Glen sson. Where would the best seats be anyone ?
ReplyDeleteTurn 1 grandstands or Pit Terrace. The Pit Terrace is directly behind and above pit road. Great view of pit stops. Over $100 a ticket though.
ReplyDelete