Six Hours of Watkins Glen
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| Venue | Watkins Glen International |
|---|---|
| Corporate sponsor | Sahlen's |
| First race | 1948 |
| First IMSA race | 2014 |
| Duration | 6 Hours |
| Previous names | Watkins Glen Grand Prix |
| Most wins (driver) | Walt Hansgen, Derek Bell, James Weaver, Scott Pruett (4) |
| Most wins (team) | Briggs Cunningham (8) |
| Most wins (manufacturer) | Porsche (10) |
The Six Hours of Watkins Glen (currently sponsored as the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen) is a sports car endurance race held annually at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York. The race dates from 1948, and has been a part of the SCCA National Sports Car Championship, United States Road Racing Championship, World Sportscar Championship, IMSA GT Championship, Rolex Sports Car Series and currently the United SportsCar Championship.
The first Watkins Glen Grand Prix was held in 1948 on a 6.6-mile course around Watkins Glen State Park and the village of Watkins Glen. Cameron Argetsinger, a Cornell law student and SCCA member, organized the event along with the local Chamber of Commerce. The 8-lap, 52.8-mile race was won by Frank Griswold in a pre-war Alfa Romeo 8C. In 1950, three spectators were injured during a support race, and driver Sam Collier was killed during the Grand Prix. The 1951 event became a part of the new SCCA National Sports Car Championship series. In 1952, twelve spectators were injured and one killed when a car left the circuit in the village. This led organizers to move the course to a hillside southwest of Watkins Glen for 1953. Drivers complained of poor visibility and run-off, prompting the construction of a permanent circuit, today called Watkins Glen International, in 1956.
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