2025 ARPCA Watkins Glen Grand Prix

Allegheny Region Porsche Club of America

2025 Watkins Glen Vintage Grand Prix

September 4th thru September 8th

Watkins Glen Vintage Grand Prix Festival

Even though Phil put on a heavier coat and mounted studded tires on his new Macan EV for 6 more weeks of winter, that doesn’t mean we ARPCA members can’t dream – and plan! – for warmer days and less slippy roads to come.

So, are you ready to step back in time to see vintage “racing” and automobiles in Watkins Glen? Well, we’ve got a trip for you! We are pleased to provide more detail on the September 4-7th Watkins Glen Gran Prix Festival Weekend.  

This 4-day trek to central New York allows us to enjoy 3 nights lodging on beautiful Seneca Lake, and 4 days enjoying the historic town of Watkins Glen, and attending the annual Vintage Gran Prix Festival https://watkinsglen.com/grandprix-festival/ as the main attraction.  As an additional incentive, Porsche is the featured marque for this year’s festival, so that makes it a must go!

With lots of local sights, museums, tours, the vintage car show and festival events, we’ll certainly find our days completely full.  Given the usual late-summer crowds in the Finger Lakes, plus the popularity of “The Vintage” (as the locals refer to it), ARPCA members are strongly encouraged to register for this event ASAP at MotorsportReg https://www.motorsportreg.com/ and to call immediately to secure lodgings (contact info noted below).

We’ll start off outside of Pittsburgh, where Michael Marrone will lead you into the New York Finger Lakes region. on Thursday morning for those that are able to join him for the trip up,

Helpful details for planning your participation in what promises to be an epic Tour to Watkins Glen are below: 

Lodging :

• Glenora Wine Cellars https://www.glenora.com/Inn/Accommodations. Situated overlooking the western shore of Seneca Lake, Glenora is a charming, smaller hotel with an easy and scenic 15-minute drive from the town center of Watkins Glen.  For early risers, the sunrise over the vineyards should be spectacular. Mention ARPCA when making your reservation! Limited rooms - be the first to call and reserve!
• There are also multiple national hotel chains to be found within 30 minutes of Watkins Glen in the nearby towns of Horseheads, Corning, and Elmira for those having to decide later to attend.

Daily Activities (planned exclusively for ARPCA members. Unless noted otherwise, any costs for these events are not included in the ARPCA registration fee and will be settled individually):

Thursday: 

• Arrival Driving Tour starting at Jersey Shore (it’s in Pennsylvania - honest!) , led by Michael Marrone will be leading a fantastic drive through the byways and state forest roads of rural North Central Pennsylvania, passing Cherry Springs and into Coudersport for a group lunch. Afterwards, we will depart Coudersport and finish the drive to up to Watkins Glen via some winding farmland roads.
• Arrival Dinner: Seneca Lodge Dining Room (this wonderful restaurant is straight out of the Golden Age of Motor Touring, but is first-come first-served, so we’ll plan on this being an Early Bird meal).

Friday: 

• Events at your leisure.
• Wine Tasting and Tour at Glenora (optional at additional $25 cost)

Saturday: 

• Day 1 of The Vintage - various events planned and at your leisure.
• For those who just like to drive, there’s an ARPCA drive to Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall of Fame (approx. 5 hrs driving plus facility tour), please indicate in advance that you’d like to do this on MSR .

Sunday:

• Day 2 of The Vintage – various events planned, again at leisure.
• Departure Driving Tour starting in Olean, through the Allegheny Forest – with a stop at Kinzua Bridge State Park, and finishing up with lunch in Oil City

Just remember, for those folks that want to leave earlier or stay longer than the tour, you are more than welcome to do so. The ARPCA Watkins Glen 2025 Tour Registration Cost: $50 per person / $75 per person with the Wine Tasting and Tour. Registration is live.