2023 Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen (June 21 and 22)

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It’s was about a year since I attended a motorsport event at Watkins Glen International (WGI), so was very excited to get on my way to this historic race track in upstate New York for the IMSA race weekend last June. It was also my first time to see the Grand Touring Prototypes (GTPs), which I was really looking forward to seeing. This blog is about my first two days. Hope you like the photos.

Wednesday

Left Boston around 8.00 am for the approximately 380 mile westward drive to WGI. Several hours later arrived at the race track.

Went for a walk around the paddock. Really liked the white and blue livery on this 75 Porsche.

First checked out the Porsche Carrera Cup cars in the garage, at the IMSA Technical Center and being unloaded from their trailers.

Next checked out the Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars.

On my way out of the paddock saw some of the Michelin Pilot Challenge cars. Left the paddock and met up with some photographers for dinner. After dinner, went to the hotel and got my photography gear together for the next days shoot.

Thursday

For the morning sessions went to the outside of the Inner Loop between Turns 4 and 5. At 10.00 am, Practice 1 for the Porsche Carrera Cup started. Really liked how the Porsche’s used all the track, and sometimes a little bit more. Hitting the dust with the #9 JDX Racing Porsche 992.

Liked how the livery on the #98 JDX Racing Porsche 992 said “Aspiring drivers wanted”, with QR code.

Between sessions, looked around the spectator area, and noticed this really impressive motorhome, which had a ramp at the back where you could watch the on track action. Really cool.

Next up was Practice 1 for the Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars at 10.45 am. “Stars and Stripes” with the #24 Ansa Motorsports Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo Evo2.

Really liked the tiger livery on the bonnet of the #17 NTE Sport LLC Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo Evo2.

After getting front shots of the cars, decided on some panning shots. Speeding out of the Inner Loop with the #34 TR3 Racing (top) and the #33 World Speed (bottom) Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo Evo2’s. With the morning sessions finishing at 11.30 am, headed back to the media center for some lunch and to download photos.

For the Porsche Carrera Cup Practice session 2 at 1.45 pm, went to Turn 9 for shots of the cars exiting at the top of The Boot. The #9 JDX Racing Porsche 992.

The blue livery of the #17 McElrea Racing Porsche 992 looked really good against the iconic blue railing of Watkins Glen International.
After the session ended, noticed a nice travel trailer set-up with the USA, Watkins Glen and Daytona Rolex 24 flags flying in the breeze.
Stayed at this location for the 2:40 pm Lamborghini Super Trofeo Practice session 2. The #8 Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport reminded me of the Batmobile.
After the Lamborghini Super Trofeo session ended, moved to the inside of the Inner Loop for Practice 1 of the Michelin Pilot Challenge at 3.40 pm. Here’s some shots of the cars entering and going through the Inner Loop. The #95 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT4 (G82) (top),  #15 Rockwell Autosport Development Audi RS3 LMS SEQ and sister car (middle) and the #57 Winward Racing Mercedes AMG GT GT4 (bottom).
Also, noticed an opportunity to pan the cars “through the fence”. The #37 LA Honda World Racing Honda Civic FL5 TCR. After the session ended at 4.40 pm, headed back to the media center to upload and edit photos. Thanks for spending your time reading this photo blog.

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