{"id":670,"date":"2019-03-16T16:10:10","date_gmt":"2019-03-16T16:10:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/teamsahlen.com\/?p=670"},"modified":"2019-09-10T16:11:43","modified_gmt":"2019-09-10T16:11:43","slug":"the-sahlens-sports-car-springfest-kicks-off-the-racing-season-at-watkins-glen-international","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teamsahlen.com\/index.php\/2019\/03\/16\/the-sahlens-sports-car-springfest-kicks-off-the-racing-season-at-watkins-glen-international\/","title":{"rendered":"The Sahlen’s Sports Car Springfest kicks off the racing season at Watkins Glen International"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For the 4th year in a row, the Sahlen\u2019s Sports Car Springfest will kick off the racing season at Watkins Glen International on April 13th<\/sup> and 14th<\/sup>.   For the weekend, Sports Cars of all types and speed will be competing in the Summit Racing –  American Endurance Racing event.  As has become a tradition, the full field of endurance racers will take the  green flag,  driving under the Sahlen\u2019s bridge just before the start\/finish line at this historic sports car circuit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The race weekend will kick off with Friday night tailgate party.   Sahlen\u2019s Hot Dogs and Sausages will of course be the highlight to the evening\u2019s festivities.  Then on Saturday, the 1st<\/sup> of the weekend\u2019s 9 hour Endurance races will commence at 9 am.  Sunday will see the Summit Racing – American Endurance Racing series line up again for another 9 hour Endurance Race.  At the conclusion of Sunday, Winners in each of the series 3 classes will be announced for their combined finishes for the weekend\u2019s 2 races. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joe Sahlen of Sahlen Packing shared his thoughts on returning as both a sponsor of the event and as a competitor in the series. \u201cI have been coming to Watkins Glen since the 1970s.  It was always one of Anita\u2019s  and my favorite summer destinations.  And I know that this still holds true for so many race fans today.   This is why I am so proud to be able to continue to present the 3 Longest Races at Watkins Glen International each year.   Sponsoring the American Endurance Racing event is extra special because each year it is the 1st<\/sup> race of the season for Watkins Glen International.  Ironically, this weekend will be the 1st<\/sup> event of the season for Team Sahlen.  Our last race was way back in December at Sebring International Raceway.  At this event, Team Sahlen had the good fortune to secure the Overall Victory in both Saturday and Sunday\u2019s events.  We are geared up and ready to return to the Glen this coming weekend to repeat our overall victory here at last year\u2019s event.   We know it won\u2019t be easy, but having tough competition will make securing the overall top spot even more special.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

John Kolesa, President of American Endurance Racing shared his thoughts on the partnership with Sahlen\u2019s Packing Company, – \u201cAmerican Endurance Racing is so excited to have Sahlen\u2019s returning as our partner for our annual event at the historic Watkins Glen International.  Sahlen\u2019s long history with The Glen and racing will surely continue to evolve this into a fantastic event for all to experience this year and in the years to come.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also for the 4th<\/sup> year in a row, Sahlen\u2019s will also be presenting the Tire Rack – ChampCar Endurance Series event held at the end of May.  The May 25th<\/sup> and 26th<\/sup> event is titled as \u201cSahlen\u2019s Champyard DOG at the Glen\u201d.  The Sahlen\u2019s sponsored event has become a Memorial Day classic for ChampCar Endurance Series.  The event is one of the most popular destinations for ChampCar racers with over 100 entries each year.   The event will feature a Sahlen\u2019s Tailgate Party on Friday night featuring grilled up Sahlen\u2019s Hot Dogs.  The race weekend will feature a 7 hour enduro on both Saturday and Sunday.   Always close racing; last year\u2019s race saw the margin of victory being only 7 seconds after 7 hours of racing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The capstone to Sahlen\u2019s involvement with Watkins Glen International will be the 17th<\/sup> edition of the Sahlen\u2019s Six Hours of the Glen held on June 30th<\/sup>.  This partnership, dating back to 2002, is the longest running entitlement sponsorship at the Glen. The Sahlen\u2019s Six Hours of the Glen event hosts the WeatherTech Sports Car Championship series.  Additionally, this event is 1 of 4 races that encompass the Michelin Endurance Cup.  The additional 3 events include the ROLEX 24 Hours at Daytona, the Sebring 12 Hours and the Petit LeMans at Road Atlanta.  These 4 events combined are part of the elite top Endurance races that are held worldwide each year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There will be many activities and events for all the family to enjoy at the Sahlen\u2019s Six Hours of the Glen.  These events will include the Fan Midway, Driver Autograph Session and the Sahlen\u2019s Hot Dog Eating Contest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCelebrating this amazing partnership with Sahlen\u2019s during their 150th anniversary is awesome,\u201d Watkins Glen International President Michael Printup said. \u201cSahlen\u2019s proximity to our track as a Buffalo-based company is of great value to everyone involved, we appreciate Joe Sahlen and Sahlen Packing Company for being strong supporters of The Glen, racing and our fans.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sahlen Packing Company<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2019 marks the 150th<\/sup> Anniversary for the Sahlen Packing Company.  Sahlen\u2019s is a leading producer of premium quality meat products in Western New York, is known for their high quality hot dogs, sausages, and deli meats. Founded in 1869 in Buffalo, New York as a family business, Sahlen\u2019s continues to be the name behind Western New York\u2019s favorite hot dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watkins Glen International<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Located within five (5) hours (~300 miles) of 25% of the US population, Watkins Glen International is the premier road racing facility in North America, recently voted \u201cBest NASCAR Track\u201d by readers of USA Today. Keep up with The Glen on Facebook<\/strong><\/a> and Twitter<\/strong><\/a>. Download The Glen\u2019s free mobile app from the App Store<\/strong><\/a> or Google Play<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

www.theglen.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summit Racing – American Endurance Racing Series<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Summit Racing – American Endurance Racing series enters their 5th<\/sup> season in 2018 with a 7 event schedule throughout the Midwest.  The series features 5 classes of racing for different levels of Sports Cars. The top class features purpose built Porsches, BMWs, Ferraris and Corvettes competing for the Overall Victory. Each weekend features a Saturday and Sunday race format.  Each day\u2019s race is typically 8-9 hours each. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

www.americanenduranceracing.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tire Rack – ChampCar Endurance Series<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tire Rack – ChampCar Endurance Series celebrates over 10 seasons of racing with a 25+ race schedule across North America.  The series features affordably built race cars from multiple decades and formats of street cars. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Events range from 7 hours to 24 hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

www.champcar.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The WeatherTech SportsCar Championship is the premier Endurance Racing series in North America.   The series features an 12 race schedule.  Additionally, within the schedule is 4 events (ROLEX 24 Hours at Daytona, the Sebring 12 Hours, Sahlen\u2019s Six Hours of the Glen and the Petit LeMans at Road Atlanta ) that encompass the Michelin Endurance Cup.  The series consists of 4 classes. The top 2 classes are the purpose built prototype racers.  There are 2 classes of production based sports cars that compete in the GT divisions (GTLeMans and GTDaytona).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

www.imsa.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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