Opening Day Presented by MOTUL at The Glen

Opening Day at Watkins Glen International on April 11, 2026, from 8:30am to 5pm, hands you the wheel on one of North America’s most storied road courses. This annual charity benefit for the Racing and Community Enrichment (R.A.C.E.) Foundation lets you drive your own vehicle for three paced laps around the 3.45-mile Grand Prix circuit, following the same asphalt where Formula One legends like François Cevert and Mario Andretti once raced.

Tickets cost $34 per car when purchased in advance or $35 at the gate, and each ticket covers three laps with the option to buy additional rounds. Individual drivers and car clubs are welcome, though groups of 10 or more must reserve their time slot in advance by emailing the track. Watkins Glen International does not accept cash, so bring a credit or debit card. Motorcycles are not permitted. Everyone in your vehicle must wear seatbelts, and helmets are not required.

The track opens back up to fans after winter closure during Opening Day, making it the first chance of the season to experience the famous Esses, the dramatic downhill plunge into Turn 5, and the sweeping carousel turns that define this legendary circuit. Racing began in Watkins Glen in 1948 on public village streets before moving to the current location in 1956. The circuit has hosted Formula One, IndyCar, IMSA sports cars, and NASCAR across its 76-year history. The 3.45-mile “Boot” layout includes 11 turns and 90 feet of elevation change, with speeds reaching 180 mph on the back straight during professional races. Your laps will be paced for safety, but you’ll still feel the track’s technical challenges and flowing rhythm.

April in the Finger Lakes typically brings temperatures in the 40s to 60s with possible rain, so check the weather forecast and bring layers. The track sits at 1,400 feet elevation, often cooler than lakeside villages. Free parking is available in the main lots off County Route 16. Arrive early if you want minimal wait times, as the event runs continuously throughout the day. If you’re part of a car club planning to drive together, coordinate your arrival time after making your group reservation.

After your laps, head four miles into Watkins Glen village to walk Franklin Street, where vintage racing posters decorate storefronts and the International Motor Racing Research Center preserves motorsport history. Drive down to Seneca Lake for waterfront views, or visit the state park’s gorge trail if spring conditions allow. For dinner, try Jerlando’s Ristorante & Pizza Company (opened 1988) or Wildflower Cafe & The Crooked Rooster Brewpub (established 2010), both on Franklin Street. Book lakefront lodging on Lake.com along Seneca Lake’s western shore, where you can watch sailboats and enjoy the quiet before summer crowds arrive.