Watkins Glen International Joins iRacing Legendary Road-Racing Circuit to be Added to Motorsport Simulation and Internet Racing Service

BEDFORD, MA (November 20, 2008) - Located in the rolling hills overlooking Seneca Lake, Watkins Glen International is more than just one of two road-courses for NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series, a favorite circuit for the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series and a stop on the IndyCar© Series schedule; it's also the ancestral home to American road-racing. On November 26th, a little more than 60 years after sports cars first raced through the streets of this Upstate New York hamlet, the modern-day version of this venue will become available to members of iRacing.com.

Using cutting-edge laser-scanning techniques, iRacing.com has captured every dip and bump of the famed circuit, meaning professionals will be able to log unlimited testing miles and amateurs and fans will have a chance to experience the challenges and nuances of The Glen from behind the wheel, in the most realistic setting possible, short of climbing into a real racecar. iRacing, the world's leader in motorsport simulations, has licensed more than 40 racing facilities for its membership-based online service, yet vice president of marketing Scott McKee said there was something extra special about adding The Glen.

"More motorsport history has been written at The Glen than most of us can remember," McKee said. "For almost 20 years it was the home to the United States Grand Prix. Every road-racing car in the current iRacing inventory competes there regularly, as do many of the cars we have coming in the near future, so this is an addition to our list of tracks that will be of great interest to all our members, pros, amateurs and fans."

"In this modern era, it is great to have a partner that can expose our track to new fans using this compelling simulation technology," said Craig Rust, president of Watkins Glen International. "We've hosted virtually every form of racing at The Glen during our history, and while our fans love being at the track, very few of them have ever had the chance to actually drive it. This is very different from watching in-car footage; now our fans can experience the twist-and-turns of our storied road course first-hand in a virtual world."

Racing first came to The Glen in 1948, with drivers negotiating a course laid out on the surrounding roads of the town. It was another eight years until a permanent racetrack was built. 1957 saw the first professional race held on the permanent course, a NASCAR Grand National event won by Buck Baker over Fireball Roberts. The following year, Formula Libre began holding races there, as well. But it wasn't until 1961, when Formula One came to town, that Watkins Glen really hit the big time.

That year the United States Grand Prix became a regular event at The Glen. For the next two decades, the top names in motorsports, not to mention hundreds of thousands of race fans, flocked to the little town in Upstate New York for one of the most anticipated races of the year. Three times, the track was named best organized and best staged grand prix of the season by the Grand Prix Drivers Association.

And although The Glen is no longer a regular fixture on the F1 calendar these days, it has remained a favorite stop on some of the top motorsport series schedules including the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series held in June, the IndyCar Series held on the 4th of July weekend and the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series' only stop in New York State in August. From Jeff Gordon to Mario Andretti, many of auto racing's all-time greats have negotiated this famed race track, where history continues to be made. Soon, everyone will be able to be a part of that.

About Watkins Glen International

The highlight of the 2009 season at Watkins Glen International includes, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event, on its traditional summer race weekend, August 6-9. The popular Daytona Prototypes of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series kick off the race season during 28th running of the Sahlen's Six hours of The Glen, June 5-7. The open-wheel cars and stars take on all the action this 4th of July weekend during the 5th Annual Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen. Tickets for the entire 2009 season went on sale November 15. For tickets and information, please contact the Watkins Glen International ticket office at 866-461-RACE or log on to the official Watkins Glen website at www.TheGlen.com.

About iRacing.com
iRacing.com was founded in September of 2004 by Dave Kaemmer and John Henry. Kaemmer was co-founder of Papyrus Design Group, developers of award-winning racing simulations including NASCAR Racing: 2003 Season and Grand Prix Legends. Henry is principal owner of the Boston Red Sox and Fenway Sports Group - the co-owner of Roush Fenway Racing - as well as an avid simracer. The iRacing.com team combines more than 100 years of real-world racing experience with more than 50 years of successful racing simulation development.