The Cars
1950 ALLARD J2
1955 MERCEDES-BENZ GULLWING

The first serious attempt to revive sports car racing in the U.S. after WWII was at Watkins Glen, NY in 1948. Here the cars lined up, side-by-side, on the main street of this Finger Lakes resort town for the start of the race on public streets.

For the first few years, the race was run on a 6.6 mile course through the town. Many of the ARCA competitors came there to race and formed the Sports Car Club of America to sanction events.

After a spectator fatality in 1952, a new course was set up outside of town, also using existing roads. In 1956, a permanent course was unveiled and the track is one of the premier racing facilities in the world.