Layout: Actual
When was the track built?
The permanent circuit was built in 1956, 3.8km long, although racing in the area started at least a decade earlier on 10.6km course made of asphalt, cement and dirt roads in and around the village, that was proven unfortunately dangerous and deadly.
It started hosting the F1 United States GP in 1961 until 1980, with in the middle the definitive extension and re-shaping to the current 5.5km layout; Formula One left both for safety and financial reasons and the circuit suffered of a decline that lasted until 2014 when the American series started to come back.
F1 will also come back from 2023, thanks to the new Organization.
When was its first Grand Prix?
In 1961, as season finale, although Phil Hill was already crowned World Champion in Monza and he and Ferrari team didn’t participate due to tragic events happened in the Italian GP.
The race saw the win of Innes Ireland, his only one, on Lotus-Climax, followed by Porsche’s Dan Gurney and Tony Brooks on BRM-Climax, after Jack Brabham, Graham Hill and Stirling Moss, who were starting in the first three spots, had mechanical issues.
It is one of the eight circuits in the Eastern area of the United States, which will rotate for three spots in the Continental Series.
What’s the circuit like?
A simple layout, with light elevation changes and slightly banked corners, that will generate high average speeds.
Overtaking may be challenging as there are not many heavy braking zones, but races here should be interesting due to the high rhythm and pace and the wide track.
Where is it located?
In the Finger Lakes Region, in the central part of New York state; Elmira airport is around thirty minutes away, with daily connections to Detroit. (+ 42°20’13”, – 76°55’38”)
All Along The Racetrack 