NASA at Watkins Glen International
- When
- Where
- Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, NY
- Event type
- open_track
NASA at Watkins Glen International, "Thunder at the Glen 2026," takes place from October 9 to October 11, 2026, at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, NY. This crossover event includes the NASA SouthEast Region. Friday features Race Test/Tune, HPDE Solo, and HPDE Advanced with TT. Saturday and Sunday will host HPDE, Race, and TT sessions. Drivers must be 18 years of age to drive in New York state per state law; no exceptions are made. HPDE registration should be based on experience. HPDE1 is for novice drivers with no or limited experience, and instructors will be assigned automatically; do not add the instructor option. GR drivers with no track experience should also choose HPDE1. HPDE2 is for drivers with multiple days/events cleared to solo. HPDE3 is for drivers with multiple track days at different tracks. HPDE4 is for advanced drivers with 20 or more track days and open passing. New NASA advanced drivers (HPDE4) should include their track history, including other organizations, number of days, and tracks visited, in their profile. If groups sell out, you can join a waitlist to be contacted if a spot opens. Checkout rides are available to move between HPDE groups, with preference given to those who register online ahead of time due to limited instructor availability. Facility access begins Thursday at 6:00 PM. Early arrivals can wait in Lot 3 past Gate 2. Free camping is allowed starting Thursday at 6:00 PM; electric supply is limited, first come, first served, with a $50 fee paid to the track. RV sites are available next to the Media Center for $50 and include water and electric. Garages can be rented for a 3-day option at $199, with two cars assigned per opening. To reserve a garage, complete an event registration and use the "Parking" option in the red box, then click on the garage building and view slots. Single-day garage rentals are not available. A track walk for all drivers and guests is scheduled for Friday at 5:30 PM at no charge; this is a ride in trucks or cars behind a security vehicle with stops at various track spots for discussion. Lil Speed Shop is located at the end of the garage for trackside needs and tire mounting. Drivers are responsible for any damage to track property, including guard rails and tire bundles, and for clean-up due to fluid leaks. Purchasing the track damage waiver through NASA registration is advised to cover these expenses. Track maps and information are available at NASA-NE. Photography will be provided by WindShadow Studios (Mike Woeller) and Viken Photography. Multi-day discount packages are available. A 3-day package includes a test day on Friday, with race or TT on Saturday and Sunday only for those groups. For HPDE, it includes HPDE all three days. Detailed information will be sent 7-10 days before the event, and schedules will be posted 3-4 days prior. For track insurance, consider Hagerty Insurance, Lockton Insurance, OpenTrack Insurance, or Track Day Insurance. Local accommodations include Falls Motel, The Seneca Lodge, Budget Inn, Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel, and Seneca Clipper Inn, along with AirBNB and VRBO options. Hotels in Horseheads, NY, are also a 20-minute drive from the track. The cancellation policy for HPDE/Time Trial/Open Track allows a full refund minus a $50 processing fee with at least one week's notice. Cancellations received up to 72 hours before the event will receive a credit for another event this season. No credit is available under 72 hours. Race Group fees are fully refundable, less a $50 processing fee, if registered at least 12 days in advance and NASA is notified within three days following the missed event. No partial refunds are allowed, and this policy does not apply to special events. Fees are non-refundable once the car is on the track. For Toyota HPDE, a minimum of 14 days notice is required for cancellation; failure to provide notice will result in forfeiture of the complimentary track day. NASA events do not cancel due to rain. For any questions, contact scasella@nasane.com or call 973-900-7272. Cancellation requests can be sent to scasella@nasane.com or info@GRtrackdrive.com, or by calling 844-477-8772 for Toyota HPDE. Visit https://members.drivenasa.com/events/5357 for more details.