The Boot, comprised of turns 6, 7, and 8, was added in 1971 and is Watkins Glen’s most famous feature.

The Boot, comprised of turns 6, 7, and 8, was added in 1971 and is Watkins Glen’s most famous feature.

Take care with the blind approach to turn 9 and learn the line before trying to break any track records.

Take care with the blind approach to turn 9 and learn the line before trying to break any track records.

Brake before turn-in at turn 10, find the apex, and take advantage of the elevation change to maximize acceleration into 11 and back around to 1.

Brake before turn-in at turn 10, find the apex, and take advantage of the elevation change to maximize acceleration into 11 and back around to 1.

Brake early heading into turn 1 as it heads downhill; “slow in, fast out” sets you up for the quickest part of the track.

Brake early heading into turn 1 as it heads downhill; “slow in, fast out” sets you up for the quickest part of the track.

Turns 2 to 4 include The Esses; better to lift than brake through here before exiting to the back straight.

Turns 2 to 4 include The Esses; better to lift than brake through here before exiting to the back straight.

You can brake earlier or later as you transition through turns 22 to 23 before heading back onto the front straight. Experiment and find the technique that’s most comfortable for you.

You can brake earlier or later as you transition through turns 22 to 23 before heading back onto the front straight. Experiment and find the technique that’s most comfortable for you.

Horse Shoe comes at the end of the front straight and sees a lot of passing; mind the mirrors if others are on the track.

Horse Shoe comes at the end of the front straight and sees a lot of passing; mind the mirrors if others are on the track.

Keep the wheel steady through turn 5, and come out into the lower esses known as the Snake.

Keep the wheel steady through turn 5, and come out into the lower esses known as the Snake.

The Climbing Esses through turns 7 to 9 is the section requiring the most adaptation to VIR’s many elevation changes.

The Climbing Esses through turns 7 to 9 is the section requiring the most adaptation to VIR’s many elevation changes.

The iconic turn 12, Oak Tree, is a tricky right turn heading into the back straight.

The iconic turn 12, Oak Tree, is a tricky right turn heading into the back straight.

The internet is littered with videos of drivers overestimating how fast they can take turn 1. Don’t become the subject of one of them.

The internet is littered with videos of drivers overestimating how fast they can take turn 1. Don’t become the subject of one of them.

Turns 2 to 4 can be taken nearly full throttle with judicious use of the track and curbing. Use some braking through 3 to make sure the line into/through turn 4 is straight.

Turns 2 to 4 can be taken nearly full throttle with judicious use of the track and curbing. Use some braking through 3 to make sure the line into/through turn 4 is straight.

Cut out to the edge of the track exiting turn 6, then brake hard and late entering the over-90-degree turn 7. Get back out to the edge out of 7 to make the most of the long straight that follows.

Cut out to the edge of the track exiting turn 6, then brake hard and late entering the over-90-degree turn 7. Get back out to the edge out of 7 to make the most of the long straight that follows.

The chicane at turn 10, at the end of the long back straight, is the most dramatic braking point on the track, and where a lot of passing action occurs.

The chicane at turn 10, at the end of the long back straight, is the most dramatic braking point on the track, and where a lot of passing action occurs.

Set up your line through turn 11 as you pass under the bridge, and you should be able to stay on the gas through 12 and back around to turn 1.

Set up your line through turn 11 as you pass under the bridge, and you should be able to stay on the gas through 12 and back around to turn 1.

The trickiest bit of Road America is the dogleg turn 11 known as The Kink, between the fast exit from turn 10 and the high-speed straight approaching the hard right at turn 12 known as Canada Corner.

The trickiest bit of Road America is the dogleg turn 11 known as The Kink, between the fast exit from turn 10 and the high-speed straight approaching the hard right at turn 12 known as Canada Corner.

Take care entering turn 13; slow down, find the line out, and gradually accelerate through the exit.

Take care entering turn 13; slow down, find the line out, and gradually accelerate through the exit.

Road America starts heading uphill, cresting just before the entry to turn 1; swing right and clip a late apex to come out the other side at speed.

Road America starts heading uphill, cresting just before the entry to turn 1; swing right and clip a late apex to come out the other side at speed.

Be mindful of braking heading into the 90-degree left-hander at turn 5.

Be mindful of braking heading into the 90-degree left-hander at turn 5.

Passing under Corvette Bridge on approach makes the left-right turn 6 to 7 combination tricky; get comfortable with entry before trying to push it.

Passing under Corvette Bridge on approach makes the left-right turn 6 to 7 combination tricky; get comfortable with entry before trying to push it.

Located in between straights, the first turn can be taken at speed, but take a couple laps to build confidence before doing so.

Located in between straights, the first turn can be taken at speed, but take a couple laps to build confidence before doing so.

Coming into turn 2, Off Ramp, find the first apex quickly. Slow into the apex of the hairpin and get the power down heading into the following straight.

Coming into turn 2, Off Ramp, find the first apex quickly. Slow into the apex of the hairpin and get the power down heading into the following straight.

Turn 6, Grapevine, can be taken at speed with a smooth line and throttle maintenance with an eye toward the Club Corner, turn 7.

Turn 6, Grapevine, can be taken at speed with a smooth line and throttle maintenance with an eye toward the Club Corner, turn 7.

This is a fast, long curve leading into a straight. Turn in and brake late heading in to find the apex and avoid lifting or steering adjustment through the turn.

This is a fast, long curve leading into a straight. Turn in and brake late heading in to find the apex and avoid lifting or steering adjustment through the turn.

Mind the apexes and maybe get the tires a bit dusty through the Esses and they can be taken confidently.

Mind the apexes and maybe get the tires a bit dusty through the Esses and they can be taken confidently.