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Classic Auto Mall Show #217 - Stewart Howden with Watkins Glen President Dawn Burlew + Keith Martin

Classic Auto Mall Show #217 - Stewart Howden with Watkins Glen President Dawn Burlew + Keith Martin

Classic Auto Mall SHOW Nov 06, 2025 59 min
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About this episode

George Howden hosts a lively discussion with Dawn Burlew, President of Watkins Glen International Raceway, and Keith Martin from Sports Car Market. They explore the rich history of Watkins Glen, its evolution from a street race to a premier racetrack, and the community's connection to motorsports. Dawn shares insights on her role as one of the few female track presidents and the initiatives she's implementing to engage local fans. The conversation also touches on the challenges of running a racetrack, the importance of community involvement, and the excitement of upcoming events.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Porsche 914

"I actually was going to say nine, 14. Oh, wow. Yeah."

The Porsche 914 is a small sports car made by Porsche in the 1970s. It was known for its unique design and was aimed at being a more affordable option for sports car enthusiasts.

Concept

Watkins Glen International Raceway

"So, let's get right to our guest joining us from Watkins Glen area, Don Berlude, President of the Watkins Glen International Raceway."

Watkins Glen International is a famous racetrack in New York where many car races happen. It's known for its beautiful scenery and challenging track layout.

Concept

NASCAR

"I've been there a number of times to the NASCAR race. I've been to the Historic's up there."

NASCAR is a type of car racing in America where specially designed cars race on circular tracks. It's known for exciting races and a lot of fans.

Concept

Porsche Club

"I've been to the Porsche Club meet up there, and it's arguably the most beautiful setting in all of racing."

The Porsche Club is a group for people who love Porsche cars. They have meetings and events where fans can come together and enjoy their cars.

Concept

Formula One

"...the foreign aspect is, you know, because the formula one race there until 1980 or 81, right? Right, right."

Formula One is a type of car racing that is very popular worldwide. It involves fast cars racing on special tracks, and it's known for having the best drivers and teams.

Concept

drifting

"you know, one thing that we did this year that we are hooked on driving event over Fourth of July weekend, they added drifting in, which we had never done."

Drifting is when a car slides sideways while driving. It's a popular style of driving in racing and car shows, where drivers make their cars lose grip on purpose but still control them.

Car

Chevrolet Corvette

"every year you know Porsche Corvette this year they've got"

The Chevrolet Corvette is a fast and stylish sports car that many people love. It's known for being powerful and fun to drive, making it a popular choice for car enthusiasts.

Car

Porsche 917

"car to the 917 Porsches and all the ones that"

The Porsche 917 is a famous race car that won many important races in the 1970s. It was known for being very fast and light, which helped it win competitions.

Concept

IMSA

"or vintage IMSA or do you have a particular or are they all"

IMSA is an organization that runs sports car races, where different types of cars compete on road tracks. It's known for having fast and high-tech vehicles.

Car

Chevrolet Tahoe

"I drive a Tahoe nice"

The Chevrolet Tahoe is a large SUV that can carry many passengers and has a lot of space for cargo. It's great for driving in different weather conditions and for family trips.

Car

BMW Z3

"I have a BMW Z3. Oh right my producer Steve has one of those."

The BMW Z3 is a small sports car with two seats, made by BMW. It’s popular for its fun driving style and stylish look.

Car

Jeep Wrangler

"I have a Jeep Wrangler so I'm and an expedition."

The Jeep Wrangler is a tough, off-road vehicle that can handle rough terrain. It’s popular for outdoor adventures and has a classic, boxy shape.

Car

Ford Expedition

"so I'm and an expedition so I'm kind of"

The Ford Expedition is a big SUV that can carry a lot of people and stuff. It's great for families or anyone who needs extra space for trips or adventures.

Brand

Volkswagen

"[2180.2s] saw a lot of Volkswagen [2181.7s] a lot of Porsches"

Volkswagen is a car company from Germany that makes many popular cars, like the Beetle and Golf.

Car

Porsche 356

"[2182.7s] a lot of I saw a 356 [2184.5s] on the road on the street"

The Porsche 356 is an old sports car made by Porsche, famous for being light and fun to drive.

Car

Alfa Romeo Giulia SS

"[2186.8s] a Julia SS [2189.6s] which I didn't even know existed right"

The Alfa Romeo Giulia SS is an old sports car from Alfa Romeo, known for being light and good for racing.

Car

Chevrolet Corvair

"...it's a 64 65 they only made 1400 of them..."

The Chevrolet Corvair is a car made by Chevrolet in the 1960s. It had a different design compared to most cars at the time, with the engine located in the back. Only a small number of these cars were made in 1964 and 1965.

Car

Ford Mustang

"...how about the new arrivals this week the 2005 Ford Mustang Roush stage one convertible..."

The Ford Mustang is a popular sports car in America, famous for its powerful engines and sporty look. The 2005 version is part of a series that brings back classic design elements.

Company

Roush

"it's got the aggressive Roush styling it's it's unmistakable isn't it"

Roush is a company that makes cars and parts to make Ford vehicles faster and look more aggressive. They are well-known for their unique designs and performance upgrades.

Part

lock axle

"...it's got the track lock axle..."

A lock axle helps both wheels on a car's axle move together, which is useful when driving on slippery surfaces like mud or snow.

Car

Ford Shelby GT500

"the next car yeah the 2007 Ford Shelby GT 500 super snake takes it to the next"

The Ford Shelby GT500 is a fast sports car based on the Mustang, famous for its powerful engine and sporty design. The 2007 version is known for being very powerful and fun to drive.

Term

Super Snake

"the 2007 Ford Shelby GT 500 super snake takes it to the next"

The Super Snake is a special version of the Ford Shelby GT500 that has been upgraded to be even faster and more powerful. It has special features that make it stand out from the regular GT500.

Car

Ford Shelby

"yeah the 2007 Ford Shelby GT 500 super snake"
Term

horsepower

"...seven hundred and twenty five horse are..."

Horsepower tells you how powerful an engine is. The higher the horsepower, the faster and stronger the car can be.

Part

Tremec six-speed manual

"...have camp V8 Tremec six speed manual..."

A Tremec six-speed manual is a kind of gearbox that lets you change gears manually. It's popular in sports cars because it helps drivers have more control and can make the car faster.

Part

supercharger

"...got the Kenbell supercharger that was factory right..."

A supercharger helps an engine produce more power by pushing in extra air, which lets it burn more fuel. This makes the car faster and more powerful.

Car

Ford Mustang GTD

"again Ford Ford Roush Mustang GT 500 super snake"

The Ford Mustang GTD is a super-fast version of the classic Mustang sports car. It's built for people who love speed and want a car that performs really well on the track.

Car

Pontiac Firebird

"...but on the list is the nineteen eighty Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am I like this color"

The Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am is a sporty car from 1980 that was known for its cool looks and strong performance. It was part of a series of cars that were popular for racing and cruising.

Car

Buick Grand National

"...and then a friend handed me a key to the Grand National..."

The Buick Grand National is a special version of a Buick car that was made in the 1980s. It's famous for being fast and having a powerful engine, even though it looks pretty normal on the outside.

Car

Pontiac Trans Am

"...this at night it is trans am next up on the list is the nineteen sixty eight"

The Pontiac Trans Am is a type of car that is designed for speed and performance. The 1968 version is especially popular because of its classic look and powerful engine.

Car

Chevrolet Camaro

"...Camaro convertible cyber gray metallic over black this is a rest of my..."

The Chevrolet Camaro convertible is a type of sports car that has a roof that can be opened. It's known for being fun to drive and has a sporty design.

Term

restomod

"...this is a rest of my what is a rest of my I think everybody knows it's listening..."

A restomod is a car that has been both restored to look good and updated with new parts to make it run better. It's a way to keep the classic look while improving how the car works.

Part

LS3

"this one's four twenty seven cubic inch LS three stroker Tremac six speed"

The LS3 is a powerful V8 engine made by General Motors. It's commonly used in cars that need a lot of speed and power, like sports cars.

Car

Chevrolet Bel Air

"...the nineteen fifty seven Chevrolet Belair two door hard top Matador red and India ivory..."

The Chevrolet Bel Air is a famous car from the 1950s, known for its cool looks and classic style. The 1957 version is especially popular among collectors.

Car

American Motors Corporation (Amc) Matador

"Belair two door hard top Matador red and India ivory"
Car

Ferrari 400 I

"and bring a trailer. It was a Ferrari 400 I and it said, water only came up"

The Ferrari 400i is a fancy sports car with a powerful engine, made in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It's known for being stylish and comfortable, making it a favorite among car collectors.

Car

American Motors Corporation (Amc) Pacer

"you can't take your AMC pacer to the Mille-Mille, either. You know, I've had tw..."
Car

Jeep Grand Wagoneer

"your, you know, your Jeep Grand Wagoneer from 1989 or 91 for the last year of them"

The Jeep Grand Wagoneer is a fancy SUV that can also go off-road. It's spacious and has lots of nice features, making it a great choice for families who want both comfort and adventure.

Car

Ford Bronco

"... could have an old scout or you could have an old Bronco. Yeah. Maybe we could theme every"

The Ford Bronco is a tough SUV that people use for off-roading and outdoor adventures. It's known for its strong build and ability to handle rough terrain, making it a favorite among those who love the outdoors.

Car

Land Rover Range Rover

"...nnaissance that that morning. And I belong to the Range Rover Club here. And my favorite"

The Range Rover is a fancy SUV that can drive on tough roads and still feel very comfortable inside. It's known for its luxury features and ability to handle rough conditions, making it a popular choice for those who want both style and adventure.

Car

BMW M3

"I mean, I went and bought a BMW M3 at the local dealer and didn't even test drive it..."

The BMW M3 is a really fast and sporty car that is fun to drive. It's designed for people who want a car that can perform well on the road while still being practical for daily use.

24 cars featured

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