What Is 2008 Six Hours of Watkins Glen

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2008 Six Hours of Watkins Glen was a 6-hour endurance sports car race held on July 6, 2008, at Watkins Glen International in New York. It was part of the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and won by the #66 De Ferran Motorsport Acura ARX-02a driven by Gil de Ferran and Simon Pagenaud.

Key Facts

The race took place on July 6, 2008, at Watkins Glen International in New York.
It was the fifth round of the 2008 American Le Mans Series season.
The winning car was the #66 Acura ARX-02a, driven by Gil de Ferran and Simon Pagenaud.
De Ferran Motorsport completed 147 laps, covering approximately 698 miles.
The LMP2 class was won by the #20 Dyson Racing Porsche RS Spyder driven by Marino Franchitti and Butch Leitzinger.

Overview

The 2008 Six Hours of Watkins Glen was a major endurance race in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), held at the historic Watkins Glen International circuit in upstate New York. As the fifth round of the 2008 ALMS season, it attracted top sports car teams and drivers from around the world, competing across multiple prototype and GT classes.

The race tested teams' durability and strategy over a grueling six-hour period, combining high-speed road course racing with demanding pit coordination and driver changes. With variable weather and intense competition, the event highlighted the technical and physical challenges of endurance motorsport.

July 6, 2008: The race was held on this date, marking the 36th running of the Watkins Glen endurance event in various forms since its inception in the 1950s.
147 laps: The winning #66 Acura completed this many circuits of the 4.75-mile track, covering approximately 698 miles under mixed weather conditions.
LMP1 victory: The #66 De Ferran Motorsport Acura ARX-02a secured its first major win, driven by Brazilian Gil de Ferran and Frenchman Simon Pagenaud.
ALMS standings impact: The result moved Acura closer to Audi in the manufacturers' championship, intensifying the prototype rivalry.
Track conditions: Rain early in the race led to multiple pit stops for tire changes, testing team adaptability and driver skill.

How It Works

The Six Hours of Watkins Glen follows the format of endurance racing, where teams of drivers share a single car over a fixed duration. Success depends on speed, fuel efficiency, tire management, and seamless pit operations under pressure.

LMP1 Class: The top-tier prototype category featured factory-backed entries like Acura and Audi. These cars produced over 600 horsepower and reached top speeds above 200 mph on the Glen's backstretch.
LMP2 Class: Slightly smaller and less powerful than LMP1, the #20 Dyson Racing Porsche RS Spyder won this class, completing 144 laps with drivers Marino Franchitti and Butch Leitzinger.
GT2 Class: The #62 Risi Competizione Ferrari F430 won with drivers Mika Salo and Jaime Melo, showcasing superior handling and consistency over six hours.
Pit stops: Each stop required four tire changes, fueling, and driver changes, with top teams achieving under 20 seconds per stop.
Driver rotation: Most teams used two drivers, each averaging three-hour stints, requiring intense focus and physical endurance.
Weather strategy: Early rain forced teams to switch to wet tires, and some gained positions by anticipating the timing of the downpour.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares key performance metrics across the top-finishing teams in the 2008 Six Hours of Watkins Glen:

Car #	Team	Class	Car Model	Laps Completed
#66	De Ferran Motorsport	LMP1	Acura ARX-02a	147
#20	Dyson Racing	LMP2	Porsche RS Spyder	144
#62	Risi Competizione	GT2	Ferrari F430	137
#4	Corvette Racing	GT1	Chevrolet Corvette C6.R	136
#15	Polyphony Team Goh	LMP1	HPD ARX-01b	135

This comparison highlights the dominance of the Acura in the LMP1 class, finishing three laps ahead of the best LMP2 car. The gap between GT1 and GT2 reflects differences in vehicle performance and team strategy, with factory-backed Corvette Racing narrowly edging out privateer teams.

Why It Matters

The 2008 Six Hours of Watkins Glen was a pivotal moment in the American Le Mans Series, influencing manufacturer rivalries and championship standings. It also demonstrated the growing competitiveness of American-built prototypes like the Acura ARX-02a against European powerhouses.

Manufacturer rivalry: Acura's win intensified the battle with Audi, marking a shift in prototype racing dominance in North America.
Endurance legacy: Watkins Glen has hosted endurance races since 1948, and the 2008 event continued its storied tradition.
Driver recognition: Gil de Ferran, a former IndyCar champion, proved his versatility by winning a major sports car race.
Team strategy: De Ferran Motorsport's flawless pit execution under pressure became a model for future endurance campaigns.
Weather impact: The rain-to-dry conditions tested adaptability, separating top teams from the field.
Global appeal: International drivers and manufacturers underscored the event's significance in the global motorsport calendar.

The 2008 race remains a benchmark for endurance racing excellence, combining drama, technical prowess, and historical continuity at one of America's most iconic circuits.