In 1953 the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Corporation moved the circuit to a spot six miles southwest of the village, very close to where the circuit is presently located, and racing continued on public roads for three more years. In 1956 the 2.3 mile permanent circuit was constructed on land purchased by the Grand Prix Corporation. In 1971 the circuit was modified by widening the roads, relocating the start/finish line, and lengthening the course to 3.377 miles with the addition of the one mile boot configuration. The World Championship United States Grand Prix for Formula I cars was staged here from 1961 through 1980, and NASCAR’s Winston Cup has been an annual fixture since 1986. The circuit has been owned and operated by Watkins Glen International, Inc. since 1983. Over the years the course has been the site of Formula I Grand Prix, SCCA and IMSA World Championship endurance racing, USAC and CART Indianapolis car racing, NASCAR stock car racing, and motorcycle racing. More name drivers in a variety of races have competed at Watkins Glen than at any other circuit in the world, including Mario Andretti, Geoff Bodine, Jack Brabham, Jimmy Clark, Mark Donohue, Dale Earnhardt, Bill Elliott, Emerson Fittipaldi, A. J. Foyt, Dan Gurney, Jim Hall, Graham Hill, Phil Hill, Al Holbert, Jacky Ickx, Niki Lauda, Bruce McLaren, Stirling Moss, Paul Newman, Richard Petty, Brian Redman, Jochen Rindt, Jackie Stewart, John Surtees, Al Unser, Sr., Bobby Unser, Giles Villeneuve, and Darrell Waltrip.