When the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship returns to Watkins Glen International July 1-3, 2016 for the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen, teams will have to throw out their notes from previous events, and start a new notebook.

The 3.4-mile natural road course is undergoing a complete repaving that should substantially improve the racing surface, both for sports cars and for the NASCAR series that race there; the resurfacing will improve grip and smooth out some of the bumps that have developed in the 17 years since the last repaving.

“This is a significant project for Watkins Glen International,” said Michael Printup, track president.

The improvements are part of a $35 million investment made by International Speedway Corporation to improve the racing and enhance the fan experience. The repaving itself is expected to cost around $12 million.

The repaving began with “The Boot” (the section of the Watkins Glen “long course” incorporating Turns 6, 7 and 9) in July, just after the 2015 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship completed this year’s Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen there.

Immediately following the Sprint Cup Series Cheez-It 355 on August 9, repaving began on the entire track as winner Joey Logano capped his victory by manning a Caterpillar excavator, digging up part of the front straight.

While the entire 2016 season hasn’t been announced, the track typically hosts SCCA and Vintage events, as well as the NASCAR and the WeatherTech Championship weekend, which will also include a Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge race.

Fans are able to witness the project from the Fans R1st Viewing Area in the Argetsinger Grandstand. That area will continue to be free and open to the public through the end of October. Fans also will be able to follow the progress of the project via Facebook, Twitter and www.TheGlen.com.

Follow @VAVELSportsCar for comprehensive coverage of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship and next year's IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Aaron Durant is the editor of the VAVEL USA Racing section. Follow him on Twitter at @DoubleA291.