1969 Watkins Glen F1

[aeronca65t]

I found This Video of the event.

I was there, so it's fun to see the scenes with people. Looks very much like I recall. I've sent this on to others who were with me that year.

 

[equiprx]

How's this for an addled brain.
I was at Watkins Glen for the F1 Grand Prix with, Bill Hughes a friend from work.
We drove up there from Long Island in his Fiat 850 Spyder and camped out in the Cornell University dorms with some of his friends. I must have not gotten much sleep, because the rest is a complete fog.
I can't remember if it was 1968-69 or 70.
For years, I was convinced that it was 69 and won by Jackie Stewart.
The only thing I'm sure of, is that the winner did the last few laps on three wheels with the fourth on a broken suspension part hardly in contact with the track. I was thrilled to be there and sure I would remember it the rest of my life. So much for an eyewitness account.
Can someone clear up the details for me?
Btw. I didn't see Bill, myself or the Fiat in any of the film.

 

[3798j]

How Neat. But I couldn't spot my tent or myself or my TR4A.
'69 USGP was won by Jochen Rindt. Stewart won the 1968 running.

 

[equiprx]

That makes sense, since I probably went before I got married in May of 69.
Do you know of any videos of the 68 race?

 

[aeronca65t]

I was there in '68, '69, '70 and '71.
Didn't see myself in the video either.

The first year I went in my '58 VW bug with two buddies. We were so tired and it was so late when we got there that we accidentally parked on the lawn of a marina and went to sleep in the car.
The following year I took a TR3: then a Mercedes 190D: then a 1275 Sprite.

We went to other events at The Glen back then too.

Details-'68 Watkins Glen GP

Details-'69

Details-'70

Details-'71

We were there a few years ago for an event and we went out to eat at the Seneca Lodge with several other couples.
While eating, I mentioned that my first time to The Glen was in '68.
One of the gals says; "Hey...I was here in '68 too!"
And her husband says; "Hey...I was here in '68 too!"

This was a 2nd time around marriage for them and neither of them knew this about each other. Pretty funny.

My most recent trip to Watkins Glen.

 

[DrEntropy]

I missed '70~'74, USAF had other plans for me. First trip was '68, last was '78. Missed the last F-1 Glen race due to a Buick crashing into the nose of my GTV a ~block~ from the house as we set off for NY. :madder:

 

[mike_h]

Wow, I hardly recognize the Glen. I was there a few weeks ago, so it's fresh in my old brain and I had a hard time matching that track to the "modern" one. I only started going to the Glen in the 90's, Limerock was my road course of choice in the 70's, looks like I missed a good time.

Fast forward to 2012, some of the 70's F1 cars will be at Limerock Labor Day Weekend for the fall festival. Looking forward to seeing (and hearing) them there again. It's been 10 years or so since the Historic F1s were last at the track and the first time since the new pavement.
F1/F2/FA cars are Group 4
Limerock Entry list


mike

 

[aeronca65t]

Mike:

You'll be racing with a ton of my friends. Just looking through the list and I see Paul Bova, Butch O’Connor, Ray Quaranto, Norm Berke, Tom Knorr, Mack McCormack, Michael Oritt, Bill Hollingsworth, Harry Sroka and lots of others.

I see Lulu's driving in your class. Her car is probably worth more than all the other cars in that class combined.

Should be fun to see Justin Bell racing in that BMW.

We're going up to spectate if the weather is good.
We'll be racing at the VRG / NJMP event three weeks later.

 

[mike_h]

Lulu is well named. I've been in races with her before. She was driving the first Ferrari I ever passed. It took me 5 laps to get up the courage to do it, I didn't want to screw up and trash such a pretty car.

Stop by and say hi if you make it up.

mike

 

[HealeyRick]

I was at the Glen in '69 as well for my first F1 race. Thanks for posting the link. Loved paying my $ to get into the Kendall Center to get up close to the cars.