Fans of early U.S. road racing might enjoy this old gem from 1972, a 30 minute video looking at the first 25 years of racing at Watkins Glen. Narrated by Brock Yates and sponsored by British Leyland, the program includes short takes on the track by some drivers you may have heard of, along with in depth interviews with some of the important folks in the Glen's early history. There is also plenty of racing footage. There's even an amusing opening commercial for the Triumph Spitfire.


Thanks to Tim Suddard, publisher of Grass Roots Motorsports, for getting the OK from Jaguar to post the video on YouTube.
Enjoy.

 

Thanks for posting the video Mike. I feel lots of connection with that video. To start, my first sports car was a Triumph Spitfire, purchased new in Paris, France July 1963.



The last picture of my 1960 MGA before it was totaled in 2004 coming home from the Glen races was taken crossing the Stone Bridge by a professional.



That MGA purchased for $200 and restored, provided over 100,000 miles of memories over the 32 years I drove it.






I’ve driven the original course a number of times. I never raced the new course but I’ve driven it and crewed for vintage race teams racing there. I’ve met the likes of Fitch, Miliken, Hill, Mario, Stewart, etc. Heck, I was with Hobbs just last month. My last Grand Prix visit was 1976.



Like you I love that area and that city.

 

I grew up about 30 minutes from Watkins Glen in Penn Yan at the north end of Keuka Lake, the next lake over (west) from Seneca Lake. Yes, I still love that area and the small lakeside towns like the Glen, Hammondsport, Canandaigua, Ithica, etc. When ever I visit the area I am reminded of its beauty, especially in the early fall (but never between Holloween and Easter.)

 

Thank you both for sharing the above.

My only addition to this can be the Spring Fling event in 2006. When Triple H (Doug) arranged us to do "Parade Laps" around the Watkins Glen Circuit during the lunch break when the Porsche Club had the track rented for the weekend. Little did everyone know that Doug knew the pace car driver and had arranged for our group to go last of the three "Parade Lap Groups". Many of the people that attended Spring Fling thought it would be a yawn to drive around the Watkins Glen Circuit at parade lap speeds of 25-30 MPH and blew off the opportunity to do so. Little did they or the people that signed up for the parade laps know that Doug had arranged something special for us.

We sat in the paddock and watched the first two groups of mini vans, sedans and station wagons do their parade laps. Then as we were the last group to go, we pulled out on to the track and the pace car took off. As fate would have it, I was in the back of the pack and stuck to the rule about NO PASSING. We did several laps at speed. Because I was in the back of the pack and stuck to the rule about not passing I was only able to hit 103 MPH on the straight. I understand that some of the people up front were able to go into the high 120's. Barbara was freaked out a bit and stated: "I did not know it was going to be like this?" Me with a smile on my face from ear to ear stated: "Neither did I".

Afterwards, the people that blew off the parade laps to go shopping where really "bummed out" to learn what they had missed.

 

Oh yeah, that would have been fun.

 

Haha
... and we had one red S in the group that took the liberty to pass freely at speed! LOL

 

"72 was my first of many GPs at the Glen ( actually there were only 9 more and I was at them all, with many important memories)

Found a watching spot and saw Jackie Stewart kick up the bit of dust at the same spot at the edge of the track again and again at speed. Incredible precision from Lap 1.

When the Mod Scot found his groove early he couldn't be caught.

 

What a fascinating and entertaining video. Thanks for sharing it, Mike!

I'd forgotten what a dorky looking guy Brock Yates was.
I sure miss reading that old curmudgeon's prose every month!

Now Jackie Stewart -- that was one COOL cat.

 

..... and we were both lucky that I instinctively checked my right mirror before diving into the right apex at the "bus strop" chicane.