October 6, 1973 Francois

I was there. Spent about an hour in his garage talking BS. Seemed like every minute another beautiful woman would come up to him, I felt like chopped liver. I believe his sister is/was married to JP Beltoise. When Jackie returned to the pits, he grabbed Helen, and another woman. Later I was told it was Francois' sister. Worst day of my life as a professional photographer.

Most in the garage that day felt he would be WDC the next year.

My photo of FC at the Glen that day:
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I was there too... but a kid. I talked to Jackie Stewart about that day last year, and he said that it was terrible going back to the hotel, to pack his stuff and carrying the suitcase in their car back to NYC. they were going to go to Niagra falls! driving over there.

 

Watching "F1 Legends" on TV, this time Jackie, you could see it was a really bad day for all, especially him.

Had breakfast with Jackie Stewart in Indianapolis for the 500 when he became an ABC TV sports announcer, I told him I was there that day. In fact, when he signed my photo of him that day, he stated it was one, if not, the worse day of his life.

 

I wish I was old enough to know some of these people in their prime. Watching the documentary 1, his quote on loving everything motor racing sticks with me every day and inspired me. He truly had talent.

 

Poignant photo....

I too was there that day standing on the roof of the Paddock club. Could not tell which Tyrrell was under the rail, as only the rear wing was left showing...

 

i was standing at the armco just on the other side of the track.
it happened so fast, as most accidents do, i wasn't sure what occurred.

what was interesting was i had taken a shot of jackie stewart the week before at mosport.
he was waving to the crowd. i never dreamed this would be his last race.

 

Huh? I wasn't even born? What is this thread even about? Have no idea from any of the posts

 

Let's not forget that 40 years ago today -- October 6, 1974 -- another F1 competitor died at Watkins Glen, in nearly the same place. Austrian driver Helmuth Koinigg.

 

Same track, but not the same place. Cervert's crash was in the esses (turns 3). Koinigg's crash was at the toe of the boot (turn 7). The problem was the same, as both cars submarined under the barrier.

 

Anniversary of Francois Cevert's fatal accident in 1973 which prompted Jackie Stewarts retirement

 

I'll never forget, I was there that day; my very first F1 race.

 

I was at that race too! been to every gp at watkins glen since 1968... to 1980.

we were standing right by where Koineggs accident was... I remember the ambulance coming and taking out a big white sheet putting over the car and all the corner workers standing with their back to another smaller white sheet... later to find out it was his helmet with his decapitated head in it... many years later I was at Detroit taking pictures and was talking to a corner worker - we talked about the Glen, and he told me about being the first one to go pick up his helmet- when he realized he was still in it.. horrible accident.

Cevert was's was much the same. the Glen got a bad rep after that.

 

doubt it was the Paddock Club... since it did not exist then, but you may mean the pit - garage area with all the flags...

 

Its not a post about Hamilton so don't worry yourself

 

Not that close; we were in the grandstands right after the 90˚ right hander as they climbed the hill...

 

The original Paddock club building overlooked the esses and was built in 1967. I think it was renamed several times over the years (Onyx or Glen Club springs to mind). It had a flat roof that you could spectate from. It is gone now, replaced by a new building.

Edit:

Went and looked it up.....the old one burned down.
http://www.theglen.com/Articles/2007/03/Watkins-Glen-Loses-Historic-Club-In-Fire.aspx

 

I don't car what anyone says, that's ****ing funny!

Cheers,
Ian

 

Hamilton who?

 

exactly ron.

thank you for posting your amazing period pictures. cevert will be remembered like giles...taken too soon and one that would have been one of the greats

 

You are very welcome.

 

+1, these photos are fantastic and really bring back memories of when I became a Formula 1 fan in the early 1970s. Too many of the greats like Cevert, Villenueve, Donohue, Clark, Rindt and Peterson were taken down in the prime of their career. Thankfully the sport is much safer, but as we saw this weekend it is still a sport where tragedy still may occur.

 

oh the old pits building... got it I remember it well! with the little dunlop gangway over the track... that used to be the old " race control" ... I thought you ment the kendall center ... being on the roof there would not have shown much!

 

some glen pics...
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Awesome pictures of 2 of my favorite F1 cars; Regga in the 312B3 and Emmo in the Lotus 72!

 

Tom, add these to the Official Photo Thread in "Racing, Other". Would be great additions.

Are you Greek?