I was going to say - yes, Super Vee was part of the support races at the Glen... cant remember all the years... but i remember them being there. Also remember Michael Andretti running a super Kart one year... think it was 77 or 78....
First GP - Watkins Glen 1975 Last GP - Austin 2015 (In between, most were races in Montreal) Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
First and last: 1980 Dutch GP, Zandvoort. Nelson Piquet took first place for Brabham-Ford. I'm not certain, but I believe it was the last year the Scuderia campaigned a 12-cylinder car, the 312T5. Gilles Villeneuve and Jody Scheckter drove for Ferrari, finishing 7th and 9th, respectively.
Ancient History for you younger folks. As a poor student at UC Berkley, i started to go down to Laguna Seca, camp in the midfield in 1964. It was an inexpensive date and costs were minimal at that time, but a hotel was way out of reach. What a blast to see your local dealer's sponsored car, some really not noteworthy, like the Saab or Volvo, but we cheered them along just the same. BMW was just starting to import their sedans into the US, but they were impressive at that time. My last F1 race was 2019 Monaco, after I convinced the SeaBourne Cruise line to schedule a stop on race day. We return this year, in May, after a Covid respite but will stay there the whole week and I am excited to see it up close once again. I wish I had younger exposure like many of you.
Yes, that definitely tested one's devotion to the sport. The 2005 USGP did not kill it for me completely (though it was a strange race weekend, we still had a nice road trip!)...the following year we decided not to make the drive from NY...and then shortly after Indy was relegated. I prefer to drive to the events, so unless Indy comes back...2005 is probably the end in terms of attending for me...not really interested in making the trek to Miami....and Montreal has become too expensive.
Long Beach GP in 79 was my first. Watched Villeneuve go coast to coast in the Ferrari 312T. I still today think its one of the most beautiful and unique F1 cars. I think my last was Singapore about 10 years ago. But my next will be Vegas 2023!
First GP was Montreal 1991. My Dad got tickets from Goodyear and by chance we stayed at the same hotel as the Goodyear guys. On Friday morning my Dad, Brother, and I were leaving the hotel and we saw some Goodyear people so we approached them to thank them for the tickets. This happened in the parking lot and they said 'lets give you a ride to the track' to which we accepted and piled into a minivan. On the way there it was raining and we arrived on the opposite side of the rowing basin behind the paddock. When we parked the Goodyear guys said 'its raining and your seats are far away. Here are some passes to get you in the paddock!!!!!!' That weekend was insane. Not only did we meet all the drivers with photos and autographs but we were introduced to Goodyear head Lee Gaug and had a nice conversation with him. We also walked the grid and were among the last people to leave. Lastly and most crazy was that our passes allowed trackside access so we watched most of the race literally on a grassy bank right next to the track exiting the hairpin. When Mansell broke down on the last lap his car literally stopped in front of us opposite the track. Somewhere I have a ton of pictures of all of this including Mansell getting out of his car literally a few feet from where we were. Last GP was Indy 2006 I was getting married so we decided to have my bachelor party at the F1 race. 6 of us rented a van and my friend got us tickets in the Borg Warner suite. Great time was had by all including running into Flavio Briatore while having dinner and being allowed to wear the Borg Warner wreath for a photo. In between were many races including the following highlights: 1992 - Pit passes again and this time I stood RIGHT next to Senna when he gave his Pole Position interview 1995 - There to hear the great Ferrari V12 and see Alesi win 1996 - Wonderful breakfast with Murray Walker. A memory I'll always cherish 1996 - Spa GP. First European F1 with a Ferrari win and lots of adventure 2000 - Spa GP. I was there to see Mika put that amazing pass on Schumacher 2000 - F1 testing at Monza 2000 - F1 testing at Silverstone 2000 - Indy. First F1 there and went with a big group which made it fun It's been a while since I've been to an F1 and I'll want to go to one soon just to catch up. I'm sure I'll be disappointed with the engine sounds but the colours are always just so vivid in real life and it is great to see the speed first hand.
I was there at Montreal in '91, too. Sitting in the Turn 1 complex stands as Mansell came by on his LAST lap and he did something a driver NEVER does.............waving to the crowd. Then, boom, goes out of the race on the other side of the course and Piquet passes him for the win.
I was following that race on TV. Mansell started to celebrate during his last lap, by slowing down and waving to the crowd. Doing so, he let the revs to drop down and that affected the hydraulics. He became unable to change gears and finally stalled the engine. Nelson Piquet who followed at a distance couldn't believe his luck seeing Mansell stranded on the side of the track, and took an unexpected win. During interviews, Piquet couldn't stop laughing about Mansell's stupidity. There was no love lost between those 2.
