HamBar06 Loc: Philadelphia, PA

In 1968 a friend and I had Press Passes to the races which gave us access to the pits and areas close to the track. It was a really exciting afternoon with tons of fans and some pretty close to mishap situations. I have not kept all my photos, but these are among my favorites. I hope you enjoy looking.

Brief background info:
Watkins Glen is a village and census-designated place in, and the county seat of Schuyler County, New York, The Glen Watkins lies within the towns of Dix and Reading,NY. Southwest of the village is the Watkins Glen International race track, which hosts annual NASCAR Cup Series and Weathertech Sports Car Championship races, and formerly hosted the Formula One United States Grand Prix and various Indy Car races.
Settlement of the village began in 1791. First named "Jefferson" in 1842, the village was renamed in 1852 to honor Dr. Samuel Watkins. Watkins' older brother brother John purchased property around the gorge in 1794 and after his brother's death, Samuel Watkins inherited the property and spent four decades building up the area with roads, shops and a hotel.
Watkins Glen International, nicknamed "The Glen", is an automobile race track in the town of Dix, southwest of the Village, at the southern tip of Seneca Lake. It was long known around the world as the home of the Formula One United States Grand Prix, which it hosted for twenty consecutive years, but the site has also been home to road racing of nearly every class, including the World Sportscar Championship, Trans-Am, Can-Am, NASCAR Cup Series, the International Motor Sports Association and the IndyCar Series.

Some information on my favorite driver at the time: Mario Gabriele Andretti (born February 28, 1940), an Italian-born American racing driver. One of the most successful drivers in the history of motorsports, Andretti is one of only two drivers to have won races in Formula One, IndyCar, the World Sportscar Championship, and NASCAR (the other being Dan Gurney)
Mario Andretti and his twin brother Aldo were born in Montona, Istria (now Motovun, Croatia). Istria was then part of the Kingdom of Italy, but it was annexed by Yugoslavia at the end of World War II, by the Treaty of Paris and Treaty of Osimo. The Andretti family left in 1948, during the Istrian–Dalmatian exodus, ending up in a refugee camp in Lucca, Italy.
Three years later, Andretti's father obtained a U.S. visa, and in 1955, the Andretti family emigrated to the U.S., settling in Nazareth Pennsylvania.
Andretti's ambition was to compete in Formula One. By 1968 Andretti felt he was ready and the young American took the pole position on his debut at the 1968 United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen in his Lotus 49.

Falls and Swimming Hole at Watkins Glen.


Thousands of Spectators inside the track.


Spectators pre-race outside track.


Who needs a ticket when I have a great view.


Celebrity Mechanics Smokey Drolet & Anita Taylor with groupies.


Pre-race: Helmet on car.


Frantic work at pitstop where seconds count.


Steve McQueen getting ready with Photographers clicking.


Interview with a competitor (name unkown).


Close view into Andretti's Car.

INbirder

The unknown driver’s name is Pedro Rodrigues from Mexico.

HamBar06 Loc: Philadelphia, PA

Sincere thanks for the ID. I have reached the age where my memory needs all the help available.
Hope you enjoyed the mental trip.
Larry B.

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

What a fantastic day you must have had Larry!

Don

HamBar06 Loc: Philadelphia, PA

Hi Don,
Yes it was a pretty great day there. Fun to be so close to the mechanic pits and the track. Incredible noise down at that location. Glad you enjoyed the photos.
Larry B.

Bubalola Loc: Big Apple, NY

Very interesting set, Larry! Put on some more like this!

HamBar06 Loc: Philadelphia, PA

Hello,
I only have one other set (somewhere in archive) of auto racing; this one is from Sebring Florida. Eventually, I will find it and see if it's worth sharing.
Thank you for your comment.
Larry B.