Formula 1 Wiki
Don't have an account?
Register
Register
Formula 1 Wiki
Formula 1 Wiki
6,159
pages
in: Circuits, United States Grand Prix, Circuits in the United States, Circuits that Débuted in 1961

Changes: Watkins Glen International

Back to page
Edit
No edit summary
(17 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 3: Line 3:
 
|title={{USA}} Watkins Glen International
  
|title={{USA}} Watkins Glen International
 
|location=Watkins Glen, New York, United States
  
|location=Watkins Glen, New York, United States
−
|length=3.4 mi (5.4 km)
 +
|length=5.435km (3.377mi)
 
|turns=11
  
|turns=11
 
|record=1:33.291 ([[Bruno Giacomelli]], {{Alfa Romeo-CON}}, [[1980 United States Grand Prix|1980]])
  
|record=1:33.291 ([[Bruno Giacomelli]], {{Alfa Romeo-CON}}, [[1980 United States Grand Prix|1980]])
−
|firstgp=
+
|firstgp= [[1961 United States Grand Prix]]
−
|lastgp=
+
|lastgp= [[1980 United States Grand Prix]]
 
}}
  
}}
  +
'''Watkins Glen International''' is a motor racing venue found in New York State, USA, near the town of Watkins Glen.<ref name=GPC>Hamilton, Maurice, ''Grand Prix Circuits'', (Glasgow: HarperCollins, 2015), pp.92-5</ref> Commonly nicknamed "the Glen" (but actually called "Watkins" by locals), '''Watkins Glen''' hosted the [[FIA]] [[Formula One|Formula One World Championship]] for twenty seasons, from [[1961 United States Grand Prix|1961]] until [[1980 United States Grand Prix|1980]].<ref name=GPC></ref> The Glen would also be the last purpose built race circuit to host the [[United States Grand Prix]] until the completion of the [[Circuit of the Americas]] in Austin, Texas.<ref name=GPC></ref>
−
'''Watkins Glen International'' (nicknamed ''The Glen'') is a race track located in Watkins Glen, New York, United States.
  
   
  +
Racing in Watkins Glen originated on a 6.6-mile public road circuit in the local area in 1948, before an accident killed a child and injured several others in 1952. For the next three years, the race used a 4.4 mile track completely outside of town, before a purpose built closed course was completed in 1956.<ref name=Wiki>'Watkins Glen International', ''wikipedia.org'', (WikiMedia, 24/12/2015), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watkins_Glen_International, (Accessed 06/01/2016)</ref> The new circuit was chosen to host the US Grand Prix in 1961, after two financial failures at [[Sebring]] and [[Riverside]] in the previous two seasons, but its proximity to the densely populated eastern seaboard areas of the US and Canada meant that the 1961 edition of the race was a success.<ref name=Wiki></ref> The circuit became a firm favorite and the permanent home of the US Grand Prix for the next 20 years, often hosting the season finale.<ref name=Wiki></ref> But the track ran into financial problems, and after the organizers defaulted on prize money for the [[1980 United States Grand Prix|1980 race]], Watkins Glen was removed from the calendar, never to return.
⚫
==Circuit History==
  
   
  +
The popularity of the Glen saw the organisers handed several awards for the best organised [[Grand Prix]], but early developments were not replaced, and by 1980 the venue looked dated.<ref name=Wiki></ref> That year proved to be the final time that the Glen would host the US Grand Prix, and the track filed for bankruptcy the following year. It sat unused for a couple of years, but would return as a popular venue for [[w:c:motorsport:NASCAR|NASCAR]] and [[w:c:motorsport:United SportsCar Championship|United SportsCar Championship]], while also being rejuvenated with state funding.<ref name=Wiki></ref>
−
===Fatalities===
  
  +
−
{|class="wikitable" width="75%"
  
  ⚫
==Circuit History==
−
!Year
  
−
!Driver
  
⚫
|-
  
⚫
|{{F1|1973}}
  
⚫
|{{FRA}} [[François Cevert]]
  
⚫
|-
  
⚫
|{{F1|1974}}
  
⚫
|{{AUT}} [[Helmuth Koinigg]]
  
⚫
|}
  
   
 
==Circuit Layouts==
  
==Circuit Layouts==
  +
[[File:Watk1.jpg|right|thumb|Road course used from 1948-1952]]
−
===Grand Prix Course (with Inner Loop)===
  
  ⚫
===Original Public Road Course===
  +
The original course was laid out on public roads, with the start/finish and pits on the main street of the town. The course then turned right and went uphill into the rural area west of town. The track was reminiscent of the early days of racing, with more than 30 corners in its 6.6 miles, and portions of the track ran on asphalt, concrete, oiled gravel and even simple dirt, with a narrow stone bridge crossing at the far point of the track and a level railroad crossing on the back straight. After the accident that killed a small boy in 1952, it became obvious that racing down the town's main street was too dangerous, so a new track was laid out in 1953, entirely outside of town.
   
  +
[[File:Watk2.jpeg|right|thumb|Road course used from 1953-1955]]
−
===Short Course (with Inner Loop)===
  
  ⚫
===Second Public Road Course===
  +
The second course was a less demanding and interesting 4.4 mile circuit, to the southwest of the original track. Of the nine corners, five were 90° right handers, with long straight stretches in between. But this was never anything but a temporary home, while the permanent track was built, within the route of this public road course. It did have the advantage of not running down the main street of the town, and having the entire route paved. Plus it was seen as a dry run, to acclimate the neighbors to the sounds of cars that would emanate from the permanent course, under construction within these roads.
  +
  +
===First Permanent Course===
  +
[[File:Watkins Glen-1969-06-13t.jpeg|right|thumb|Course used from 1956-1970]]
  +
The first permanent course was a quick, 2.3 mile layout patterned after the original 6.6 mile road course. A short straight at the lowest part of the track was used for start/finish and the pits, which meant that the pits were among the smallest and most primitive in racing. The track went into an uphill and difficult right-left-right sequence, leading onto the Front Straight, running half a mile over the crest of a low hill. It then dipped into a slightly banked 160° sweeper (called "The Loop"), leading onto the Back Straight, even longer than the front, but with a slight left kink about {{frac|2|3}} along. Then there was a right sweeper, called "Fast Bend", followed another left hand kink, then a sharp right called "The 90". After The 90, you are back on the short start/finish straight. By [[1970 United States Grand Prix|1970]], the last year before the upgrade, lap times were getting very close to a minute, and traffic was an issue through most of the race.<br><br>Due to the straight line speeds generated by Formula Libre cars, a tight right-left-right chicane was constructed within The Loop. Known as "The Kink", it was an acknowledgement that the track was too fast for high horsepower cars. When Formula One used a 1.5 liter engine formula, The Kink was not a concern. But when 3 liter engines can into use, there were those who felt use of The Kink would be necessary. But the track management decided to allow the old circuit to be used on a year-by-year basis, and before the 1970-71 reconstruction project, it never seemed to be a serious issue.
   
 
===Grand Prix Course===
  
===Grand Prix Course===
   
 
===Grand Prix Course (with Esses Chicane)===
  
===Grand Prix Course (with Esses Chicane)===
−
Following the deaths of Formula One drivers [[François Cevert]] and [[Helmuth Koinigg]] in {{F1|1973}} and {{F1|1974}}, a chicane was added to the in which they were killed, better known as the ''Esses''. This chicane would slow the cars while traveling through this dangerous area in the track.
 +
Following the deaths of Formula One drivers [[François Cevert]] in {{F1|1973}} and [[Helmuth Koinigg]] in {{F1|1974}}, a chicane was added to the area where Cevert was killed, better known as the ''Esses''. This chicane would slow the cars while traveling through this dangerous area in the track.
   
 
After Formula One removed the track from the calendar, this chicane was removed.
  
After Formula One removed the track from the calendar, this chicane was removed.
   
  +
Current status: Used as a seven-turn road course for NASCAR.
⚫
===First Permanent Course===
  
−  
⚫
===Original Public Road Course===
  
   
 
==Formula One History==
  
==Formula One History==
Line 48: Line 46:
 
!Winning Constructor
  
!Winning Constructor
 
|-
  
|-
  +
|{{F1|1961}}
  +
|[[1961 United States Grand Prix|United States Grand Prix]]
  +
|{{GBR}} [[Innes Ireland]]
  +
|{{GBR}} {{Team Lotus-Climax}}
  ⚫
|-
  +
|{{F1|1962}}
  +
|[[1962 United States Grand Prix|United States Grand Prix]]
  +
|{{GBR}} [[Jim Clark]]
  +
|{{GBR}} {{Team Lotus-Climax}}
  ⚫
|-
  +
|{{F1|1963}}
  +
|[[1963 United States Grand Prix|United States Grand Prix]]
  +
|{{GBR}} [[Graham Hill]]
  +
|{{GBR}} {{BRM-CON}}
  ⚫
|-
  +
|{{F1|1964}}
  +
|[[1964 United States Grand Prix|United States Grand Prix]]
  +
|{{GBR}} [[Graham Hill]]
  +
|{{GBR}} {{BRM-CON}}
  +
|-
  +
|{{F1|1965}}
  +
|[[1965 United States Grand Prix|United States Grand Prix]]
  +
|{{GBR}} [[Graham Hill]]
  +
|{{GBR}} {{BRM-CON}}
  +
|-
  +
|{{F1|1966}}
  +
|[[1966 United States Grand Prix|United States Grand Prix]]
  +
|{{GBR}} [[Jim Clark]]
  +
|{{GBR}} {{Team Lotus-BRM}}
  +
|-
  +
|{{F1|1967}}
  +
|[[1967 United States Grand Prix|United States Grand Prix]]
  +
|{{GBR}} [[Jim Clark]]
  +
|{{GBR}} {{Team Lotus-Ford}}
  +
|-
  +
|{{F1|1968}}
  +
|[[1968 United States Grand Prix|United States Grand Prix]]
  +
|{{GBR}} [[Jackie Stewart]]
  +
|{{FRA}} {{Matra-Ford}}
  +
|-
  +
|{{F1|1969}}
  +
|[[1969 United States Grand Prix|United States Grand Prix]]
  ⚫
|{{AUT}} [[Jochen Rindt]]
  +
|{{GBR}} {{Team Lotus-Ford}}
  +
|-
  +
|{{F1|1970}}
  +
|[[1970 United States Grand Prix|United States Grand Prix]]
  +
|{{BRA}} [[Emerson Fittipaldi]]
  +
|{{GBR}} {{Team Lotus-Ford}}
  +
|-
  +
|{{F1|1971}}
  +
|[[1971 United States Grand Prix|United States Grand Prix]]
  ⚫
|{{FRA}} [[François Cevert]]
  +
|{{GBR}} {{Tyrrell-Ford}}
  +
|-
  +
|{{F1|1972}}
  +
|[[1972 United States Grand Prix|United States Grand Prix]]
  +
|{{GBR}} [[Jackie Stewart]]
  +
|{{GBR}} {{Tyrrell-Ford}}
  +
|-
  ⚫
|{{F1|1973}}
  +
|[[1973 United States Grand Prix|United States Grand Prix]]
  +
|{{SWE}} [[Ronnie Peterson]]
  +
|{{GBR}} {{Team Lotus-Ford}}
  +
|-
  ⚫
|{{F1|1974}}
  +
|[[1974 United States Grand Prix|United States Grand Prix]]
  +
|{{ARG}} [[Carlos Reutemann]]
  +
|{{GBR}} {{Brabham-Ford}}
  +
|-
  +
|{{F1|1975}}
  +
|[[1975 United States Grand Prix|United States Grand Prix]]
  +
|{{AUT}} [[Niki Lauda]]
  +
|{{ITA}} {{Ferrari-CON}}
  +
|-
  +
|{{F1|1976}}
  +
|[[1976 United States Grand Prix|United States Grand Prix]]
  +
|{{GBR}} [[James Hunt]]
  +
|{{GBR}} {{McLaren-Ford}}
  +
|-
  +
|{{F1|1977}}
  +
|[[1977 United States Grand Prix|United States Grand Prix]]
  +
|{{GBR}} [[James Hunt]]
  +
|{{GBR}} {{McLaren-Ford}}
  +
|-
  +
|{{F1|1978}}
  +
|[[1978 United States Grand Prix|United States Grand Prix]]
  +
|{{ARG}} [[Carlos Reutemann]]
  +
|{{ITA}} {{Ferrari-CON}}
  +
|-
  +
|{{F1|1979}}
  +
|[[1979 United States Grand Prix|United States Grand Prix]]
  +
|{{CAN}} [[Gilles Villeneuve]]
  +
|{{ITA}} {{Ferrari-CON}}
  +
|-
  +
|{{F1|1980}}
  +
|[[1980 United States Grand Prix|United States Grand Prix]]
  +
|{{AUS}} [[Alan Jones]]
  +
|{{GBR}} {{Williams-Ford}}
 
|}
  
|}
  +
  +
==References==
  +
Images:
  +
*
  +
References:
  +
{{Reflist}}
  +
{{Wiki banner bottom}}{{Circuits}}{{United States Grand Prix}}
  +
[[Category:Circuits]]
 
[[Category:United States Grand Prix]]
  
[[Category:United States Grand Prix]]
  +
[[Category:Circuits in the United States]]
  +
[[Category:Circuits that Débuted in 1961]]

Revision as of 01:38, 15 February 2020

Watkins Glen International is a motor racing venue found in New York State, USA, near the town of Watkins Glen.[1] Commonly nicknamed "the Glen" (but actually called "Watkins" by locals), Watkins Glen hosted the FIA Formula One World Championship for twenty seasons, from 1961 until 1980.[1] The Glen would also be the last purpose built race circuit to host the United States Grand Prix until the completion of the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.[1]

Racing in Watkins Glen originated on a 6.6-mile public road circuit in the local area in 1948, before an accident killed a child and injured several others in 1952. For the next three years, the race used a 4.4 mile track completely outside of town, before a purpose built closed course was completed in 1956.[2] The new circuit was chosen to host the US Grand Prix in 1961, after two financial failures at Sebring and Riverside in the previous two seasons, but its proximity to the densely populated eastern seaboard areas of the US and Canada meant that the 1961 edition of the race was a success.[2] The circuit became a firm favorite and the permanent home of the US Grand Prix for the next 20 years, often hosting the season finale.[2] But the track ran into financial problems, and after the organizers defaulted on prize money for the 1980 race, Watkins Glen was removed from the calendar, never to return.

The popularity of the Glen saw the organisers handed several awards for the best organised Grand Prix, but early developments were not replaced, and by 1980 the venue looked dated.[2] That year proved to be the final time that the Glen would host the US Grand Prix, and the track filed for bankruptcy the following year. It sat unused for a couple of years, but would return as a popular venue for NASCAR and United SportsCar Championship, while also being rejuvenated with state funding.[2]

Circuit History

Circuit Layouts

Watk1

Road course used from 1948-1952

Original Public Road Course

The original course was laid out on public roads, with the start/finish and pits on the main street of the town. The course then turned right and went uphill into the rural area west of town. The track was reminiscent of the early days of racing, with more than 30 corners in its 6.6 miles, and portions of the track ran on asphalt, concrete, oiled gravel and even simple dirt, with a narrow stone bridge crossing at the far point of the track and a level railroad crossing on the back straight. After the accident that killed a small boy in 1952, it became obvious that racing down the town's main street was too dangerous, so a new track was laid out in 1953, entirely outside of town.

Watk2

Road course used from 1953-1955

Second Public Road Course

The second course was a less demanding and interesting 4.4 mile circuit, to the southwest of the original track. Of the nine corners, five were 90° right handers, with long straight stretches in between. But this was never anything but a temporary home, while the permanent track was built, within the route of this public road course. It did have the advantage of not running down the main street of the town, and having the entire route paved. Plus it was seen as a dry run, to acclimate the neighbors to the sounds of cars that would emanate from the permanent course, under construction within these roads.

First Permanent Course

Watkins Glen-1969-06-13t

Course used from 1956-1970

The first permanent course was a quick, 2.3 mile layout patterned after the original 6.6 mile road course. A short straight at the lowest part of the track was used for start/finish and the pits, which meant that the pits were among the smallest and most primitive in racing. The track went into an uphill and difficult right-left-right sequence, leading onto the Front Straight, running half a mile over the crest of a low hill. It then dipped into a slightly banked 160° sweeper (called "The Loop"), leading onto the Back Straight, even longer than the front, but with a slight left kink about 2⁄3 along. Then there was a right sweeper, called "Fast Bend", followed another left hand kink, then a sharp right called "The 90". After The 90, you are back on the short start/finish straight. By 1970, the last year before the upgrade, lap times were getting very close to a minute, and traffic was an issue through most of the race.

Due to the straight line speeds generated by Formula Libre cars, a tight right-left-right chicane was constructed within The Loop. Known as "The Kink", it was an acknowledgement that the track was too fast for high horsepower cars. When Formula One used a 1.5 liter engine formula, The Kink was not a concern. But when 3 liter engines can into use, there were those who felt use of The Kink would be necessary. But the track management decided to allow the old circuit to be used on a year-by-year basis, and before the 1970-71 reconstruction project, it never seemed to be a serious issue.

Grand Prix Course

Grand Prix Course (with Esses Chicane)

Following the deaths of Formula One drivers François Cevert in 1973 and Helmuth Koinigg in 1974, a chicane was added to the area where Cevert was killed, better known as the Esses. This chicane would slow the cars while traveling through this dangerous area in the track.

After Formula One removed the track from the calendar, this chicane was removed.

Current status: Used as a seven-turn road course for NASCAR.

Formula One History

Year Event Winning Driver Winning Constructor
1961 United States Grand Prix United Kingdom Innes Ireland United Kingdom Lotus-Climax
1962 United States Grand Prix United Kingdom Jim Clark United Kingdom Lotus-Climax
1963 United States Grand Prix United Kingdom Graham Hill United Kingdom BRM
1964 United States Grand Prix United Kingdom Graham Hill United Kingdom BRM
1965 United States Grand Prix United Kingdom Graham Hill United Kingdom BRM
1966 United States Grand Prix United Kingdom Jim Clark United Kingdom Lotus-BRM
1967 United States Grand Prix United Kingdom Jim Clark United Kingdom Lotus-Ford
1968 United States Grand Prix United Kingdom Jackie Stewart France Matra-Ford
1969 United States Grand Prix Austria Jochen Rindt United Kingdom Lotus-Ford
1970 United States Grand Prix Brazil Emerson Fittipaldi United Kingdom Lotus-Ford
1971 United States Grand Prix France François Cevert United Kingdom Tyrrell-Ford
1972 United States Grand Prix United Kingdom Jackie Stewart United Kingdom Tyrrell-Ford
1973 United States Grand Prix Sweden Ronnie Peterson United Kingdom Lotus-Ford
1974 United States Grand Prix Argentina Carlos Reutemann United Kingdom Brabham-Ford
1975 United States Grand Prix Austria Niki Lauda Italy Ferrari
1976 United States Grand Prix United Kingdom James Hunt United Kingdom McLaren-Ford
1977 United States Grand Prix United Kingdom James Hunt United Kingdom McLaren-Ford
1978 United States Grand Prix Argentina Carlos Reutemann Italy Ferrari
1979 United States Grand Prix Canada Gilles Villeneuve Italy Ferrari
1980 United States Grand Prix Australia Alan Jones United Kingdom Williams-Ford

References

Images:

References:

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Hamilton, Maurice, Grand Prix Circuits, (Glasgow: HarperCollins, 2015), pp.92-5
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 'Watkins Glen International', wikipedia.org, (WikiMedia, 24/12/2015), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watkins_Glen_International, (Accessed 06/01/2016)
v·d·e Nominate this page for Featured Article
V T E Circuits
Adelaide • Aida • Ain-Diab • Aintree • Albert Park • Algarve • Anderstorp • Austin • AVUS • Baku • Barcelona • Boavista • Brands Hatch • Bremgarten • Buddh • Buenos Aires • Caesars Palace • Clermont-Ferrand • Dallas • Detroit • Dijon • Donington • Estoril • Fuji • Hanoi • Hockenheim • Hungaroring • Igora Drive • Imola • Indianapolis • Interlagos • Istanbul • Jacarepaguá • Jarama • Jeddah • Jerez • Kyalami • Le Mans • Long Beach • Losail • Magny-Cours • Marina Bay • Mexico City • Miami • Monsanto • Monte Carlo • Montjuïc • Mont-Tremblant • Montreal • Monza • Mosport • Mugello • Nivelles-Baulers • Nürburgring • Paul Ricard • Pedralbes • Pescara • Phoenix • Port Imperial • Prince George • Red Bull Ring • Reims • Riverside • Rouen • Sakhir • Sebring • Sepang • Shanghai • Silverstone • Sochi • Spa-Francorchamps • Suzuka • Valencia • Watkins Glen • Yas Marina • Yeongam • Zandvoort • Zeltweg • Zolder
Other Circuits
Brooklands • Davidstow • Fiorano • Goodwood • Linas-Montlhéry • Ontario • Oulton Park • Pau • Posillipo • Ricardo Tormo • Snetterton • Solitude • Syracuse • Vallelunga • Westmead • Las Vegas
Bold indicates a circuit on the 2022 calendar.
The Red Bull Ring was previously known as the "A1-Ring" and before that the "Österreichring".
V T E United States United States Grand Prix
Circuits Sebring (1959), Riverside (1960), Watkins Glen (1961–1980), Phoenix (1989–1991), Indianapolis (2000–2007), Austin (2012–present)
CircuitoftheAmericas2012
Formula One Races 1959 • 1960 • 1961 • 1962 • 1963 • 1964 • 1965 • 1966 • 1967 • 1968 • 1969 • 1970 • 1971 • 1972 • 1973 • 1974 • 1975 • 1976 • 1977 • 1978 • 1979 • 1980 • 1981–1988 • 1989 • 1990 • 1991 • 1992–1999 • 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008–2011 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016 • 2017 • 2018 • 2019 • 2020 • 2021 • 2022 • 2023
Non-F1 races 1908 • 1909 • 1910 • 1911 • 1912 • 1913 • 1914 • 1915 • 1916 • 1917–1957 • 1958
See also Miami Grand Prix • Las Vegas Grand Prix • United States Grand Prix West • Indianapolis 500 • Detroit Grand Prix • Caesars Palace Grand Prix • Dallas Grand Prix • Questor Grand Prix
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.