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by Dennis David | |
Joining the contingent of Formula 1 cars was the number 1 Kurtis-Offy Midget of USAC National Champion Rodger Ward, the only American-built and American-driven entry. Ward's car had an underpowered engine (1.7 liters to 2.5 for the F1 cars), separate gear-change levers for the two-speed gearbox and two-speed rear end, and an outboard handbrake. Ward explained how his participation in the race came about by saying, "Ullman called me up and invited me to race in the Grand Prix. He offered me some money, and I was in the habit of accepting money, so I told him I'd bring the midget."
The upcoming race had all of the makings of a classic three man duel between Jack Brabham, Stirling Moss and Tony Brooks. Each had a chance for the championship but after various mechanical gremlins retarded the progress of the main antagonists, the race belonged to a young New Zealander by the name of Bruce McLaren. With his fourth place, Brabham took the title from Brooks and Moss in that order. The race had started with 19 entries including Roger Ward in his hopelessly out-classed Kurtis-Offy Midget and proved a financial disaster. For the following year the event was moved across the country to Riverside, California but the crowds were still disappointing. The title had already been decided in Brabham's favor which did nothing to help the attendance.
![]() Finally the race produced a small profit and settled into its traditional October date. The championship in 1962 was a hard fought duel between Jimmy Clark and Graham Hill. Ferrari again was a no show, this time their absence was due to their poor season rather than a tragedy though for Enzo Ferrari they may well have amounted to the same thing! Jim Clark won the race but Hill who finished second would go on and claim his first title in season ending South African Grand Prix. 1963 saw Hill return the favor but in an act of symmetry it was Clarks turn to win his first title. Hill would win the next two years followed by another win for Clark. Finally in 1968 the race was one by another driver by the name of Jackie Stewart. That year the race was run between the Canadian and South African Grands Prix. 1969 the race was won by Jochen Rindt but the following year he was tragically killed at Monza and not able to defend his title. That job was assumed by the young Brazilian Emerson Fittipaldi. With his victory the Championship was awarded posthumously to Rindt. The 1971-72 races were won by Tyrrell with Francois Cevert and Jackie Stewart driving respectively but the race in 1973 saw its first fatality when Cevert was killed during practice.
Tyrrell withdrew their remaining car and Jackie Stewart would never race again. 1974 saw the World Championship go to Fittipaldi as he drove to a conservative fourth place. It was Niki Lauda's turn the next year.
Holding a Formula One race became more and more expensive and soon was out of reach for Watkins Glen. The race was moved to a parking lot next to Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. The Grand Prix that had raced in the streets of Monte Carlo and the forests of Spa and the Nurburgring now found itself amongst the Winnebagos of middle America. After two years this humiliation was ended only to be followed by further indignities at Detroit, Dallas and Phoenix. Meanwhile Long Beach which continued to enjoy some access also found the price tag too dear and converted to Indy Cars after 1983. Soon it all ended and Grand Prix racing was once again absent from these shores.
On 25 May 2010, Austin, Texas, was awarded the race on a ten-year contract, as Ecclestone and event promoter Full Throttle Productions agreed to a deal beginning in 2012. The event is being held on a purpose-built new track, which was named Circuit of the Americas. ![]() |
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