Click here for some pictures of the weekend .

This was my first venture to Watkins Glen and the SVRA US Vintage Grand Prix event. It will not be my last. This is an excellent event. One of the things I enjoy about Vintage racing is the sense of History these events have. Watkins Glen reeks of road racing history. You can feel it in the air, much like Road America, or Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Thursdays' practice were learning sessions for me. The track has some corners that, at first, offer a choice of gears. I learned, as the weekend progressed and I came "up to speed" that this really isnt true, cept for the hairpin in the boot. You mess up on the entry and you are grabbing second gear in a hurry..but after some practice I managed to negotiate this corner in third although wishing I had a 2 1/2 gear at some times.

Friday's sessions went better as I became familiar with the track but what I remember most about Friday was the Grand Prix festival in downtown Watkins Glen, especially the two laps the race cars got to take following the old road course through the city streets. Exiting town with, literally thousands of people standing on the curbs, reaching out, trying to almost touch cars was quite an experience. Then, coming back into town, the same thing. A tunnel of people on both sides of the street, waving, cheering, inches away. It was unbelievable. Just that made the trip. (well, almost)

Saturday we had rain for our "qualifying" race. I managed to move the #55 Bugeye from 18th at the start to 9th. I actually enjoy racing in the rain, although I did have one "close encounter" with Bob Fairbanks in a Cooper S. He was driving an unfamiliar car and was not used to the mirrors, thank god for peripheral vison! I has headed straight for his passenger side door as he turned into corner one and I was still going straight on the inside attempting a pass. I cranked the wheel, stomped on the brakes and, with the wet track, still went straight. He saw me just in time and twitched the wheel enough to miss me. Thanks Bob. He came over later and said, "I dont have to apologize, but I will." Great guy.

I feel pretty good about how the Team Thicko Bugeye did at Watkins Glen. I managed to cut some time off each session and believe I had the quickest time of the 5 Bugeyes competeing. In the Sunday race, I managed to get out in front of the Group 1D cars and looked like I may be able to come home with a first when I got pushed out onto the rumble strips in corner one. By the time I had the car back in shape and on the track, three 1D cars had passed me. Two laps left. I managed to catch and pass Chris Gross in a beautiful red Bugeye. The Sunbeam Imp of Louis Rose and the '49 MG TC of Wm Hollingsworth were too far ahead to catch by this time. I almost had the MG but ran out of laps.( I know...sounds familiar, right?)

It was a great race, everyone came home safe and a great time was had by all. It was great meeting some of the "east" coast racers, especially Roger Garnett, whom I pitted with, and Doug Meis of Team Escargot. Numerous others..but memory...bla bla bla...

Anyway.....We will be back!