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| Jean-Pierre Jarier, Clay Regazzoni, Hans Stuck and John Watson coming off Turn #10 |
My new book, "Echoes From The Glen", Reflections of Race Fans After Forty Years is nearing completion. It has been a long time coming but it is worth it. I'm pleased to have contributions to the book from fans every bit as enthusiastic about racing at the "Glen" as I am.
I will finish the final chapter in November after I've had time to personally visit with a gentleman in New York that has been to every major race at Watkins Glen since 1959! His stories should be the icing on the cake for the book that includes memories from "Bud Man", Jeff Washburn and a summary of 40 years of adventures of The Pabst Blue Ribbon Gang by Patrick McCabe.
The book is centered around photos I took at the 1976 Formula 1 race including pictures of Niki Lauda and James Hunt who were locked in a battle for the world championship. It is also the season that was the subject of Ron Howard's 2013 movie "Rush" that relives the epic story of the 1976 season. And the book explains through personal accounts from fans what it was like to attend a major race at the Glen forty or more years ago.
Here' an excerpt from my book that may have you thinking about ordering one when it becomes available.
This is my account a few minutes before the start of the race on October 10, 1976:
" The atmosphere was electric along the starting grid. You could smell the fumes from high octane petrol as engines were being revved up here and there. Photographers were running around getting shots of the drivers sitting in their cars; mechanics were consulting with the drivers and an occasional wrench was employed to make a last minute adjustment. VIP's in sport coats were milling around with mechanics, reporters and pretty women.
Meanwhile, I had my camera ready. I kept checking the settings for focus, shutter speed and aperture. I remember focusing on a car here, another car there dozens of times. With only three rolls of film every shot had to be just right.... It was intimidating for a 26 year old and add to that I had to control my emotions seeing in my viewfinder these superstars of the sport; these brilliantly dressed gladiators with gloves pulled tight and helmet visors ready to be lowered. Would I be able to do it?"
That's just a taste of what the book is like and the photos on the starting grid alone are worth getting a copy if you want to see the cars and the drama of that time gone by.
There is also a photo gallery addendum of some of my favorite shots from other races in the 1970's. Here's one to whet your appetite of the #1 Porsche 917K driven by Jo Siffert and the #2 Porsche 917K driven by Pedro Rodriguez. Siffert finished second behind winner, Denny Hulme's McLaren M8D. I can attest to seeing the 917K's coming off corner #11 onto the current Start/ Finish line straight like a rocket every lap. They were mind boggling fast!
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J. W. Automotive Engineering Porsche 917K - Driver Jo Siffert
Stay tuned for the release of "Echoes From The Glen"
Brought to you by Paul Ziegler and www.carcamerastory.com
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