You were there: 1971 US Grand Prix at Watkins Glen
A drive in the woods: In autumn 1971, Fred Gerkens and some of his friends headed to Watkins Glen for the US Grand Prix and their first taste of F1.
“The race was ok,” says Fred. “But the close-up garage access was an amazing experience”.
![Mike Hailwood's Surtees side by side with Chris Craft's Brabham at the 1971 United States Grand Prix at Watkin's Glen](https://msm.tjlabs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/YWT10-800x450.jpg)
Unlucky: Mike Hailwood (20) would crash when his Surtees punctured; Chris Craft’s Brabham (24) would suffer a suspension breakage
![Emerson Fittipaldi in his Lotus 72D during the 1972 F1 United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen](https://msm.tjlabs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/YWT2-800x450.jpg)
Fittipaldi in his Lotus 72D
![Francois Cevert in the Tyrrell at the 1971 United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen](https://msm.tjlabs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/YWT8-800x450.jpg)
Jackie Stewart’s Tyrrell claimed pole but team-mate François Cevert would take his first win
![McLaren and Brabham battle during the 1971 F1 United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen](https://msm.tjlabs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/YWT9-800x450.jpg)
Autumn colours frame a McLaren/Brabham scrap
![Tim Schenken pushes his Brabham at Watkins Glen during the 1971 United States Grand Prix](https://msm.tjlabs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/YWT5-800x450.jpg)
Tim Schenken assists crew with his Brabham
![John Cannon and his BRM P153 being towed back to the pits at Watkins Glen during the 1971 United States Grand Prix](https://msm.tjlabs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/YWT7-800x450.jpg)
John Cannon and BRM P153 come home the slow way
![Emerson Fittipaldi's Lotus 72D at Watkins Glen for the 1971 United States F1 Grand Prix](https://msm.tjlabs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/YWT3-800x450.jpg)
Emerson Fittipaldi’s Lotus 72D
![Fans campervan at the 1971 United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen](https://msm.tjlabs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/YWT4-800x450.jpg)
The boys parked their Metrovan camper right by a gospel stage and settled round a campfire with a crate of beer
![Skip Barber's March 711 is towed back to the pits at Watkins Glen after retiring from the 1971 United States Grand Prix](https://msm.tjlabs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/YWT6-800x450.jpg)
Not the sort of tow Skip Barber wanted; in the race his March 711 was unclassified
![Stripped down Brabham BT33 of Tim Schenken at Watkins Glen for the 1971 United States Grand Prix](https://msm.tjlabs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/YWT1-800x1200.jpg)
Tim Schenken’s Brabham BT33 displays its innards for our photographer, but the Cosworth engine would let down the Australian driver