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”.

Unlucky: Mike Hailwood (20) would crash when his Surtees punctured; Chris Craft’s Brabham (24) would suffer a suspension breakage

Fittipaldi in his Lotus 72D

Jackie Stewart’s Tyrrell claimed pole but team-mate François Cevert would take his first win

Autumn colours frame a McLaren/Brabham scrap

Tim Schenken assists crew with his Brabham

John Cannon and BRM P153 come home the slow way

Emerson Fittipaldi’s Lotus 72D

The boys parked their Metrovan camper right by a gospel stage and settled round a campfire with a crate of beer

Not the sort of tow Skip Barber wanted; in the race his March 711 was unclassified

Tim Schenken’s Brabham BT33 displays its innards for our photographer, but the Cosworth engine would let down the Australian driver