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