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F1 News & Discussions => General F1 Discussion => F1 Experiences => Topic started by: lkjohnson1950 on February 17, 2009, 12:03:54 AM

Title: Long Beach & Vegas
Post by: lkjohnson1950 on February 17, 2009, 12:03:54 AM

To be honest, I don't remember the exact years, but when F1 came to western America, I was fortunate enough to have a friend in the SCCA who got me a job as a Grid Marshall. For holding the position boards on the hot grid to line up the drivers, we got credentials that got us anywhere but the hot pits all weekend. I have some great pictures I'll post if I ever get a scanner. My best memory is of pushing my way through the crowd in front of the arena at Long Beach, flashing my wristband at the guard and getting to go where they couldn't. Then we repeated the whole thing at the barrier the kept back the crowd inside, so the mechanics could work. We got to mingle with the teams. The rear tire of the Renaults was so soft, when I pressed on it, it left a dent!
 I remember John Watson looking absolutely spent getting out of his car after the Vegas race when he lost the WDC to Piquet by just a couple of points. I remember Williams absolutely neglecting Carlos Reutimann when he had a chance at winning the WDC. They spent the whole time working on Alan Jones' car. He won and I believe Williams got the Constructor's title, but Piquet won the WDC and I formed an intense dislike for Frank Williams that continues to this day.
 I remember watching John Watson come from 22nd or so on the grid to win in Long Beach. We were on the outside of the parking lot sweeper before the final hairpin (which was way up the hill in those days). Every lap he would come by ahead of another car. A couple of times he passed someone right in front of us. Imagine someone doing that today!!
 I also remember Gilles doing perfect 4 wheel drifts right out to the ARMCO lap after lap. I also remember him braking at the end of the straight with the car weaving and bottoming out. I thought he was nuts, but he did that lap after lap too.
 But I think my fondest memory is from Watkins Glen in '79 or '80. We were camping  near the end of the straight (no bus stop in those days), and were awakened by the mechanics warming the engines Sunday morning, so we wandered down to the garages. I got there just in time to see Reutimann arrive in a FIAT 128!! And when he tried to shift into reverse to park it, he crunched the gears just like I occasionally did in my 128. That made him a favorite with me  :D

Lonny

Title: Re: Long Beach & Vegas
Post by: Dare on February 17, 2009, 12:37:19 AM

nice read Lonny,get you a scanner and post
those pics.I'm ready for some more
F1 tales

Title: Re: Long Beach & Vegas
Post by: John S on February 17, 2009, 07:27:11 AM

Cool memories Lonny, takes me back in time just remembering those names, must have been great to actually be there. John Watson had some classy races in USGP's but that one at Long was one of his best.

Title: Re: Long Beach & Vegas
Post by: Scott on February 17, 2009, 07:29:38 AM

Thanks for the memories Lonny.  To have watched Villeneuve do his magic would have been amazing.  I only got to see him for a couple of years on TV.

Title: Re: Long Beach & Vegas
Post by: cosworth151 on February 17, 2009, 12:30:38 PM

Thanks, Lonny. Those are great stories. I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures!

Title: Re: Long Beach & Vegas
Post by: Wizzo on February 17, 2009, 04:31:59 PM

*Sigh* perfect 4 wheels drifts - I can see them now.

Nice one Lonny.  :good:

Title: Re: Long Beach & Vegas
Post by: Steven Roy on February 17, 2009, 07:45:53 PM

Great stuff Lonny.  Winning from 22nd seems unbelievable nowadays but I remember that race and I remember Watson winning from almost that far back at Detroit.

I would love to have had the opportunity to watch Gilles in the flesh.