A memorable trip to the Glen

[Jim Nelson]

My buds and I had a tradition of going to the F1 season-closer at Watkins Glen each year, and in 1980 we sprung for a motorhome instead of those pesky tents. We got there early and parked it at the left-hander before the pit entrance, where we thought we'd see a little action. We were awoken by the sound of F1's 9:00 am practice, and while shaving there was this tremendous BANG, the whole motorhome shook, and we heard the sound of a wide-open Cosworth singing its last song. As it turned out, Alain Prost had (if I recall, suspension broke) gone straight at the turn, through the catch fencing and into the tires. Of course, in those days catch fencing was constructed by some good-sized poles, and one of those poles had come loose from the catch fence and broke our windshield. So much for perfect spots. But the insurance report was amusing, I thought. Uninsured driver: Alain Prost. Uninsured vehicle: McLaren M30C…etc. While doing a little moving over the weekend, I finally found this:

(this is the race he sat out with a concussion)

[Neil Bardsley]

Nice story. Better your windscreen than your head!