Jack Brabham, Emerson Fittipaldi return to Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen, NY (August 22, 2000) - Watkins Glen International announced today that World Champions Emerson Fittipaldi and Sir Jack Brabham will be returning to Watkins Glen for the September 8-10 Zippo U.S. Vintage Grand Prix. Brabham and ...
Watkins Glen, NY (August 22, 2000) - Watkins Glen International announced today that World Champions Emerson Fittipaldi and Sir Jack Brabham will be returning to Watkins Glen for the September 8-10 Zippo U.S. Vintage Grand Prix. Brabham and Fittipaldi will be serving as Co-Grand Marshals for the Formula One reunion event. This year's Zippo weekend features a Formula One reunion with several significant cars coming from around the world to participate.
"Watkins Glen is particularly pleased to welcome back two of the greatest names in motorsports," said track president Bryan R. Sperber. "The Zippo U.S. Vintage Grand Prix has become one of this country's most celebrated vintage motorsport events. This year's Formula One reunion is only enhanced by the attendance of Sir Jack and Emerson Fittipaldi. The Glen will once again return to the great F1 days as we host an entire weekend that now features some of the greatest cars and drivers in history."
Emerson Fittipaldi, World Champion in '72 and '74, will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of his win in the 1970 Grand Prix at Watkins Glen driving a Lotus 72. The very same car is scheduled to make the trip across the Atlantic for a reunion of its own with the legendary driver.
"For me, 1970 was not only the first time I came to Watkins Glen, but it was the first time I came to the United States. I remember there was a lot of excitement , and I was under a lot of pressure," said Fittipaldi. "For sure, Watkins Glen was the beginning of my Grand Prix career. It was a very important win, my first win, and I have great memories of Watkins Glen. I love the place, I love the people."
Jack Brabham, co-Grand Marshal for the Zippo event, is a three-time Formula One World Champion. Better known as "Sir" Jack Brabham, his name is synonymous with Grand Prix motor racing and he is the only driver in history to be knighted by the Queen of England for his services to motor sport.
"I enjoyed myself racing at Watkins Glen. It was a lovely circuit to drive on," said Sir Jack Brabham, a three-time World Champion. "It's a pity they couldn't have continued the Grand Prix, all the drivers used to enjoy coming there. When we raced there it was as good as any circuit we raced on."
With championships in 1959, 1960 and 1966, Brabham is still the only person in Formula One to have won a world title in a car of his own construction - the BT19 - which he drove to victory in 1966.
Both Fittipaldi and Brabham competed in the U.S. Grand Prix at Watkins Glen. Sir Jack's best finish at The Glen was third in 1965, finishing behind Dan Gurney and race winner Graham Hill.
Fittipaldi and Brabham are both scheduled to participate in Fan Forums during the Zippo weekend. Fittipaldi is scheduled to handle questions from fans on Saturday, September 9 at noon in the Pit Terrace grandstand. Brabham will be in the Pit Terrace grandstand for Q & A with fans on Sunday, September 10, also at noon.
Tickets for the Zippo U.S. Vintage Grand Prix are now available. For ticket, camping, or additional information, contact the Watkins Glen ticket office at 607-535-2481 or visit The Glen's official website at www.theglen.com .
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