3 Watkins Glen

Formula 1 has had plenty of false starts in the United States. But modern-day Austin wasn’t the first time it’s laid down roots with a permanent Stateside track. Between 1961 and 1980 it had the same at Watkins Glen.

The road course in upstate New York quickly attracted a large and multi-national crowd and the F1 race’s end-of-season slot ensured golden autumnal colours. The layout initially was nothing special, yet a new loop added to the track from the 1971 grand prix elevated Watkins Glen into being a firm drivers’ favourite: sweeping, undulating and challenging.

Financial problems, plus the notorious behaviour of the spectators inhabiting the

‘Bog’, meant Watkins Glen was replaced in 1980s’ F1 by pale imitations, though the Glen still goes strong today with other categories.