To some readers of this magazine fifty years may seem a long time, to others it was yesterday, I fall in the latter group which in many ways contributed to the unique experience of actually turning the clock back and reliving my ill spent youth. Where did this time warp happen? At Watkins Glen N.Y. when this international motor track celebrated fifty years of motor history. The idea of going to Watkins was first put forward a couple of years ago. At that time I felt it would be a nice venue for a GOF (Gathering of the Faithful) but beyond that my enthusiasm was polite rather than exciting. As the months passed and September 9th 1998 drew closer I began to realise exactly what this event was about. Fifty years of motor sport that started with a simple, if demanding road course of six and a bit miles, into an international event that has attracted the best of the worlds race drivers not to mention some very unique cars that set world records.

 
A few of the T Types at ‘The Glen’

Like all Register events the schedule was tight, well organised and busy. We stayed at the Great Weston in the town of Painted Point, about twenty miles from Downtown Watkins Glen. I don’t think anyone expected the Register to fill this hotel in a matter of weeks but this happened. As part of my activates as the Register PR guy I sent a notice of the Watkins GOF to Moss Motors for inclusion in their customer magazine. This proved to be quite an illuminating experience! From about the last week in July until the day that we departed my phone was in constant use. I don’t mind MGT types calling to see where they might find a room, it always gives you the chance to plug membership. MGA and MGB owners also utilised my services with the same requests i.e. what’s it all about and where can I find a room? One MGB owner who was informed that this was a T Register gathering replied; “Are there no real MGs attending”, needless to say he got short shift from yours truly. As we have a T in the Registers name I received a number of calls from Triumph owners asking the same questions and also seeking some where to lay their head, without hesitation I suggested they invest in a tent.

It had been my desire to turn up with a newly acquired 1933 J2 that I had spent most of the summer restoring for this event. Sad to say this was not to be, at 4 p.m. on the day before we departed a head gasket blew, never mind I have the 1945 TC, that should qualify for such a prestigious event. Off with the dust cover into the seat, turn the key, pull the knob and…nothing. Two hours later still nothing.

Thank goodness Abingdon made the sturdy, reliable if somewhat unexciting TD. My MkII that was never destined to see the green hills, sorry green mountains of Watkins Glen was dusted off and put into hasty service. On reflection this proved to be a blessing in disguise but more on that later.

 
1933 J2 with supercharger an original race car

Thursday September 10th included a tour of the famous Corning Glass, Curtis and Soaring Museums, a must for any visitor to this beautiful part of New York State. About sixty cars were lined up for the Early Bird show in the afternoon and it was here that you first realised that there were a lot of chapters attending this gathering. From Ohio to Florida, across to California and back to Colorado. From the frozen north there were cars from Ontario and Quebec. Across the pond visitors from Germany, Britain and Switzerland and this was only the second day.

Talking about the frozen north the “Kimber Alaskan Challenge”, gang held their tenth anniversary dinner. You gotta be keen to attempt that, I’m surprised that any were left after such an experience!

The MMM register also had a reunion but nether of these events which were held at other locations, affected the hotel bar trade that night!

On the program the hours between 8.30 and 11.30 p.m. were described as “Socialising in the Vintage Tavern”. If this is what real socialising is about I’m going to change my politics! After a good night’s sleep, thanks to the afore mentioned event in the Vintage Tavern we were ready to set off for the “Big Day”. A rally to Watkins Glen arriving on the track in time for lunch followed by a parade lap of the original 6.6 mile street course starting in Downtown Watkins Glen. The rally was a sheer delight, about forty miles of driving through beautiful country side. For most of the time both Dana and I felt that we were back in Britain, country lanes weaving their way up and down Scottish hills and Yorkshire Dales. At any moment I expected to see a red phone box or a stone country pub. The latter would have been appreciated if only to get something for the headache caused by all the ice that people put into drinks this side of the Atlantic.

Who ever designed this rally had a flair for beauty coupled with a sadistic touch as the faithful TD hammered its way up yet another one in six hill. On arrival at the track we were directed to a large tent with almost one hundred T Type MGs parked around. As we enjoyed our lunch we also had the a magnificent view of the long back stretch of the race track. Cars flashed by competing in the qualifying races as we ate and debated whether to open the commemorative bottle of wine given to all the Register cars attending that day. I don’t think anyone actually opened their gift remembering that we were scheduled to drive on the original track that afternoon.

At 2.p.m. a mile long convoy of T Register vehicles set off for Downtown Watkins Glen, a drive that was heighten by the crowds of people gathered at the side of the road waving us on. Downtown was simply packed tight with people all cheering these strange ancient British cars with equally strange ancient drivers waving back. I now know what it feels like to be famous, if only for a few brief moments behind the wheel of a MG.

The actual six mile course starts and ends at the Court House Downtown, with a 300 yard run to a tight right hand turn then up a two mile hill with a one in five grade.

Remember what I said about bringing the J2 neither it or it’s driver would have managed this challenge. Into third gear, hit the floor and the TD roared up the hill like a two year old. At the top you have a quarter mile flat section, well it seemed flat after the previous experience, then into another tight right hand with a short one in six drop to a stone bridge that requires a quick jerk on the steering wheel and a prayer or two as you face another tight right hand turn with lots of straw bails just to make sure you don’t hit the spectators who are waving you on to greater glory. The course gets a little smoother over the next mile with a reasonably straight road and a couple of easy bends. Then without warning you pass a railway line and start to descend at a hectic rate of knots. You are in, or rather on the “Big Bend”, a sweeping curve about a mile long with a one in six drop back to Downtown Watkins Glen.

At the bottom at “Millken’s Corner”, (I suspect named after some poor driver who never made the turn), it’s a swift left hander followed by an equally swift right turn onto the finish line. I estimated my average speed to be about, give or take a bit, in round terms, 30 miles an hour. “Could have been a shade more if the guy in front had got his foot down”, that’s the official escort car. This was not Rick Smith in a 1931 M type that certainly wasn’t his by the way he was driving the thing. After the event I found out that the average speed for the course back in the early 50s was…wait for it, 83 miles an hour based on six laps.

One of the nice things about driving a T Type over this type of obstacle course is that the noise level is such that it doesn’t allow the passenger to speak. This leaves the driver in peace to savour the unique pleasure of driving a fifty year old car at a reckless speed. Another short parade down main street before we were directed into a reserved parking area as other vintage vehicles lined up to experience the thrill of the old course.

After all that excitement a visit to the nearest pub was in order, so we crossed the road and found a delightful watering hole that sold English beer. The place was packed with a variety of motor types who seemed to be waiting for something to happen. After a pint of the best we once again ventured out onto the street and virtually bumped into Stirling Moss who was surrounded by a crowd of people signing autographs. “It’s me old mate Stirling”, I said in a very British accent trying to savour the image of one British driver meeting another. Needless to say I got the usual look from the wife which in general terms could be described as “What am I doing with this man”.

At our feet was a freshly mounted plaque that had been set into the side walk in honour of Stirling’s record breaking performances at the Glen. At 69 years of age he was still as sprightly as ever, truly a gentleman of the race track and very popular with the crowd.

 
Stirling Moss with admirers gathered around the Stirling Moss commenorative palque in the pavement

As the evening shadows began to fall there was a re-enactment of the original 1948 Seneca Cup Race with several of the original cars participating including three MGTCs. What a sight as twelve cars were flagged off to relive that historic moment. After one trip around the track this illustrious group were joined by another group of classic race cars. Each time a circuit of the track was completed the number of cars competing grew until at the sixth lap there was in excess of eighty cars waiting for the flag to drop.

The noise was like music to the ears, the smell of “Castrol R”, was in the air and we were back in that time warp. Deep down inside many of the spectators was the idea that given half a chance they could be out there, waiting for the start, heart pounding, helmet and goggles in place, foot on the clutch the other on the gas, ready to blow the competition off the road. (I had better stop before I need another pill). What a day, something to remember for the rest of your life especially on those cold winter nights that we get in New England.

The evening closed with a wonderful fireworks display and then it was time to drive back to the hotel with the moon and stars looking down on a happy couple in a 1951 TD with typical Lucas illumination equipment trying to find the right road. Obviously we did and went to bed ready for the next day’s adventure.

A warm and sunny Saturday greeted the T Type drivers that set off once again for the track to assembled at the T Register Special Area for a All American Picnic followed by the traditional Car Show and what a show it was. Well over a 100 cars were lined up for inspection. Examples from 1930 through to 1956 were on display. MG race cars with superchargers sticking out at the front nestled side by side with elegant Tickfords. I tried to count all the cars without success, kept stopping to look at another beauty and lost my count.

At the last try I got to 105 then a 1934 PA smiled at me and that was that. Some of us went over to the pits to watch the mechanics prepare for the afternoon racing. I counted at least forty T Types a host of MGAs and lots and lots of MGBs, all modified to beat the you know what out of the competition and they did.

There was a special section set aside for the display of foreign cars virtually adjacent to our reserved location. Walking through this area on my way to the Grandstand I saw a true vision from the past, a 1932 Jap V twin, three wheel Morgan. Number plates from Virginia and driven to the track by it’s owner. He told me it took a week as “they” wanted to see the country side. My only question was, “Where did you put the luggage?” Some nice examples of post war T types were also on display and I only wished I had brought a few Register membership forms with me. However I did manage to send a couple of owners over to our compound to let them see what we get up to at such events.

That evening we enjoyed the traditional banquet with so many people that there was not enough seats to go round. Dana and I squeezed onto a table designed for 10 and now holding 12 but who cares, it was a perfect end to a great GOF especially when we took over the Tavern with an over spill into the garden after the banquet was over.

 
Geoff and Dana after completing the original race track

A GOF that will certainly be talked about for many years to come.

Virtually every national chapter was represented from the North to the South, East to the West. Driving back I reflected on the various comments at the planning committees like; “Do you think we will get enough people to qualify for special space at the track”, a serious concern when you have to commit in advance.

However, I guess we underestimated the membership and the dedication, as President Hank Rippert said at the end of the gathering. “You people made it happen and I thank you”. I and many others endorse his comments.

Can’t wait for 1999 to come round.

Geoff Wheatley September 1998