Watkins Glen Memoirs Part 7: Epilogue
In 1956 Dad sold the Squire but not before I was able to use it to pursue the lovely Mary, the first girl that I dated that he really dug and deemed Squire-worthy. He would say.”If you are going to see Mary, take the Squire!” What a deal that was! Mary and I have been married for nearly 56 years leading me to believe that it wasn’t all Squire that swung the deal. Dad was the best man at my wedding as he was at my brother’s.
Chapter from “They Started in MGs”: Otto Linton
Above: Otto Linton in the rare 2000S OSCA serial number 2006.
Special Notice:Otto Linton will be the guest speaker at a VSCCA Luncheon, December 4th, in Somers NY. Contact frankrighetti33@aol.com for details.
“I raced an MG in 1948 at Watkins Glen,” says driver Otto Linton. “It was a J4, the only one in the United States and it’s now back in the UK. “ As described in the book The Story of the MG Sports Car, the 1933 J4 was “too fast for most drivers.” The car had essentially the same body that would cover MG frames until 1955, except no doors. Mechanically, it had a 4-cylinder OHC engine of 750cc displacement, supercharged, with one large SU carburetor and a four speed transmission with a remote shift lever and lock-out reverse. It was built in 1933 in a special production of only 9 cars, at the same time as the more famous K3 Magnette with the same design engine but of 6 cylinder configuration – 30 of these were built and only sold to customer competition drivers.
Linton's MG J4 in 1945.
Like many other drivers in that first race of the new sports car era – Bill Milliken, race organizer Cam Argetsinger, Denver Cornett and George Weaver, Otto posted a DNF in the event, with Haig Ksayian going on to take the win in the MG class. “I just had that one race in ’48,” says Otto, “plus a couple of hill climbs in 1949.” [Read more…] about Chapter from “They Started in MGs”: Otto Linton
Rally Great Britain 2011 in English and Italian
By Roberto Motta
Photos courtesy of Citroën Communication, Abu Dhabi World Rally Team, Ford Motor Co. and BMW AG
Sebastien Loeb won his eighth consecutive World Rally Championship but failed to win the last even to the season. On the last day of the rally, in the lead and on his way to PS 19, he was involved in a head on collision with another vehicle; no one was hurt but the damage to the Citroen’s radiator effectively ended his rally. The last rally of the year, held in Wales, was full of surprises.
[Read more…] about Rally Great Britain 2011 in English and Italian
Watkins Glen Memoirs Part 6: 1952
Following the 1951 event Dad began once again to look at the classified section of the Motor. He always went first to the ‘S’ section in the hope that he might spot another SS100.
It was during one of those wistful searches that he came cross the magic name: Squire.
[Read more…] about Watkins Glen Memoirs Part 6: 1952
Musings at the Mullin
Photo by Hugues Vanhoolandt.
As we have all learned, Eric Davison has been around cars for a very long time, from his Watkins Glen days with his father to haunting car and art museums with his wife. So when we found he was going to the Mullin, we asked him to bring back a report on something off the beaten path. Said Davison of the assignment after he returned, “It sounds so very easy but when you are in the Mullin Museum and basically overwhelmed by the magnificence of the cars and of the building’s French decor and the general ambience, the task becomes more complicated.” So did he succeed and bring back a few surprises? We think so—
[Read more…] about Musings at the Mullin
Marshall Buck Reviews Three French Models
There is nothing quite like the flare or perhaps the flamboyance of French autos from the art deco era. I readily admit that this style of cars and time period is very near and dear to me.
[Read more…] about Marshall Buck Reviews Three French Models
Our Features This Week, November 9th
Watkins Glen Memoirs For Our Premium Members
If you would like the first four of the seven memoirs in PDF format, drop us a line at pete@velocetoday.com.
Our Features This Week, November 2nd
Grand Prix of India, below!
Indian Grand Prix 2011: Bully for Formula One
Jenson Button, Adrian Newey, Sebastian Vettel, and Fernando Alonso
By Pete Vack
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media
Bully for India and Formula One
One of our more illustrious Presidents, Teddy Roosevelt, was a member of the Bull Moose Party and was given to using the word “Bully” in a positive manner, as in meaning “good”, “great” or “excellent”. Roosevelt also coined the term “Bully Pulpit”, which has an additional meaning here—the “Bully Pulpit” being the ability of the President to use his ‘pulpit’ in an influential manner. And a pulpit is what we have here, what you are reading; a podium, a platform, an opportunity to speak our mind and to have thousands hear it or read it.
[Read more…] about Indian Grand Prix 2011: Bully for Formula One
Watkins Glen Memoirs Part 5: 1951
Within a few weeks Dad was contacted by the person who had left the note on our SS100. He was serious about wanting the car. While Dad had not contemplated selling, he was bitterly disappointed by the fact that he did not get to race at the Glen. He named a price, one that covered the purchase price, the paint job and a small profit. The car was sold and one Saturday a mechanic showed up and with Dad’s help, replaced the rod bearing and drove off.
Fortunately I had convinced Dad to do a painting of the car and I was the recipient of a magnificent rendition of DWU 834, a lasting memento of the car and of his talents.