watkins glen

Chapter from “They Started in MGs”: Otto Linton

November 16, 2011 By pete

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

Watkins Glen Memoirs Part 6: 1952

November 9, 2011 By pete

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

The Paul Farago Story

June 8, 2011 By pete

Watkins Glen, 1949. Paul Farago parades his Farago Fiat in streets. Color photo by Eric Davison.

By Eric Davison

The entry list of racing cars for the 1948-1950 events at Watkins Glen was a mixed lot and most were cars produced before WW2. One of the few new cars and arguably one of the most attractive was the Farago Fiat.

Paul Farago was an Italian from Calabria, Italy who immigrated to Detroit with his family in 1930. Paul’s father operated a bus line and Paul was a skilled mechanic by the time the family arrived in Detroit. He quickly established himself as an expert on foreign car repairs as well as a race car driver on local Michigan dirt tracks.

When WW2 broke out Farago served in the Army Air Corps. When the war ended he established Farago Auto Service at 18725 John R. Street between Detroit’s Six and Seven Mile Roads. His business flourished as the private garages of Detroit and its suburbs spilled out all the wonderful cars that had been put on blocks for ‘the duration.’

Farago was also a charter member of the Detroit Region of the Sports Car Club of America. The Region had been formed when Bill Woods and his brother Jack placed a classified ad in a Detroit newspaper. The Woods brothers were sports car enthusiasts and were the owners of Woods’ Motors on Detroit’s east side. They sold MGs, Hillmans and other miscellaneous imports. [Read more…] about The Paul Farago Story

Waktins Glen to Raffle Cobra Replica

October 8, 2008 By pete

Italian connection: The Cobra used an AC Ace body and chassis. The AC body design was originally patterned after the early Touring bodied Ferrari barchettas.

WATKINS GLEN, NY

For the second time since it began raffling high performance cars as a major fund raiser each year, the International Motor Racing Research Center at Waktins Glen, NY is offering a Cobra replica.