The U.S. Vintage Grand Prix 2017 was held September 8-10 at famed Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York. Sportscar Vintage Racing Association’s annual visit to the historic road course located in the Finger Lakes Region of western New York is one of the most popular events on the SVRA race schedule.
The 3.67 mile, 11-turn Watkins Glen International hosted more than 400 vintage and historic race cars competing in 11 race groups. Notable and interesting entries at the SVRA U.S. Vintage Grand Prix Watkins Glen 2017 included the 1966 Lola T70 Mk II of David Jacobs; 1959 Devin Special of David Zavetsky; 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II of Frank Marcum; 1964 Shelby Cobra 289 FIA of Susan Patterson; 1957 Lotus Eleven of Tim Scopes and the 1954 Lancia D24/5 of Peter Giddings.
Another highlight of the race weekend was the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Tribute, which featured a selection of vintage race cars rumbling through the streets of Watkins Glen around the original 6.6-mile circuit. As part of the downtown Grand Prix Festival of Watkins Glen, the estimated 25,000 spectators also celebrated with music, fine food and wine from the region. In 2017, the Grand Prix honored Otto Linton, the surviving member of the first group of racers on the streets of Watkins Glen in 1948 and who celebrated his 100th birthday earlier this year. A panel of racing historians and friends celebrated Linton’s long life of accomplishments on and off the track.
Similar to the 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 races, Sports Car Digest also documented the 2017 U.S. Vintage Grand Prix, with photographer Michael DiPleco bringing shots of the vintage racing action from Watkins Glen.
U.S. Vintage Grand Prix Watkins Glen 2017 – Photo Gallery (photos: Michael DiPleco)
Otto Linton celebrating his 100 birthday.
Flossie techs a MG-TD.
Otto and Flossie at the Tech inspection at Smalleys garage.
Otto reunited with the 1949 Grand Prix trophy.
Lyb St James with the Jaguar she will drive in Group 6.
1911 Reo received a Honorable Mention in the Concours.
1911 Reo received a Honorable Mention in the Concours.
Mike Barstow.
Nicole Parella sits in her dad’s 1958 Corvette.
1968 Porsce 911.
1969 Alfa Romeo Sp[ider- Robert Mocas.
Jim Hamblin gets the checker- 1968 Porsche 911.
Jim Hamblin gets the checker- 1968 Porsche 911.
Winners Circle.
1960 Mallock U2 Mk2- Ray Mallock.
1959 Alexix HF1 Formula Jr.- Duncan Rabagliati.
1961 Dreossi Canada Class FJ2- Doug Elcomb.
It was a little chilly.
1969 Lola T70 MkIII- Hobart Buppert.
1966 Lola T70- MkII- David Jacobs.
1969 Lola T70 Mk3b- Michael Moss.
1969 Lola T70 Mk3b- Michael Moss.
Lotus 23B- Doc Bundy
Mac McCombs 1969/09 SPF GT40 in Gulf-Mirage
1967 McKee Mk7- Lou Casazza.
Harry Gentry- 1962 MG Midget.
“Honeybee” 1960 MGA of David Nicholas.
1966 Ford Anglia 105 Super. Ross Bremer.
Group 1- David Nicholas- 1960 MGA.
1957 Turner 950S- Todd Wetzel.
Lino Baggio- 1956 MGA.
1997 Reynard Champ Car- John Burke.
2009 Oreca FLM09- Brad Baker.
1997 Reynard Champ Car- John Burke.
2012 Coyote Corvette DP- John Reisman.
2007 Lola B07/18 LMP1- Steve Scullen.
Start of the Hawk Performance Classic/Vintage Endro.
Hawk Performance Classic/Vintage Enduro.
1958 Chevrolet Corvette- Tony Parella.
2005 Pontiac GTOR- Richard Valentine.
2011 Mercedes SLS- Eric Lux.
1979 Porsche 911- Timothy Haines.
1965Cobra 427 Comp R- Andre Ahrle.
1965 Shelby Cobra- James Acquilano.
1969 Chevrolet Corvette- Jody O’Donnell.
1961 Jaguar XKE- Larry Ligas.
1969 Chevrolet Corvette- Jody O’Donnell.
1965Cobra 427 Comp R- Andre Ahrle.
1967 Jaguar XKE- Jack Busch.
1965 Shelby GT350- Gary Moore.
1970 Porsche 911 RSR- Hans Warner.
1972 Sunbeam Tiger Rob Albino.
1969 Chevrolet Corvette- Jody O’Donnell.
1972 Porsche 911 RS- Douglas Kurtin.
Stunning 1966 Lola T70 MkII – David Jacobs.
1966 Ford GT40 MkII- Frank Marcum- #99- 1969 Lola T70 Mk3b- Michael Moss.
Going away.
Dave Allister- 1995 Toyota WSR- exits the Bus Stop.
1995 Toyota WSR- Dave McAllister.
Lola T70.
Back straight action.
1969 Lola T70 MkIII- Hobart Buppert.
1966 Lola T70- MkII- David Jacobs.
1962 Lotus 23- Travis Engen.
Mitch Eitel- 1971 Lola T212.
Lotus 23B.
Lola T70.
1966 Lola T70- MkII- David Jacobs.
1969 Lola T70 Mk3b- Michael Moss.
1966 Ford GT40 MkII- Frank Marcum- #99- 1969 Lola T70 Mk3b- Michael Moss.
1966 Ford GT40 MkII- Frank Marcum- #99- 1969 Lola T70 Mk3b- Michael Moss.
1978 Lola T298- James Farley.
1969 Lola T70 Mk3b- Michael Moss.
Mitch Eitel- 1971 Lola T212.
1964 Elva Mk7S- Roger Cassin.
1959 Devin Special David Zavetsky.
Mac McCombs 1969/09 SPF GT40 in Gulf-Mirage
1969 Lola T70 MkIII- Hobart Buppert.
1966 Ford GT40 MkII- Frank Marcum- #99- 1969 Lola T70 Mk3b- Michael Moss.
Lola T70.
Formula Fords on the Back starght.
Geoff Brabham BT35 and Dave Handy BT29 enjoyed a fantastic battle.
#81- 1978 Crossle 32F- Kurt Fisher. Kenneth Arters 1988 Van Diemen FF and #11- Michael Hummel- 1979 Crossle 35F.
1966 Chevrolet Yenko Stinger Corvair- Logan Dernoshek.
1971 Brabham BT-35- Geoff Brabham.
1967 Brabham BT21 of Bob Lima.
Formula Ford action.
1962 Lola Mk1-F3- Roger Herrick.
1959 Sadler Formula Jr.- Nigel Russell.
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster- Michael Donohue.
1972 Sunbeam Tiger- Rob Albino.
1961 Jaguar XKE- Larry Ligas.
1966 Ford Mustang Notchback- Jeff Neathery.
Michael Barstow- 1953 MG-TD and 1951 MG-TD Kurt Byrnes.
1961 MGA- Eric Russell.
1961 MGA Steve Konsin on his way to 3rd in the Collier Cup.
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