Watkins Glen, U.S.A., October 8th.
Jackie Stewart completed the 1972 World Championship with one of the most convincing wins of his career. Driving the Derek Gardner-designed Tyrrell he was in a class of his own and led from start to finish in a tremendous demonstration of speed and skill. Just as in Canada two weeks earlier, no one could stay with him, but this time he led from the drop of the starting flag and was never headed. The trials and tribulations of the Mk. 2 Tyrrell are obviously over for Francois Cevert made it a great day for Team Tyrrell by finishing a convincing second in 006, and the team’s “trainee” driver, Frenchman Patrick Depailler, toiled well for seventh place. The result did not go unrewarded. In total Ken Tyrrell picked up just a fraction under $100,000, which must constitute some kind of record for road racing.
In terms of numbers of cars the United States Grand Prix is always the biggest and the best in the World Championship. Since the organisers extended the track and completely modernised the pits and facilities last year they have had a track to live up to the big fields and big money—this year the prize fund available was at a record of $275,000. How is this done ? For a start, the event is superbly promoted and attracts a far larger crowd than almost any European GP apart, perhaps, from the Nurburgring. Secondly the American race spectator will pay more to watch his motor racing and will probably stay longer, camping at the circuit so that he can take in practice as well.
