44 replies to this topic

[Lutz G]

As mentioned in the "John Watson... the Irish Reutemann?" Thread, the English translation of my small Watson biography is online now.

Please excuse the "oldschool 90s look" without any 20 MB flash intros and the newest *.php code.;)

I would very much appreciate any comments. Please report any errors, etc.

If somebody has any photos of Wattie for the Watson Gallery please post or mail them too (Thanks Twin Window and Carsten Reuter!). I did some shots of Watson's Brabham BT46 back in 1978 at the old Hockenheimring but can't find them anymore.

Edit 2009:

http://home.tiscali....2/watson2e.html

New URL: http://www.alice-dsl...e/watson2e.html

I hope you enjoy reading it!


Lutz

Edited by Lutz G, 15 May 2009 - 04:30.

[MonzaDriver]

Obviously I enjoyed reading Lutz.
In my opinion dont worry too much about a more elaborated web-site.
But on find more episodes, interviews, stories, about him.
Something that show us more about his personality, for some reason overlooked by the media.

Ciao e grazie.

MonzaDriver.

[Lutz G]

Originally posted by MonzaDriver
Obviously I enjoyed reading Lutz.

Great!

Originally posted by MonzaDriver
In my opinion dont worry too much about a more elaborated web-site.

For 56k modem, etc users these "need flash x.x to enter" sites are bs.

But on find more episodes, interviews, stories, about him.
Something that show us more about his personality, for some reason overlooked by the media.

Ciao e grazie.

You're welcome.

I'll add more stories. So please come back. For example Pete Pitwell who did the (IMO superb) English translation had a nice chat with him in Monaco during Watties Eurosport days as tv commentator.

If somebody would like to add any stories, etc to my Watson Pages - go ahead.;)

Or what about some quotes from Watson?

BTW: Are other websites about Watson's career hidden somewhere in the web? I found only the usual statistics stuff.

Lutz

[Lutz G]

I updated my Wattie gallery with these two photos (© by Hartmut Schulz) :

http://home.tiscali....nmorepics2.html

GP Deutschland 3. August 1975. John Watson in the Lotus 72/5



BTW: Surtees Pilot Watson suddenly in the Wunderlotus! Was he fast in the new car at perhaps the most difficult racing track ever? Does anybody has his laptimes at the gruene hoelle?



What happened here? Did he ran off during quali or race?


Lutz

[jcbc3]

At least he was in good American company.

[MCS]

Originally posted by Lutz G
I updated my Wattie gallery with these two photos

That is one hell of a picture !!

Fantastic

[Twin Window]

That really is an unusual photo! Excellent!

I don't think that it's Wattie in the Lotus though - probably a mechanic or marshal. Certainly Donohue in the March however.

[Gary C]

Is that Lotus secured on the back of that truck??

[fines]

Originally posted by Gary C
Is that Lotus secured on the back of that truck??

I was asking that myself, and I believe the answer's NO!!!

And Stu is right, that can't be Wattie as he still had his beard then. Great pic, though!

[lil'chris]

A couple of sideways moments at Wehrseifen

[Sc. Serrenissima]

Originally posted by Lutz G

Wonderful pictures
Thank U very much

[ErinKondratieff]

Apart from being one of the world's best racing drivers Wattie is a keen and accomplished
golfer. He was a regular contestant in the annual 'Howden and Judy Ganley Golf Days' at
Maidenhead and here he is receiving one of his prizes at the 2004 event.

[Lutz G]

@all

You're welcome.

I checked the photo in full resolution (1024x) - I don't think so too, that it's Wattie in the Lotus.

BTW: The shot was taken at Wehrseifen before the lefthander.

@ErinKondratieff

Great photo! Thanks for posting!


Lutz

[ErinKondratieff]

Another John Watson golfing photo from one of the 'Howden and Judy Golf Days' at Maidenhead
shows him and the other three from his four-ball just before teeing off.

L to R : Tony Eckford, who races one of the rare Lister-built Sunbeam Tiger Coupes which were
built for Le Mans in 1964, John Watson , Air Commodore Robert Barcilon, AFC, and Phil Tanner,
a well-known New Zealand dentist and golfer.

[Lutz G]

@ErinKondratieff

Thanks for sharing!


Lutz

[Dennis Currington]

My favorite shot of John at the Caesar's Palace GP in 1981:

http://classicracing...p?g2_itemId=282

[Lutz G]

@Dennis

Thanks for posting!

http://classicracing...p?g2_itemId=249

This shot is very interesting, cause on tv they never showed the whole Caesars Palace GP
area - looks a little bit like some Tilke stuff from today - ok now we no walls...;)

Lutz

[KitCar]

Originally posted by ErinKondratieff
Another John Watson golfing photo from one of the 'Howden and Judy Golf Days' at Maidenhead
shows him and the other three from his four-ball just before teeing off.

L to R : Tony Eckford, who races one of the rare Lister-built Sunbeam Tiger Coupes which were
built for Le Mans in 1964, John Watson , Air Commodore Robert Barcilon, AFC, and Phil Tanner,
a well-known New Zealand dentist and golfer.

Is Phil Tanner (above) the same one who used to race a TVR some years ago ?  
Does anybody have any information on him ?

[HASNO the Frog]

In answer to Kitcar's question all I can tell you is that some years
ago a friend of mine was at Silverstone driving Formula Ford cars in a BRDC
event day and he told me that there was a chap by the name of Phil Tanner
driving there as well - going very fast

[Lutz G]

I updated my Wattie gallery with these three photos. Thanks for sharing, energy!

http://home.tiscali....2/galeriee.html

Historics, Infineon Raceway - Sonoma 24.08.2008, (1975 Penske PC3)







Lutz

[RA0259]

Can anyone provide contact details for John Watson.

I want to let him know that his father's race car the MG R-Type RA0259 will be at the Australian Grand Prix in March. If he is going to be there he is welcome to come and see it.

Regards,

Chris

[Lutz G]

I want to let him know that his father's race car the MG R-Type RA0259 will be at the Australian Grand Prix in March. If he is going to be there he is welcome to come and see it.

His father's race car? Has anybody info about the racing career of John Watson's father?

BTW: Please update your bookmarks to the new URL of the Wattie Story:

http://www.alice-dsl...e/watson2e.html

(could be down temp. now - try again in a few hours)

Lutz

[wdm]

His father's race car? Has anybody info about the racing career of John Watson's father?

Marshall Watson raced a JP-Vincent in 1952, at least. He bought it from Ron Flockhart when Flockhart moved up to ERAs.

Edit: While I remember, there was a photo of him in this car in a recent MotorSport...

Edited by wdm, 14 May 2009 - 20:37.

[David McKinney]

Before that he'd race a JP-Norton 500, and from 1955-57 a 2-litre Alta

[wdm]

Before that he'd race a JP-Norton 500, and from 1955-57 a 2-litre Alta

In which case I'll correct myself and say that there was a photo of Watson senior in one of his JPs in a recent MotorSport

[B Squared]

Regarding the photos in post #20 - that looks like the helmet paint scheme used by Arie Luyendyk. What's the story on that? Is John driving the car or is it Arie driving John's Penske? Sorry if I'm looking a bit thick with this question.

Brian

[Lutz G]

Regarding the photos in post #20 - that looks like the helmet paint scheme used by Arie Luyendyk. What's the story on that? Is John driving the car or is it Arie driving John's Penske? Sorry if I'm looking a bit thick with this question.

I don't think it's Watson driving the car - Luyendyk? I'll ask the guy who took the photos...

Lutz

[Arjan de Roos]

I don't think it's Watson driving the car - Luyendyk? I'll ask the guy who took the photos...

Lutz

Yep, Arie driving the Penske of Doug Mockett.

[B Squared]

Yep, Arie driving the Penske of Doug Mockett.

Thanks for the info, I appreciate the help.

Doug Mockett has a company http://www.mockett.c...iture-hardware/ I'm very familiar with through my work in the custom cabinet business. They supply cutting edge hardware design for the industry. I try to use their products whenever possible in my own design applications. Mr. Mockett, from all I've seen, is a big supporter of vintage racing.

Brian

[Lutz G]

Found this photo at wikipedia:



John Watson, April 1971 - formula 2 race at Hockenheim... photo © by Raimund Kommer

BTW:

John Watson's GP debut at the 1973 British GP...



© by Twin Window

Watson's virtual debut in the PC-Racing-Simulation F1C. Thank you so much CREW F1 SEVEN!



http://www.racesimul...1C/mods/16.html


Lutz

[Lutz G]

Got mail the other day with a help request - can anybody help?

-snip-

Hello could you help me about John Watson helmet , I just both this bell xfm-1 snell 1975 ( first xfm-1 in 1981 ) , I try to find pictures , because it’s possible that this helmet is an original worn by John ( maybe in Testing with McLaren ).
Thanks’ per advance for your help ,



















-snap-


Lutz

[William Hunt]

was there ever a biography-book published on John Watson's life? I certainly never saw one but maybe I missed it. His career was certainly interesting enough for a book, his private life, in particular his love life, was very tragic in a sad way though. After Ronnie Peterson died he started a relationship with Ronnie's ex wife, Barbro Edwardsson, but she commited suicide 9 years after Ronnie's death but she never had properly coped with the accident, Watson suffered a lot from that. I imagine they couldn't leave that out of a biography but it's a very sensitive matter.

Edited by William Hunt, 29 June 2011 - 05:58.

[funformula]

Got mail the other day with a help request - can anybody help?

-snip-

Hello could you help me about John Watson helmet , I just both this bell xfm-1 snell 1975 ( first xfm-1 in 1981 ) , I try to find pictures , because it’s possible that this helmet is an original worn by John ( maybe in Testing with McLaren ).
Thanks’ per advance for your help ,

-snap-


Lutz

Hmmm, it´s hard to say.
Absolute stunning piece, no question but if I recall correctly Watson first wore a Bell XFM-1 helmet in 1984, so the Snell sticker must say "1980" instead of "1975"
The Marlboro sticker in top of the visor is also missing. The screws holding the visor aren´t original too.
But maybe someone knows better.

[Lutz G]

was there ever a biography-book published on John Watson's life? I certainly never saw one but maybe I missed it. His career was certainly interesting enough for a book, his private life, in particular his love life, was very tragic in a sad way though. After Ronnie Peterson died he started a relationship with Ronnie's ex wife, Barbro Edwardsson, but she commited suicide 9 years after Ronnie's death but she never had properly coped with the accident, Watson suffered a lot from that. I imagine they couldn't leave that out of a biography but it's a very sensitive matter.

I doubt that there will ever be an autobiography - but a biography (no published yet) would be great too...
Anyone? What about Twin Window?

BTW: This Audio podcast with John Watson (Motor Sport Magazine - 2009) is great.

http://www.motorspor...th-john-watson/

Very interesting comments about Monaco 1978, Lauda and Bernie.

Lutz

Edited by Lutz G, 29 June 2011 - 09:28.

[mfd]

Hmmm, it´s hard to say.
Absolute stunning piece, no question but if I recall correctly Watson first wore a Bell XFM-1 helmet in 1984, so the Snell sticker must say "1980" instead of "1975"
The Marlboro sticker in top of the visor is also missing. The screws holding the visor aren´t original too.
But maybe someone knows better.

I have a photo of him wearing an XFM1 in 1980, the year they were introduced. The screws are original. The colours varied

[funformula]

I have a photo of him wearing an XFM1 in 1980, the year they were introduced. The screws are original. The colours varied

Regarding the screws, the 3 position fixture system of the visor is completely missing.
What makes me wonder is the almost perfect surface of the helmet, showing no scuffs and marks as you would expect from a used helmet.
Regarding the inside and the visor it seems to be a used helmet.

What about the velcro strip for the nomex skirt, did Watson ever use these skirts?

[mfd]

Regarding the screws, the 3 position fixture system of the visor is completely missing.
What makes me wonder is the almost perfect surface of the helmet, showing no scuffs and marks as you would expect from a used helmet.
Regarding the inside and the visor it seems to be a used helmet.

What about the velcro strip for the nomex skirt, did Watson ever use these skirts?

Plastic plates missing - but not significant. I have 3 different XFM1 in photos & all have velcro

[Verhage]

It cross (the back) is coarse, it must finer.

[Lutz G]

The other day - John Watson on TFL

http://www.youtube.c...p;v=GpLMlrZeU-E

-snip-

http://smibs.tv/live

With Peter Windsor this week marking his 40th year in F1, The Flying Lap is delighted to invite John Watson into the London studio to share with us some of the highs and lows of the past four decades - and also to bring his own, inimitable twist to the F1 race prospects for 2012. A beautifully clean and fast racing driver, John is perhaps best-known for winning the 1981 British GP at Silverstone. This was McLaren's first win with the pioneering carbon-fibre chassis - and also the team's first since October, 1977. He also scored an emotional debut victory for Penske in Austria, 1976, exactly one year after the team lost their American star, Mark Donohue, and became a big name in the USA thanks to his two stunning victories for McLaren on the Detroit and Long Beach street courses in 1982 and 1983. On both occasions he sliced through the field not only to win but also to beat his brilliant team-mate, Niki Lauda. In retirement, John has been highly-acclaimed globally for his F1 analysis and commentary on all media platforms, including TSN in Canada, BBC Radio 5 Live, Eurosport and Sky Digital Plus.

-snap-


Lutz

Edited by Lutz G, 10 March 2012 - 20:14.

[Thundersports]

John really should do a autobiography anyone here in contact? 

[Nick Planas]

John really should do a autobiography anyone here in contact? 

Hear hear! I would snap that up the instant it was published, Always had a soft spot for his talent, and honesty

[Nemo1965]

There was a hilarious picture taken in the weekend John Watson won the British GP in 1981, that showed John Watson mid-bite in an enormous hamburger. In my memory, it looked like a crash mid-action, with parts flying everywhere. That could be my mind embellishing things, but for certain the photographer had taken care to snap the picture at the ‘right’ time. Good for your website… I think it was in Autosport, because in my mind it was in black & white, not in color as GP International only used…

[Richard Jenkins]

John really should do a autobiography anyone here in contact? 

 

John has said on a few occasions that he's not interested. I brought it up with him when I had a phone call with him earlier this summer and he just chuckled.

 

If he does ever give in, I think Maurice Hamilton has to be the first in line to do it.

[LucaSchroeder]

Before that he'd race a JP-Norton 500, and from 1955-57 a 2-litre Alta

i am currently restoring the 2litre Alta he drove, do you have more history about it? 

i would also love to get into contact with John Watson to talk about his father.

 

best wishes from Germany

Luca

[SamoanAttorney]

John was in fine form today at John Wickham's funeral, a legend.