20 replies to this topic

[aportinga]

Who can elaborate more on the Bog People at W/G?

[Geoff E]

It seems to be explained here https://bangshift.co...-us-grand-prix/

[aportinga]

Thanks! 

 

Anyone here have personal experience with "stuff" such as this from that era. It's pretty crazy!

 

I've read up about the Snake Pit at Indy but did not know this was perhaps a normal "thing" during the time.

[Bob Riebe]

Donnybrook up here had a true bog where trucks, and people who had drank too much with cars would slop around, gut stuck,  during a race, surrounded by more people passed out from booze than race watchers.

It was also a time when wayside rests along the highway would turn into campgrounds with people not making to the track as they were too **** faced, and enjoyed such things as throwing cheery bombs into the outhouse **** hole.

You did not see people pulled over for DUI back then even though the law knew they were **** faced.

Different time, different society.

Although at Road America once I saw a yout pulled out of a car , through the window , when a Wisconsin Highway Patrol told him to dump his beer out and instead he chugged it.

Fascinating times.

Edited by Bob Riebe, 15 December 2020 - 16:11.

[d j fox]

No personal experience but I did meet someone, best described as a former hippy , who seemed proud of the fact that he didn't, as intended, witness the US F1 GP at WG as he had been arrested in the Bog the previous day. He couldn't actually remember which year which probably explained why "he was assisting the WG Police with their enquiries"--if you get my drift... er Man

Edited by d j fox, 15 December 2020 - 17:09.

[Tim Murray]

This rather ancient thread may be of interest:

The Bog at Watkins Glen

The year I went we walked very nervously (and rapidly!) past the ‘Bog people’, but they seemed to have been reasonably well-behaved that year.

[Sir Mowog]

During Saturday practice, my brother and I saw smoke not too far from where we were. When we went to check it out, we saw a car on fire, the flames licking a small pickup and people throwing bottles at the car. We got the heck out of there. I think that was the 1980 GP when there was a riot Saturday night and the NY State Police came in to disperse the crowd.

We were there for the race, but there was a big contingent who could care less. It was kind of scary at times. Okay to tell the stories now, but at the time it was not so funny. 
With the exception of this year, I make the trip to Watkins Glen annually for the vintage races. The Bog is gone and it is now a very family friendly facility. 

 

[Ray Bell]

I guess you mean they 'couldn't care less'...

 

I always felt that Keir should have contributed more to the previous thread, I'm sure he knew more.

 

And there's another thread, I feel sure, which had a photo of the bus which was burned out.

[2F-001]

And there's another thread, I feel sure, which had a photo of the bus which was burned out.

There is a stack of photos in links at the end of the article linked to in Geoff's post above (post 2).

 

What struck me as odd when reading, from afar, about the The Bog in period was how it was allowed to go on (though I hadn't known it was not technically inside the circuit - was it the circuit taking the admission fee to the bog?)

And reading about it now, how at odds it seems with the Glen's former, and formative, history (mostly gleaned from TNF - thank you) which I imagine had more of a "high society" atmosphere to its surroundings. 

Edited by 2F-001, 16 December 2020 - 06:04.

[E1pix]

Ah Yes, The Bog... I can still feel the tear gas...

I do have stories to tell, but we’re “camped” in a mechanic’s parking lot in Indio, California and have to fix our bus first. ‘Tis a VW after all...

[john aston]

For some reason, can't think why, I am thinking of the banger racing at Barnard Castle. Goodwood it ain't. . Shudder. 

[2F-001]

... at Barnard Castle ... 

Now somewhat better known as the World Centre for eyesight testing!**

 

(** UK-centric socio-political meme)

Edited by 2F-001, 16 December 2020 - 08:36.

[GreenMachine]

Is this where I mention the top of the Mountain camping area during the HF500? 

[aportinga]

There is a stack of photos in links at the end of the article linked to in Geoff's post above (post 2).

 

What struck me as odd when reading, from afar, about the The Bog in period was how it was allowed to go on (though I hadn't known it was not technically inside the circuit - was it the circuit taking the admission fee to the bog?)

And reading about it now, how at odds it seems with the Glen's former, and formative, history (mostly gleaned from TNF - thank you) which I imagine had more of a "high society" atmosphere to its surroundings. 

 

Looking at some pics from the SnakePit in 77 and I can see a few burned out cars. Then there is this speak about the "animal farm" at ... crap I forgot already. damn I am old.

[Sisyphus]

Was the Bog outside the track east of the Esses?  I have never seen a photo with enough of the track and Bog to figure out exactly where it was.

[DogEarred]

Ah Yes, The Bog... I can still feel the tear gas...
I do have stories to tell, but we’re “camped” in a mechanic’s parking lot in Indio, California and have to fix our bus first. ‘Tis a VW after all...

In a scary, dangerous, ever evolving world, it’s reassuring to know that some things never change...

[E1pix]

Westfailure!

[JacnGille]

My one and only USGP was in '79. I had read and heard so many Bog stories that I pulled my Sirocco's distributer rotor to prevent someone stealin it for Bog Firewood! 

[Lee Nicolle]

During Saturday practice, my brother and I saw smoke not too far from where we were. When we went to check it out, we saw a car on fire, the flames licking a small pickup and people throwing bottles at the car. We got the heck out of there. I think that was the 1980 GP when there was a riot Saturday night and the NY State Police came in to disperse the crowd.

We were there for the race, but there was a big contingent who could care less. It was kind of scary at times. Okay to tell the stories now, but at the time it was not so funny. 
With the exception of this year, I make the trip to Watkins Glen annually for the vintage races. The Bog is gone and it is now a very family friendly facility. 

Sounds like Bathurst up on the mountain. Some true ferals get up there. Many who would normally be respectable people.

[LittleChris]

Was the Bog outside the track east of the Esses?  I have never seen a photo with enough of the track and Bog to figure out exactly where it was.

 

Outside the track between turns 10 & 11 according to this site

 

THE BOG (glenphotos.com)

[brucemoxon]

Sounds like Bathurst up on the mountain. Some true ferals get up there. Many who would normally be respectable people.

Possibly deserves its own thread.

 

 

BRM