Watkins Glen   Oct. 3, 1971

       Formula One Ferrari

I had a chance to drive Mario Andretti's F1 Ferrari, at the Glen in 1971, but no sponsor's

name could appear on car, so the opportunity slipped between my fingers.

    The car was scheduled for Andretti, who had a commitment for an Indy Car race at Trenton, N.J.  I had just won Ecuador with Greg Young a few days earlier, and heard Mario's car was available.  I contacted Mauro Forghieri who spoke to the Commendatore.

     Andretti was OK with me in the car. I was one of five International FIA rated drivers in the US.

Mr. Ferrari was OK with it also, but there was a price tag to drive it:  $5500 for a rebuild after the Glen race.

     I contacted Herb Wetson, who was excited about being involved, as he had just opened a new Italian Restaurant in New York called "Mamma Mia's".  Herb wanted a full size photo of the car hanging in his restaurant.  When I got back to Ferrari, Forghieri said they wouldn't allow any advertising on the car, not even my driver's suit or helmet!  It was a major dilemma for me.  I had the money to buy the ride, however, I never personally bought a ride in my career and felt very strongly about not doing so at the time.

1971 Ferrari Formula One 312B2 in the garage with rain tires

     If I could have arranged for Wetson's name on the car, I would have driven it.  Instead, the car sat idle, no one drove it.  I look back now and think I should have done it.  Like investing in a college career.  Maybe this ride would have been the best of my life.  But who knows?  I am here to talk about my Formula One choice while Revson and Donohue are not.

     The 312B2 was fast, recording some very good qualifying results that year.  However, it had terrible reliability and rarely finished a race.  Jacky Ickx managed to finish the Dutch Grand Prix and scored Ferrari's only F1 win that year.

Tony Adamowicz, Gary Wheeler, Tony a2z, Tony Adamowics, a2zRacer, Gary Wheeler, Tony Adamowicz

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