On October 6, 1963, Watkins Glen hosted the eighth race of the season; The race was won by Graham Hill, driving a BRM car after a grueling 110-lap race.
Although Jim Clark had already won his first sporting world title at the 1963 United States Grand Prix, a large number of drivers had signed up: including rookie Pedro Rodriguez driving a third Lotus car – the Climax. Chris Amon, still injured after the crash at Monza, was replaced by Austin Gregory in Reg Parnell Racing’s Lola, while the two Lotus cars also owned by Reg Parnell were handed over to Americans Rodger Ward and Hap Sharp.
Starting network
During the qualifiers Graham Hill He took three in his career before that Jim Clark With his lotus. Ferrari John Surtees I shared the second row with Ritchie Ginther’s BRM
Fifth and sixth time for Brabhams Jack Brabham And Dan Gurney. They completed the top ten
Trevor Taylor With a lotus, then Mr. Gregory, Lorenzo Bandini On Ferrari e Tony Maggs With Cooper.
Race
Before the race started, Clark was stuck on the grid with a battery problem, losing a lap and leaving Hill to remain in the test ahead of teammate Ginther.
On lap seven, Surtees took the lead past both BRMs. Hill, Surtees and Gurney, who beat Ginther in the early stages, battled for the top spots for most of the race. On lap 32, Hill, who had meanwhile been passed by Gurney, regained second place and began chasing the Ferrari. After 10 laps, the American Brabham driver was forced to retire due to chassis problems.
Surtees remained firmly in the lead until the eighty-third lap until his Ferrari’s engine failed. Thus Hill returned to pole position, leading until the checkered flag and taking his second win of the season ahead of Ginther, Clark, author of a brilliant comeback and fastest lap. Brabham, Bandini and Karel Godin de Beaufort all scored points for Porsche.
Final standings for the 1963 US Grand Prix
“Prone to fits of apathy. Introvert. Award-winning internet evangelist. Extreme beer expert.”
