
The unforgettable James Hunt savors victory at Watkins Glen in 1977.

Three-time world champion Jackie Stewart says that Watkins Glen was a unique stop off for F1 drivers more used to a jet-set lifestyle and glamorous locations.

There was tragedy too, though. Stewart's Tyrrell teammate Francois Cevert was killed after crashing during qualifying for the 1973 US Grand Prix.

Many of the sports most famous drivers won at Watkins Glen including Canada's Gilles Villeneuve who took the checkered flag in 1979.

Spectators would turn up in their thousands, Stewart recalls -- the Scot likened the atmosphere at Watkins Glen to a music festival.

Mario Andretti never won the US Grand Prix at "The Glen" but he was crowned F1 world champion in 1978.

Andretti remains the last American to win motorsport's premier race series.

James Hunt won back-to-back US Grand Prix in 1976 -- the year he won the F1 world title -- and the following year.