Whee Jackie!

Exciting; that’s how Jackie Stewart stands in my memory. There’s a lot more to be said of the three-time World Champion from Scotland (and it’s all been said!), but bring it down to a single word and I still think Stewart is one of the most exciting racers I’ve ever watched.

“Wee Jackie” was his press moniker in the early days, but in my mind the spelling became “Whee!” the first time I saw him drive. It was at Watkins Glen for the U.S. Grand Prix of 1965. That was the last year of the 1.5-liter F1s, and those dainty machines were not what you’d call muscled-up, but this new kid in the tartan-banded helmet was power sliding his BRM around the sharp final turn called “The 90” like a Cobra, holding the tail out all the way down past the ramshackle old pits.