The deadliest crash in racing history happened 60 yrs ago today.

[Lurknomore]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1955_Le_Mans_disaster

Over 80 dead, including the Mercedes driver Levegh, over 120 injured.
What's most surprising was that the race was allowed to continue (official reason given was that aborting the race would allow spectators to crowd the road, slowing ambulances).

 

[madoka]

Does your occupation involve any basic math skills?

 

[Lurknomore]

Oops, thanx for the correction.

 

[Brian Stirling]

In addition to the advances made in car design that's improved safety of both race cars and passenger cars the race tracks have also improved over time.

But, I am surprised there haven't been more spectators killed at WRC races as the spectators line the dirt roads and there's no barriers. I've seen some near misses that are insane!


Brian

 

[techs]

I searched some youtube vids and it was horrific. Example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEk85gKJN6k

 

[Lurknomore]

I searched some youtube vids and it was horrific. Example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEk85gKJN6k

Yeah, most footage that is shown is of the hood and axle flying at high speed into the stands, but it looks like what really killed the most spectators was that heavy engine block tumbling into the crowd at 1:05, look closely at that thing literally mowing people down. Truly horrific!

 

[Paratus]

I searched some youtube vids and it was horrific. Example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEk85gKJN6k

Jalopnik had an article on this.

http://jalopnik.com/just-how-horrifying-was-the-worst-crash-in-motorsports-1589382023/1710702151

 

[The Boston Dangler]

despite being spectacularly deadly, this wasn't the catalyst for change we 21st century people would think. racing remained largely suicidal for anyone involved well into the 70's, when driver boycotts forced the issue. progress was slow until the early 90's, and since imola 1994 safety has been a priority. it can be argued this has neutered motorsports to varying extent, although i think the ever-increasing professionalism has also contributed to that.

this year's 24 hours of le mans starts at saturday 9 am eastern US time, and should be a good one. if a thread isn't created, discussion is always welcome in the f1 thread.

 

[KeithP]

BBC documentary: https://youtu.be/j0RfHIjgr0c

-KeithP

 

[Brian Stirling]

I watched the youtube videos on the 1955 crash and thankfully the quality of the video was pretty low and the perspective far enough away so as not to focus to pointedly at the gore. Somewhere in the comments section was a reference to the 2002 Ukraine Air Show crash that had a similar death and injury toll, but the video of that crash and it's aftermath is absolutely horrific.

I warn you that viewing that video is not for the faint of heart -- I could not watch the whole thing. You've been warned...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mlo1pqg5adY


Brian

 

[techs]

I watched the youtube videos on the 1955 crash and thankfully the quality of the video was pretty low and the perspective far enough away so as not to focus to pointedly at the gore. Somewhere in the comments section was a reference to the 2002 Ukraine Air Show crash that had a similar death and injury toll, but the video of that crash and it's aftermath is absolutely horrific.

I warn you that viewing that video is not for the faint of heart -- I could not watch the whole thing. You've been warned...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mlo1pqg5adY


Brian

It was so bizarre seeing the dead and dying along with their body parts strewn about while spectators, including children, are walking around among them at the air show.
btw was that the pilot of the fighter jet who was getting out of his parachute?

 

[_Rick_]

What I find most surprising, is that at the Mercedes museum they have their race cars, including one of those 300 SLRs in an exposition, but not a word is lost anywhere with regard to the one accident that most changed the face of motor racing, in all history.

Sure, it's not a point of pride, but damn, it's a central part of Mercedes motorsport's history.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

What I find most surprising, is that at the Mercedes museum they have their race cars, including one of those 300 SLRs in an exposition, but not a word is lost anywhere with regard to the one accident that most changed the face of motor racing, in all history.

Sure, it's not a point of pride, but damn, it's a central part of Mercedes motorsport's history.

Death tolls don't make it into German history.

Mercedes museum is awesome BTW.

 

[Brian Stirling]

It was so bizarre seeing the dead and dying along with their body parts strewn about while spectators, including children, are walking around among them at the air show.
btw was that the pilot of the fighter jet who was getting out of his parachute?

There were two crew on the plane and both survived but I only saw the one guy that landed among the bodies. I had to turn it off not long after that so I didn't see the other crew member.

It's sometimes surprising how you happen to get someplace on the internet as you surf from place to place. Started here on this thread, navigated to YouTube to check out the videos on the 1955 crash, then found myself looking at the airshow crash. I noted the warning about graphic content but didn't think it would be that graphic given it was YouTube and all.

I just an't imagine what it must have been like for those that survived but saw there family members ground into paste on the flight line. Just horrible...


Brian