A Tribute to the Brave and Bold Racing Car Drivers of the World
The Thrills and Chills of Car Racing
So many rock songs glorify living life to the fullest before it comes to an end. Think about Blue Oyster Cult’s iconic ”Don’t Fear the Reaper” and Bon Jovi’s power ballad ”Blaze of Glory”. Post-punk rocker Nick Cave devoted an entire album to death. Even old Frank Sinatra lived his life on his terms, as is clearly portrayed in his song ”I’m Gonna Live Until I Die”. For some people, getting the most out of life is simply securing a future by studying and then working hard, buying a house, getting married, then having a couple of kids, and maybe a dog or two. Other people believe that life should be lived with a thrill a minute — since everything kills you, you may as well choose something fun. People like racing car drivers.
Fast, Faster, Fastest!
Before the turn of the 20th century, competitive racing usually involved horses. As this was replaced by combustion engine cars, the competition shot up to a new level and got fiercer than ever. Let’s face it, hurling around a track in a powerful hunk of metal at insane speeds is absurdly dangerous. Thousands of racing car drivers and even crew members and spectators have been killed taking part in the sport, especially in the early years of auto racing. Yes, I know going as fast as possible while you’re in control of a powerful car is every petrol head’s dream, but going around a track with a lot of other cars at breakneck speeds is also a recipe for disaster, no matter how much fun it involves.
As safety technology advanced over the years and sanctions are implemented to limit speeds, the number of car racing-related deaths drastically reduced. But, despite added safety measures, it is still a very dangerous sport. And yet, we love it. And those that do have the utmost respect for the racing car drivers who risk life and limb to keep the most exciting spectator sport in the world alive — even though so many of their colleagues didn’t make it to the finish line, like Pierre Levegh.
The Catastrophic Crash of 1955
On 11 June 1955 at the Le Mans in France, Mike Hawthorn swerved his Jaguar to the right of the track in front of Lance Macklin’s Austin-Healey which swerved in front of French driver Pierre Levegh’s Mercedes Benz 300 SLR. Levegh crashed horrifically. His car was launched into the air, over a dirt berm and smashed down twice as the ill-fated driver was flung onto the track. The crash not only took Levegh’s life but also the lives of 83 spectators and injuring almost 180 others. In the aftermath of the fatal accident, Mercedes Benz retired from motor racing for over three decades. Also called the 1955 Le Mans disaster, it became known as the worst crash in motorsport history. It may have been one of the most catastrophic accidents in the history of car racing, but it is by no means the last to happen.
Other Dreadful Car Racing Deaths
All-time NASCAR champion Joe Weatherly had a reputation for getting behind the wheel after all-night parties and no sleep. He died in 1964 when his head moved outside the racing car and smashed into a retaining wall. Weatherly was 41 years old and he was not wearing his shoulder harness. Scott Kalitta, one of the top American drag racers who won back-to-back championships in the 1990s was killed on the track in New Jersey in 2008. During the final lap of a qualifying run, Kallita’s engine exploded and his parachute failed to deploy. Dan Wheldon, one of the most loved drivers of all time, was killed in Las Vegas in 2011. His car was one of 15 cars in a pile-up at the race. And more recently, yet another dreadful death occurred reminding me of the huge risks these racing car drivers take every time they get behind the wheel.
A Tragic Accident
Racing driver Anthoine Hubert had a massive accident at the recent Formula 2 in Belgium and subsequently died. The horrendous crash happened on the second lap of the F2 when Giuliano Alesi lost control of his car and drivers tearing up the hill had to take evasive action to avoid smashing into him. Hubert hit the tire wall and bounced back onto the track where he smashed into Juan Manuel Correa. The impact ravaged both cars and the drivers were taken to hospital where Hubert succumbed to his injuries. He was only 22 years old. Supported by Renault, the young driver won two F2 races this season and was expected to be the next French driver in line for a seat in F1. Sadly, this will never happen. Like so many others of this profession, he had a short but thrilling life.
