Worst Crash in Motorsports History

June 11, 1955

Eighty-three spectators and a driver are killed in an accident during the 24 Hours of Le Mans auto race in France. While preparing for a pit stop, driver Mike Hawthorn pulled to the right side of the track in front of driver Lance Macklin and started braking. Macklin, unable to brake fast enough, swerved left in front of Pierre Levegh who was traveling over 125 mph (200 km/h). Levegh’s car launched over Mackin’s and over a protective barrier hitting the spectator area. Levegh was thrown from the car and died on impact. Seatbelts were not in use at the time. His car disintegrated showering the spectators with debris. The hood decapitated several spectators and others were crushed by the engine and other parts of the vehicle.
The official inquiry ruled none of the drivers were specifically responsible and criticized the layout of the 30-year-old track. The track had been designed in 1923, when top speeds of cars were about 60 mph (100 km/h). By 1955, top speeds were over 170 mph (270 km/h). The only barrier between the track and spectators was a 4 ft (1.2 m) earthen bank. The race continued with Hawthorn and his team easily winning, as their main competition had been taken out of the race. Organizers claimed they continued the race, because they didn’t want exiting spectators preventing emergency vehicles from getting through.