Post Description

Deadliest Crash The Le Mans 1955 Disaster

The 1955 Le Mans disaster occurred during the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans when a racing car involved in an accident flew into the crowd, killing the driver (Pierre Levegh) and 84 spectators. 100 people were injured in the accident. In terms of human toll, it is the most catastrophic accident in motorsports history.

Three years in the making in conjunction with the BBC. Using never seen before home movies, photos and eye witness accounts - this is the inside story of the world`s biggest motorsport disaster. - Unique colour cine film - Eye witness accounts from the grandstands and the teams - Unique colour still photographs It was destined to be the greatest endurance race of all time. Instead the 1955 Le Mans became the worst disaster in motor racing history. On June 11th on the home straight, Stirling Moss`s co-driver Fangio, Pierre Levegh, Lance Macklin and future British World Champion Mike Hawthorn became embroiled in a disaster of unprecedented scale. At 6.26pm a Mercedes 300 SLR smashed into the crowd causing an unimaginable death toll. Many believe this incident ruined both Hawthorn and Macklin`s lives. Deadliest Crash is the dramatic story of the day racing was changed forever. The carnage, seen through eye witness accounts, includes the stories of the survivors from the packed grandstands and members of the Mercedes and Jaguar teams at the heart of the disaster.