[Buford61]

This long forgotten accident sent shock waves through the racing world in 1974. It happened at the 1974 Hutchinson, Kansas Modified Nationals and resulted in critical burns to three drivers, all of whom had 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 60 to 80% of their bodies. None died and a couple actually returned to racing after extensive recovery time. Heavily covered in National Speed Sport News (which is all we had in those days) it resulted in race tracks improving fire rescue equipment, requirements for fuel cells in many organizations, and drivers (including me) getting better suits and wearing gloves which many didn't have or do before this.

That said when I flipped a Sprint Car and blew up in a fireball 5 years later there was no fire equipment or rescue crew at all available. An infield spectator dragged me out of the burning car and a couple of fat firemen in raincoats waddled up with fire bottles (one of which didn't work) several minutes later as my car burned and we were throwing dirt on it.

Here are some pictures, a video, and links to learn more.

[windowlicker]

I haven't been able to find out anything about this chilling photo, I will add info when I get it.

The driver of what appear to be perhaps a 1920's / 1930's racer has been ejected from the burning wreck, dead on the track...

[fortythree]

Looks like could be pre 20's even. Here's Kenny Brack at Texas in 2003, got to be one of the hardest non fatal crashes ever. Does he still have any hangovers from it?

[Barton Farley]

After his big shunt, Kenny went to Parkland Hospital in Dallas for three weeks, then went to Methodist in Indy, then to Columbus. Eight weeks after the accident, he got in a car, with help, and ran good times (Richmond oval) but had no stamina. The following May he went to Indy and Rahal asked him to replace Buddy Rice who had a big shunt. After the 500, Mario asked Kenny if he wanted to go back full time with Newman-Haas. He got a call but decided to retire from the sport. He is now, among other things, the director of an investment company.

[windowlicker]

Craig Lowndes and Warren Luff collide during practice for this years Bathurst 1000. Luff lost the brakes on his Holden and took out Lowndes, but there were clearly no hard feelings afterwards...

[fortythree]

Small pic of Ricky Knotts crash at Daytona in 1980 (page 84). Not clear how it turned out to be fatal.

[windowlicker]

Another Lancia 037 crash, this time Henri Toivonen at Portugal 1984.

[Jack R]

Originally Posted by windowlicker ↗

Original post from page 25.


I think this photo of Musso's fatal crash is new to the thread, the driver being tended to on the right hand side.

Musso died in a GP Ferrari at Reims in 1958. This is a Ferrari sports car.

[fortythree]

Glad they didn't just use the junk yard grab.. Someone's 917 gets carted away, Le Mans 1970

[fortythree]

And a rare mistake from Jimmy Clark, putting his lotus in the barriers trying to lap a backmarker at Aintree in 64