[LM24 Race] 1955 the crash that almost ended motor racing

[chernaudi]

Originally Posted by rdjones

IIRC correctly it was only put up in 2005, I seem to remember they had some sort of service on the weekend between the test weekend and the race.

In the 1973 film "Speed Merchants" there was footage of the '72 LM24, and a similar, but larger and slightly more ornate plaque, was shown near where the accident happened.

There's probably been a few memorials near that spot for the majority of the past 55 years.

[GT6]

Originally Posted by strider

Just my opinion, but I feel some people on here owe Piglet an apology in the spirit of the thread.

I am sorry you feel that there is an excuss for the comment about Bunting on the memorial, to me that was in very bad taste and I am sure he regrets that comment, however his later comments proved that he never ment to make a joke of it and respects the memory of those people that died on that day.

[ClaireSmith]

Originally Posted by GT6

I am sorry you feel that there is an excuss for the comment about Bunting on the memorial, to me that was in very bad taste and I am sure he regrets that comment, however his later comments proved that he never ment to make a joke of it and respects the memory of those people that died on that day.

Erm I dont think you should assume gender here GT6 you may find I think that "he" as you put it may be a she actually.


I had never actually seen what had happened, I had heard of the crash of 55 and it is covered briefly in a book I have by Brian Laban but although I have been a fan of the race since as long as I can remember and attended for the last 18 years on and off, it was (im going to say it) before my time and there wasnt a lot of media on it when I was growing up.

With regard to the use of the word "Bunting" I am sure Piglet ment no intentional harm by the use of the word, though it clearly was the wrong choice of word to use in the context of such a highly charged thread. Sometimes emotions run high and people say the wrong thing, or in their opinion, say what they believe is right, only to find out others dont think the same thing and that its not right (we only have to look this week at the clerk of the COURT (not course) who felt compelled to tell a magistrate he shouldnt use the word "scum" to describe the defendants before him...nonsense in my opinion by the way))

This film was for me very informative (as I have said previously, i never knew what really happened) and the eye witness accounts were compelling I thought. My first thought at seeing Norman Dewis was excitement as a "ohhh I have met him" went through my mind, but as the documentary went on, the excitment turned sour and the thought dissapeared and was overtaken by the pure sadness at it all. I have been discussing this offline and discussing as a clerk what would you do, of course, it is very difficult to address for nowadays things are different and I can only look at it from what I know now, it was a completely different event really with regard to Race Control etc in those days (well I believe that) As we know though, and it is very hard to say it but its true, Motorsport changed because of that day and still strives to become safer and safer for both the competitor and indeed the spectator, i guess the one thing it brought home to me was the inclusion of the triangle on every race ticket that is sold in this country .....and how true the words are that are within it.


Memorials - well I shall go off subject briefly, both my mother and father (who served in Burma btw Piglet) have passed away , they were for a time without a proper headstone because of council rules with regards to that sort of stuff...anyway, the only thing they had there was just a wooden cross, nothing more, for over a year, it didnt at all take away my memories of them, it didnt take away my love for them nor that of my families. The people that they (my mum and dad) matered to still loved them and missed them and remembered them. The memorial of that 1955 Crash is not just the physical thing detailed in the picture posted before, its the memories of the families that lost lives that day the memories of the relatives that lost their loved ones that day, its the memories of those who survived that day, who thought "there but for the grace of god....." but the most important memorial to that tragic tragic day is the fact that you will (well I will) go to Le Mans this year and watch the race in relative safety, not more than 200 yrds from where that tragic event happened. Safely with some 280,000 other fans of the worlds greatest motor race, listening to Hindy and Trussers and the rest of those people who love it with a passion.
People may not see it this way but I think the fact the race goes on, the fact that it survived that awful moment in its history, the fact that we changed the rules and continue to change the rules when we look at safety and enjoyment is the best memorial to the people and events of that tragic day, for what it is worth I will make an effort to see the memorial when I go this year, and, as I sit opposite the pits I will look down and to my right and spare a thought to those in 1955

I disagree with the statement that "we dont learn by memorials" because depending on what you call a memorial, this race is proof that we do.

[Steven Humphrey]

I've just watched the film and it definately filled in a lot of the gaps in my knowledge of the accident. I was aware of the tragedy from an early age as my step dad had a big book of 'worlds greatest disasters' which featured the accident. My first visit to Le Mans was in 2005 and I'm sure there was a minutes silence over the weekend (correct me if I'm wrong) plus there was an article in the program. I wasn't aware of the fierce rivalry between Jag & Merc or the circumstances leading up to the crash, or how the crash actually happened so the film was good for that. All in all, I'm glad I watched it, though it was very upsetting at times. It does make me think of all those people who complain about not getting close enough to the track & not being able to take pictures through the catch fencing-I wonder if they would think that after seeing the film?

[johngee]

Having spoken to a number of people who saw the programme, both involved in the sport, or who know of my interest, I think the overwhelming view is that the stark simplicity of the memorial is actually deeply moving in itself and that something larger or more elaborate would, in fact, add nothing to the rememberance of the tragedy. In other words, the scale of the tragedy was so profound that no memorial can adequately capture what happened that day.
What is interesting to me is that my first visit to Le Mans was in 1969 (yes, I was very young!!!!) and the circuit, as it appeared in the archive footage was, apparently, very little changed by then.
Totally OT, does anybody know what happened to the Dutray branded clock that used to hang over the pits, when the rebuilding took place?

[mickey29]

My personal opinion and the reason for my discomfort:

The film was a fascinating and at times greatly moving attempt to demonstrate the tragic optimism of the 1950s.

The film was a programme of 3 acts and missed on a great opportunity to expand Act 3.

The first act; the build up and context was (from a spectator's point of view) an exciting pre race show. A (all too) brief description of each driver and team and more importantly, expressing the stories of the spectators who represented the survivors. The only negative comment I have is that I found the incidental music very intrusive.

Act 2 was both compelling and distressing. The tales of the spectators versus the near inhumanity of keeping the race going (although I understand why the organisers kept racing). My wife and I were both moved by the tales of the 3 spectators and (I can only speak for myself here) sickened by the racers.

The aftermath was the weakest part of the programme and missed a vital opportunity rally show the lasting affect this incident had on the sport.

I also felt uncomfortable after watching the programme. After some consideration I think my discomfort was caused by a conflict of 3 elements and emotions:

My excitement and wonderment about the size and nature of the spectacle that is Le Mans 24 hours (I have never been but love watching it)

My shock at the scale of the accident and the nature of peoples' injuries and the way that the people died.

Finally (and this caused me a restless night). I feel guilty. I love motor racing, I love the spectacle of cars and drivers cling to the edge as they battle. Yet the actions of the ACO, the drivers and the teams was not sport. In my opinion it was greed and desire.

That doesn't sit well with me as a fan of racing.

I do not condemn either racer involved in the accident. The incident was AN ACCIDENT. Macklin, Hawthorn and Levegh all paid a price for their racing.

I do condemn Hawthorn's celebrations and I applaud Mercedes for pulling out.

The race should have been stopped and humanity and humility should have been more in evidence.

The memorial is appropriate and I salute those who died and those who didn't.

That said, I am really looking forward to Le Mans this year as always.

[strider]

Originally Posted by mickey29

My personal opinion and the reason for my discomfort:

The film was a fascinating and at times greatly moving attempt to demonstrate the tragic optimism of the 1950s.

The film was a programme of 3 acts and missed on a great opportunity to expand Act 3.

The first act; the build up and context was (from a spectator's point of view) an exciting pre race show. A (all too) brief description of each driver and team and more importantly, expressing the stories of the spectators who represented the survivors. The only negative comment I have is that I found the incidental music very intrusive.

Act 2 was both compelling and distressing. The tales of the spectators versus the near inhumanity of keeping the race going (although I understand why the organisers kept racing). My wife and I were both moved by the tales of the 3 spectators and (I can only speak for myself here) sickened by the racers.

The aftermath was the weakest part of the programme and missed a vital opportunity rally show the lasting affect this incident had on the sport.

I also felt uncomfortable after watching the programme. After some consideration I think my discomfort was caused by a conflict of 3 elements and emotions:

My excitement and wonderment about the size and nature of the spectacle that is Le Mans 24 hours (I have never been but love watching it)

My shock at the scale of the accident and the nature of peoples' injuries and the way that the people died.

Finally (and this caused me a restless night). I feel guilty. I love motor racing, I love the spectacle of cars and drivers cling to the edge as they battle. Yet the actions of the ACO, the drivers and the teams was not sport. In my opinion it was greed and desire.

That doesn't sit well with me as a fan of racing.

I do not condemn either racer involved in the accident. The incident was AN ACCIDENT. Macklin, Hawthorn and Levegh all paid a price for their racing.

I do condemn Hawthorn's celebrations and I applaud Mercedes for pulling out.

The race should have been stopped and humanity and humility should have been more in evidence.

The memorial is appropriate and I salute those who died and those who didn't.

That said, I am really looking forward to Le Mans this year as always.

A very good post and one with which I entirely agree.

Much has been said and written about the tragedy and there are many contradictions, e.g. Wiki says that Jaguar did not celebrate after the race, whereas the film showed that they clearly did and that the French people were understandable disgusted by that.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by ClaireSmith

(we only have to look this week at the clerk of the COURT (not course) who felt compelled to tell a magistrate he shouldnt use the word "scum" to describe the defendants before him...nonsense in my opinion by the way))

Off topic comment alert I have to type this or my brain will explode! . An interesting comment (bearing in mind what I do for a living - and in reality, a 'clerk of the Court' is in modern parlance a 'Court Legal Adviser'...... For my sins, I manage 18 of them..... Thanks for reading, you've been a wonderful audience. Don't forget to try the veal and tip your waitress. We now return you to the topic

[nobster]

Will the film de available at the chatters stand under the grandstand?
They usually have lots of dvd's with them.

[AstonGeoff]

Originally Posted by nobster

Will the film de available at the chatters stand under the grandstand?
They usually have lots of dvd's with them.

Best bet is to drop them an email and ask, but I would have thought it would be on someones stand!

[johntt]

Originally Posted by mickey29

The race should have been stopped and humanity and humility should have been more in evidence.

I half agree.

As pointed out by the programme, stopping the race would have caused everyone to rush to the exits and would have impeded the efforts to get the injured to hospital.

After everything had been cleared up, then they should have stopped the race.

[ClaireSmith]

Originally Posted by ClaireSmith

........... for what it is worth I will make an effort to see the memorial when I go this year, and, as I sit opposite the pits I will look down and to my right and spare a thought to those in 1955

Following on from my post and those words above, While there this year I did look down and spare a thought about the crash, I also managed to take in a french documentary on the crash (shown on the local TV network) , similair in many ways to the one discussed in this thread, though, I believe it gave a bigger insight into the event (there was more footage also)

It was a glorious sunny afternoon on Sunday, roundabout five maybe six o clock when all the celebration was over this year and all but a few remained at the track when I visited the memorial.

For me, personally, its simplicity is just, its location and its size to me is (if such a thing can be and forgive me if it offends) perfect and I will state my reason for that statement: In my opinion, given where it is and taking into account its surroundings, looking round up the Start/Finish Straight, opposite at the great stands above the pits, behind it at the stands and indeed the catchment fencing that now stands to protect, and the concrete barrier some six foot in front of it, it is, in my eyes as I said, only part of the greater memorial.

[PVDA]

Haven't seen the doco appear in Australia as yet but the main thing is that we must learn from history or we risk repeating it.

Safety systems have improved over the years and many of those who died may well be alive today if modern medical help was available back in 1955.

[Cougar]

This seems to be back in iplayer now again, for anyone who missed it before (UK only)

[AstonGeoff]

It was shown on BBC2 last night, so it'll be on iPlayer for a week.