1955 : The Year That Almost Ended Auto Racing

     The year 1955 was a tragic one in the world of auto racing. It seemed that the world had seen enough, and there were certain forces behind the scenes that wanted to eliminate the sport and end the deaths. But there was money to be made, and there was always someone who would risk there life to win, so the races and the dying, went on, and continues today.
     The outcry started at Indianapolis when two-time defending champion Bill Vukovich was killed while  leading the race. Vukovich was extending his lead, when he glanced down while exiting turn 2 and entering the long backstrech. He did not see that a car had spun up ahead and was sitting crossways blocking his path.  Vukovich steered sharply left, but the rear wheel caught the outside guardrail(which was only 3 feet tall) and threw his car over the rail and into a parking lot outside the track. After the first end-over-end flip the car hit cockpit (and driver ) first killing Vukovich instantly. The car continued to flip over a dozen times and came to rest on an access road just outside the track. As the car came to rest upside down , it burst into flames, in full view of the crowded grandstands just across the rack. Minutes elapsed as the car sat burning before a firetruck arrived and put out the flames. Eddie elisian, who had spun to avoid an upside down car on the track, rushed to his friends car, and tried repeatedly to turn it over, was dragged away and he went back to his car. Despondant, he pulled into the pits and got out of the car. While telling the story to his crew, the car owner became incensed and told Elisian that if he ever pulled a stunt like that again he would be fired on the spot, and to get in the car and finish the race. Dejected, Elisian did. He was later awarded a medal for heroism for his actions. Meanwhile, Vukovich was extracted from the mangled car and the race went on.

     Later in the same year the annual 24 hours of LeMans race was held in France as scheduled. The annual exhibition of speed and endurance was a known proving ground for auto manufacturers from around the world. The old ,narrow two lane  road course was a dangerous one, which had claimed its share of lives over the years. Spectators were crowded into an area between the grandstrands and the track. This area was protected only by a four foot high earthen berm and a small fence. The spectators wanted to be close to the action, and filled this area early before the race. In 1955 it was standing room only in this area.
     Just a few hours into the 24 hour race, an accident occurred on the frontstretch, sending a car off of the track into the crowd. In the span of 3.3 seconds 82 spectators were killed and hundreds were injured. Inspite of the tragedy the race went on. The officials wanted to get the injured out without the 100,000's of peoplew trying to leave at the same time.. the track was so large many of the spectators didnt know what had happened until later. the race went on at full speed, except in the narrow frontstretch where the carnage occurred. Several manufacturers pulled out after the accident, but others did not, and pulled out the victory although it was a hollow one.
     Newsreel footage of the accident was shown around the world, adding to the outcry to ban racing altogether. The next few races in the series were cancelled due to safety concerns, but changes were made at the remaining tracks and the racing went on, and continues today.