Classic Motorsport Photos

[daan]

I still shake my head in disbelief that Mercedes Benz got it so horribly wrong, especially after being so dominant following their return to Sportscars.

It's like they learnt nothing from the previous 2 years of research, testing, development & racing.

Mud over a lot of faces, but I'm just glad Webber & Dumbreck both survived their flights without harm.

Wasn't just Merc though. Cars were flipping all over the place round about then.

 

[Pete05]

Wasn't just Merc though. Cars were flipping all over the place round about then.

You're right. I remember the Porsche, which should have been a warning to all, but I don't recall the BMW.

The BMW is truly bizarre as they managed to survive the 1999 Le Mans 24hr for the win.

Besides fire, a racer's car turning into a kite is arguably what they fear the most.
They don't do safety tests for that.

 

[daan]

Besides fire, a racer's car turning into a kite is arguably what they fear the most.
They don't do safety tests for that.

They were all really lucky that they landed roughly the right way up.

 

[Pete05]

They were all really lucky that they landed roughly the right way up.

Of all the cars to take flight in that period, for me, the luckiest is Peter Dumbreck.
His car went over the guardrail that lined the circuit, and landed amongst tall trees.
It doesn't bare thinking what would've happened had he hit a tree, mid-flight at 100mph +.

 

[Liquid]

1998 Le Mans 24 Hours

Stéphane Ortelli takes a selfie of himself and co-drivers Laurent Aïello & Allan McNish after their victory in the Porsche 911 GT1.