Many years ago at Daytona I was standing above the banking looking back into the turn where the cars come out of the infield , NASCAR 1, I think it's called. Anyway, the sun was setting and was shining directly into the cockpits. A BBLM approached, driver's foot deeply into the throttle, but not realizing there was oil about halfway up the banking. When the car hit it and convulsed for a split second, the driver's eyes were fully revealed and big as saucers. Of course, my camera wasn't ready!
I was at the exit of turn 3 when the Risi car lost power and coasted to the left out of my view. Here came Gidley looking into the sun at it's worst. I heard the bang and saw a cloud of dust but couldn't see because of the crowd.
Michael, I watched the replay of the accident and it reminded me of Mario in Toronto. It looked as though Memo swung left attempting to pass the Krohn 458 at exactly the wrong time. Imho, the Krohn car obscured his view of the Risi, not the sun.
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When I saw it happen, it reminded me of Ignazio Giunti and JP Beltoise at Buenos Aires. Both were unsighted behind another car and pulled our right into the slow or stopped car at speed. The difference is that MG's car is enclosed and a good bit stronger that IG's and there was no huge fire. He is very lucky to still be with us.
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Found this series of photos, like there was no frontal protection. I would have thought that a NASCAR owned series would require a front crash zone. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Wow, crazy photos. Shows how big the impact was. Memo recovering in style Image Unavailable, Please Login
Very 917ish. During the broadcast on Speed, you could hear one of the announcers openly display their fears for Memo's well being after they showed a two second clip of the frontal impact on the Gainsco car. Horrendous.
Well it is a tube frame car...but I am surprised there isn't more front crash protection. It actually reminds me a bit of Stefan Bellof's crash at Spa in the 956/962. We all know how that ended By comparison the 458 held up very well.
Oh don't remind me, I have seen the video a couple of times then it has disappeared. I always wonder how he would have fared in F1 had he lived...
you can still find the video on YouTube, if you dare. it's a nasty crash. people forget that in the rain-soaked 1984 Monaco GP that was heralded as Senna's "coming out party" that Bellof finished 3rd in an equally crappy Tyrell before a DQ for being under weight. I think Bellof would have given Senna, Prost, Hill, Hakkinen, Schumi, etc a serious run for their money.
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Buenos Aires 1000k, '71...Beltoise was pushing his car back to the pits across the racing line on a hot track... Giunti, in a 312PB pulled out to pass Parkes' 512M(situation similar to Memo) and plowed into the rear of Beltoise's Matra 660... Beltoise just missed being cut off at the knees and Giunti was killed in the firey accident... T ACIDENTE FATAL DE IGNACIO GIUNTI - YouTube
