Fans of motorsports know they’re watching drivers put themselves in a tenuous position by going very fast on closed courses, some of which have treacherous curves. It’s that sense of defying danger that earns drivers and their crews tremendous respect from fans, and even people outside the racing world. To gain even more appreciation for the risks these drivers face, read about six of the world’s most dangerous racetracks.
6. Atlanta Motor Speedway, Georgia, U.S.
In both of its incarnations, this racetrack has proved tricky for NASCAR drivers. One especially memorable crash in Atlanta involved a car that flipped over and caught fire. Remarkably, driver Steve Grissom suffered only a minor injury to one ankle. This wreck happened when the track had its original oval shape. In the inaugural season of the new D-shaped circuit, Steve Parker was in a crash that left him with a broken leg. The newly designed course made the track much faster, and by default, more dangerous.
5. Monza, Milan, Italy
Image via Flickr by curtis_ovid_poe
The year after Bristow and Stacey lost their lives in Belgium, another Formula I track saw its first fatality. In 1961, Monza offered drivers a parabolic curve in a banked area of track, which meant the course crossed over itself. It was this dangerous section that ended the life and career of Wolfgang Von Trips. He was driving a Ferrari and crashed near the entrance to the curve. This single fatality ended races for single-seat Grand Prix racers on that configuration of the racetrack.
Eventually, engineers reconfigured the track, creating a clear L-shape course that includes a mix of sweeping curves and straightaways. In its current incarnation, drivers leverage the course to reach some of the top speeds in Formula I racing.
4. Daytona International Speedway
This renowned NASCAR track draws spectators from all over the world who descend on Daytona, sleeping in campers or staying in Bluegreen Resorts nearby, all with the hope of watching skilled drivers master a dangerous track. The treacherous aspects of the 2.5-mile circuit include high banks and lengthy straightaways. This configuration allows stock car drivers to achieve very high speeds.
In 2001, beloved NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt died in a crash on the final lap of the Daytona 500. Though his may be the crash many people remember, two other drivers died at Daytona in 1994, and throughout the years, there have been dozens more.
3. Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Image via Flickr by Daniel Morrison
With 56 deaths, this NASCAR track has a grisly record of driver fatalities. Known as the tunnel turn, the first curve at Indianapolis draws in drivers who may be racing at speeds topping 200 mph. This is known as the tightest curve in NASCAR. Often, cars go into the curve side by side, which creates the set-up for nasty crashes. Another nail-biting area of this track is the stretch that comes after the fourth curve. Though this track hasn’t caused as many deaths, it’s widely regarded as being the most dangerous place to race stock cars.
2. Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
Home to the Belgian Formula I Grand Prix, this track boasts dangerous curves and straightaways. The track held its first grand prix in 1925, but it wasn’t until several decades later that the track caused fatalities.
In 1960, two deaths occurred during a race just minutes apart. The first driver who died was Chris Bristow. He was thrown from his car and ended up in a barbed wire fence, but not before being decapitated. Then a short time later, one of his competitors, Alan Stacey crashed at a high rate of speed when a bird crashed into his face.
These and other incidents at the track prompted a hiatus of Formula I races there starting in 1970 because of safety concerns. After reconfiguring and shortening the circuit, the track opened again to Formula I events in the early 1980’s.
1. The International Isle of Man Track, Mann
Image via Flickr by Jonathan Camp
This incredibly dangerous course is located in the country of Mann, which is situated on an island between Ireland and Great Britain. Each summer, the Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) draws motorbike riders from around the world to its curvy course that includes one lane roads out in the country. With speeds reaching close to 180 mph, it’s no wonder riders risk injury and death every single time there’s a race here. All told, there have been 227 fatalities on the Isle of Man racing course.
What’s the worst crash you’ve ever seen while watching a racing event, either in person or on television, and how did it change your perspective on racing?
