1969 LeMans Fatal crash

[jdoggybizzle]

Ahhh Speedvision, before it became the Nascar Channel.



[Diodorus79]

@jdoggybizzle Unfortunately! snif< T-T. remember "legend of motorsport" program?? been looking for it but no avail.

[altfactor]

I had thought the "Le Mans Start" had been abolished because of fears that drivers who were a little too slot sprinting to their cars could get run over to drivers who sprinted faster, started their cars, and were on their way.

[toma23rulz]

@altfactor yes that was one reason, but the main reason was because driver weren't fastening their setbelts properly and closing their doors properly

[willmeyerson]

Im so sick of this safety bs. Thats why racing is so badass!!! Becuase its dangerous! If you dont wabna risk it then you shouldnt try it. If a great driver dies, yes its a tragedy but im sure they would rather die behind the wheel doin whart they love than wither up in a hospital bes

[Cancrizans]

Concerning safety in today's autosports...I am very happy that things have become safer for drivers...I am not thrilled with the way it has been implemented and what it has taken from sport. With the insane money the sanctioning organizations and teams make, there are many way safety can be implemented without castrating the tracks and automating the cars to ridiculous levels. For example...turning almost every F1 track into a go kart style short course escapade has made a mockery of F1 for me.

[RTiCreation]

@Cancrizans I completely agree. Every "old version" of pretty much every track that has an old version are ones I prefer. And I think 80% of those can remain safe in updated form of the old ones.

[thevmanvj]

Shorter courses makes F1 much safer because of emergency vehicle response time is greatly reduced. This is why F1 doesn't use long circuits like Nurburgring any more. Nurburgring 13+ miles long with over 100 turns, and some parts of the circuit were not easily accessable emergency response teams in the event of an accident.

[Cancrizans]

@thevmanvj Yes, that is what the sanctioning bodies emphasize. However, if you had read my comment, you would notice that what I am questioning is WHY it is impossible for sanctioning bodies like the FIA to simply SPEND MORE MONEY and place MORE safety teams at MORE locations around the track. Given the insane profits they are making, providing safety at a longer track that is equal to that at any short track would be financially insignificant. They just take the easy(and greedy) way out.

[thevmanvj]

@Cancrizans I don't disagree. They have to make their profit margin ...come hell or high water. But on tracks like Nurburgring where they have a lot of remote areas of the circuit and not easily accessable by safety personnel (which is why they don't use it anymore) was proven problem (even with today's advanced safety light system and driver to official radio communications).

[Cancrizans]

@thevmanvj I don't imagine the old ring would ever again be a possibility for F1 cars.I'm more annoyed by changes like the castration of Hockenheim,which I think was completely unnecessary and robbed F1 of a rather distinctive track,and moreso the overall direction track designs have been going.A LOT of distinctive tracks have been cut,many of which are not even longer than the new tracks, but have so much more spirit and corners deserving of the F1 legacy rather than being expanded kart tracks.

[Cancrizans]

Also their profit margins are, like all modern businesses, far too extreme. And, as with all modern businesses, the effect has been to rob from the endeavor the business "supports" and turn it into profit that creates not a damn thing of human value

[OBJones28]

@thevmanvj yep, after that Nicki Lauda crash, F1 said that it is going to be their last race in the 14 mile circuit. The motorcycles continued to race there and held the GP in the 14 mile circuit in 1978 and the last one in 1980. Footage of those races are on here on YouTube but it is in German. Enjoy it. Plus, the F1 drivers refused to race in the Nurburgring in 1970 because it is too dangerous.

[Cancrizans]

They say the length of tracks like the Nordschliefe and even(lol) the longer Hockenheim were dangerous bc the track length made it difficult for safety personnel to get to every area of the track. Are they really trying to say they could not spend more money to hire a larger number of safety personnel and equipment?

[jcadlols]

@Cancrizans replace couldn't with wouldn't and you'll get a better answer. Also, remember motorsport has a far far greater cash flow now days in comparison to the 1960's.

[Cancrizans]

With an adequate amount of money spent on safety, the sport could have retained much of its thrill and meaning without sacrificing safety at all...however they would rather ruin the sport and pocket more money than invest in such measures.

[Cancrizans]

Error, try again.

[latenightpilgrim]

I recall this being on TV back in '69.....pre satellite!It was first lap I think.....he had used car for his friend / co driver Digby Martlands wedding I think.....its all a long time ago....i fell in love with the 917., arguably the greatest competition car ever.Compared to todays cars....yes it was seriously ballsy to drive 'em....wish it were me in the cockpit, sharing the car with Jackie Ickx,my hero.!

[leanneDCfan]

so sad..xx but it was 1955 i think

[RExplosionStudios]

My Father knew John Woolfe as a close friend, he owns the Company they both started... however if he was still alive today, I would not be here...

[tib33fromparis]

we see nothing!!!

[d4r4h4n]

Well, a seat belt in a 917 doesn't help you in such a crash. Your feet are placed in front of the front axle. The chassis consisted out of "bicycle frame' steel tubes put under pressure to just gain that extra bit of rigidity. Also there is a massive 5l flat twelve engine behind you. Do you really think that seatbelts matter in this case?

BTW, the 1969 917 was really a bitch. No one had ever built a race car which was this fast and light and therefore it was really aerodynamicly unstable.

[sidw]

@d4r4h4n The 917 was a real widowmaker until John Horsman of the Gulf team redesigned the tail to give it some downforce.

The chassis wasn't even steel, it was aluminium. The air pressure inside it wasn't to add rigidity, it was there to indicate fatigue cracks - if the pressure gauge wasn't within nominal limits then the team knew there was a fracture somewhere letting the air out which had to be investigated. It's a safety system borrowed from aerospace applications.

[kartracer57]

The driver describing the accident is Frank Gardner, a legendary Australian touring car driver who went on to run the Holden Dealer Team and gave Peter Brock his big break.

[TheRacer120]

@kartracer57 Wasn't it Harry Firth who gave Brock his break?

[ratzinator1]

John Woolfe apparently crashed on the Maison Blanche, which if you can believe this horsheshit is the run to the pitlane. He went the whole lap without buckling his seat belt. Am I correct on that? The entire Mulsanne at 200+ miles/hr - damn, I think I am, holy smokes, that's crazy. Unbelievable. When did he plan on buckling in? In the pitlane?

[ratzinator1]

@loverboy0008

Ickx - clever, smart, and safety-first

Woolfe was the owner of that car and had two car team, he was business first I can see - unfortunately he didn't think safety-first - tragic but I'm glad ACO ended that BS - they should have known better but didn't

[rightfredsdead]

now thats what you call a 'warm up' lap.

[ratzinator1]

@rightfredsdead

you're telling me - that's not a good way to die - unfortunately for Woolfe, nobody back then were using their head with the exception of Ickx.

[Austria4ever1000]

Le Mans start is when the drivers run to get into the car and start immediately the race

[ItsYummyYumi]

in the summer of 69 lol, no 69ing for this crispy crispy lol

[ThePappy124]

what is a Le Mans start ?

[inigel]

The cars used to line up to one side of the track, the drivers on the other. When the flag dropped, the drivers would bolt across and jump in their cars and take off.

[rightfredsdead]

@ThePappy124 its like a french version of a 'reach around'

[rhjensen1]

The best (and most ironic) example of the Le Mans start providing any kind of advantage for anyone was when Jackie Ickx walked the start and took the time to carefully buckle up (to protest the Le Mans start) and still one the race.

[Skellyman99]

Originally the point of the Le Mans start was related to the fact that these were real road cars - they had to have passenger seats and a starter and had to start up like a road car - if you had a highly tuned racer and she don't start with the light starter you put in the car - you were toast. The fans liked it but that wasn't the logic behind the LeMans start.

[bworme]

I would like one time to read comments without having to read some jerk using the f_ _ _ word or other words of trash, because you obviously like to live the life of a low life doesn't mean the rest of us enjoy reading you laced profanity comments. . . get a life.

[Kw12345ff]

You're fucking right,

[GT4Videos]

lmao!!! You're hilarious

[GT4Videos]

Dude, everyone swears... It's not like you're going to save the world, because there is people that curse everywhere around the world... So drop it.

[blwells2112]

I know right? That fucking pisses me off too.

[mouloudo]

I dont get the point with the " lemans starts"

[duvels86]

A "Le Mans Start" is when the cars are lined up at one side of the track and the drivers on the other side. When the race starts, the drivers have to run to their car and get away as quick as possible.

To save some time, they usualy fastened their seatbelts while driving on one of the main straights. John Woolfe died because he hadn't fastened his seatbelt yet.

This is also the race that Jacky Ickx walked across the track in stead of running to protest against these starts.

[jbracer86]

yeah i mean as much as a start like that is cool to watch and nice for the fans, there is no point in risking your life by trying to save a few seconds and not putting on your seatbelt. Especially a race as long as le mans 24 hours of racing, you aren't going to lose the race because you spent half a minute buckling up your seat belt properly.

[OBJones28]

@duvels86 yep you're so right about that. The start that made drivers run to their cars and start without fasten their seat belt is very dangerous.

[hatrisha]

Lemans start is where driver stand about 10 feet away from their cars and from the word 'go' they'll be running to it,get into (without any assistance)start and off they go racing.From what i heard,most of them don't even buckle up their racing harness.

[vacheos159753]

shit

[heatsno]

i don't know whart the fuck is going on?

[NASCARWWEclubpenguin]

its weird is that the time the wreck was happening or it just happened?

[doommmmmmm]

where is the wreck?

[BMWizardofOz]

you can see clearly the fireball and the smoke in the video (seconds 3-18)

It´s really old footage, what do you expect? Camaras with big zooms all around the circuit?

[doommmmmmm]

thanks for letting me know but was that last part of your comment necessary?

[BMWizardofOz]

maybe not, but as a fan of racing history you can sometimes get a bit grumpy, when you are quite happy to see a rare old video like this one. And all the time people are complaining about the quality, and that they see nothing in the videos, and are often even rating videos like this badly.

[doommmmmmm]

ok i am just not used to watching old videos like this but i do love the  Ford GT-40! what is your favorite lemans racer?

[BMWizardofOz]

hard to say, there are many great ones, but I guess it´s the Porsche 956.

Winning from 82-85. And then in it´s 962C form again 86 and 87. And in it´s 962 Dauer "GT" car form in 94.

And often winning against really good competition. Not to mention all the other races it won all around the globe, for more than a decade. And the great customer support of Porsche which lead to Porsche always being the most present car in endurance races like WSC, JSPC, IMSA...

[jeanchri01]

it's mine also!

[doommmmmmm]

faster than any vette out there!

[gentlemghand]

I think the fireball was from when the fuel tank detached and exploded under another driver's Ferrari 312

[Bukin12]

I can't see anything!

[NASCARWWEclubpenguin]

i dont see his car and i dont see his crash at all but maybe it got burned?

[canonikon88]

Yeah this vid's kinda lame JUST on the fact that you cant see shit other than what looks like a car exploding and then of course the awesome GT40 pulling into the pits :). But yeah im guessing he floored the throttle out of the car lineup and crashed into someone or something(?). there must be other vids online about this crash.

[Mawerick77]

Woolfe was not an experienced Porsche driver. Because of the Le Mans start (drivers running in their cars, starting them and taking off), he did not have his seatbelts properly on. He lost control in the old White House (Maison Blanche) corner, slammed to a wall and his fueltank exploded. Poor guy didn't have a chance. Iirc the fueltank got stuck beneath Chris Amon's car and he had to retire from the race.

[operationcwal789789]

Back in the day, how race car drivers bravely stepped in to those cars still amazes me. There was no Hans device, no proper fire protection suit, no high tech composites to absorb a crash, no fancy power steering...

We shall truly worship those mavericks who placed their lives on the line, some to return victorious: some to be remembered, all to make the sport of racing safer today.

[PeterMullock]

I agree! Although maybe "worship" is a little excessive... :)

All I know is that drivers from back then were quite different from racers of today. I don't think they would drive cars of our era given they would incidentally have to wear more than a t-shirt!

[zaction]

Could not have said that better myself.. Well done.

[erwinruys]

@operationcwal789789 I think today drivers in F1 are pussies. Yes it's saver but Lewis Hamilton or Seb Vettel coudln't drive a car from those golden ages.

[BoUrnNe26]

@erwinruys Well, considering Hamilton got to drive Senna's car on Top Gear this past season....

[erwinruys]

@BoUrnNe26 Yes but did you hear the reaction afterwards? He was almost exhausted ( don't if that was for joy

) and I would like to hear a lap time! xd.

[BoUrnNe26]

@erwinruys Yeah, would have been nice to hear a lap time. lol As far as him being exhausted, it could have been as you said for joy but he also said that he didn't sleep at all the night before because he was so excited to drive his idol's car.

[Regret696]

@operationcwal789789

And most of all, no helmets!!!

[fueldragster]

@Regret696 They wore helmets.

[Regret696]

@fueldragster

there are times in motorracing where they didnt wear helmets, maybe it wasnt then but theres been a time :P

[Bitore666]

oh...

[sonicstep]

You make me feel ancient posting such poor quality film footage.. .

[blobbem]

couldnt see anything so... poo

[arnaldofernandez]

That's nothing, I don't see anything....poor.

[cronaldopwns]

Le Mans is a badass race

[NicholasBird]

This footage is from the video "La Ronde Infernale."

[ma55aracin9]

.....as brodcasted on the now-defunct SpeedVision network-currently known as SPEED-

[indigoblue555]

Wolfe was the wealthy owner of a custom 917 a really hard to drive proto even for official prof.drivers=

His team mate (??) was more experienced and asked

him to avoid the critical start and follow.laps,but..

....RIP =

[quepasa789]

i doubt woolfe's accident had any bearing on the cancelation of the traditional start procedure seeing as he crashed at the white house corner

[fcleeren]

I'm not sure, but maybe he died because he didn't have the time to fasten his seatbelts, which was caused by the LM start.

[quepasa789]

seatbelts probably wouldn't have saved woolfe. his car exploded into flames on impact, and a 917 (woolfe was driving his own car) would be doing serious speed at that point anyway.

[ballistic76]

John Woolfe was killed on the very first lap I believe, and Jacky Ickx won that race.

[NDarinzo]

What program is this from?

[batesnd]

Not a very good quality clip. I have the full race report which is much better quality and a very good race to watch. The video doesnt mention anything anywhere about Woolfe being killed.

[trancepose]

nothing can be understood. bad video quality

[GeoffEighinger]

I'm having trouble telling what's going on. WHat was a "Le Mans Start"?

[goldfacekillah]

A "le mans Start" is cars are parked across the track from the drivers. At the start of the race the drivers run to the cars start it strap themselves in if they had time and start racing. That's how Le Mans was started back in the day. Stupid by todays standards but dramatic nonetheless.

[Holland1953]

The year after, Jackie Ickx showed his protest by ambling across the track and taking his time to affix his belts. If my memory serves me well, he won the race.

[Efyra0]

He won and at the end of his career he had won Le Mans 6 times.

[Holland1953]

Jackie Ickx is quite a remarkable guy. He was exceptionally young when he commenced F1 in the 1960s. I had the good fortune to meet him at Goodwood some years ago. He had not lost any of his Gallic charm - even if he is Belgian! (lol)

[MargusKiistheCritic]

Ickx is one of my favourite guy in car race history. OK, in F1 he hadn`t luck to get the title (he had problems with Ferrari leaders) but he proved be superb driver in other series. He didn`t talk loudly about safety like Stewart or Rindt but made his long career through without any remarkable injuries.

[abanks1959]

Correction,69 was the year that "JACKY" Ickx protested the start.Being one of the last cars to join the race....he and "JACKIE" Oliver won it.

[Holland1953]

I'll have to check the actual year of the John Woolfe shunt but I'm sure it was 1969. Jacky (sorry about the misspelling) Ickx eschewed the traditional start the year after.

[abanks1959]

At the 1969 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 917s were quickest in practice and lead the race for hours, but did not make it through the night. At the end, Hans Herrmann's 908 remained as the only Porsche that could challenge for the win, but Ickx' more powerful Ford won once again, by a mere 120 meters. Sadly, John Woolfe suffered a fatal accident in his privately entered 917 in lap one.From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[MargusKiistheCritic]

The 917s had serial clutch problems.

[shazmeister2005]

are you sure that woolfes car was private? i remember watching a video about the 917 and im pretty sure they were all factory for the 1st year (69) i could be wrong though. the reason for the start being abolished was drivers werent doing up their belts in their rush to get away and this is thought to be one of the reasons woolfe died.

[freedman917]

Woolfes was a private entry (John Woolfe racing), though Porsche did lend him factory test driver Linge, when his original co driver (Martland) stood down. Woolfe was thrown from the car during the accident so seat belts may have been a factor.

[indigoblue555]

to shazmeister2005-HI!Woolfe was a gentleman driver and shared the car with Linge.If I correctly recall Woolfe was asked to let the texperienced official Porsche driver Linge astart,waiting for the pack to melt after the first fraction.

917 was a terrifingly fast car and not easy at all to handle even for the great Porsche official drivers as B.Redman,Hermann,Siffert and co.- I ignore how the fatal crash happened

but I don't think there has been any other car involved =

[Dethmeister]

1969 is the year that Ickx just walked to his car and took time to fasten his seat belts and was last off at the start. Near the end of the first lap John Woolfe crashed and died. Ickx went on to win the race, thus showing the run to the cars was meaningless.

[Holland1953]

You're correct of course. Now that I have my reference material to hand, Ickx protested the previous year about the traditional starts and did it his way the year after.

[Dethmeister]

Well I had just watched the 1969 race that someone posted.