The 1955 Le Mans disaster — the day racing’s fastest moment turned into history’s deadliest crash.

Описание: On June 11, 1955, during the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race in France, a horrific crash killed 81 people and injured more than 120 others.

The tragedy began when Pierre Levegh, driving a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, collided with the back of another car that had suddenly moved into his path to enter the pits. Levegh’s car launched into the air, disintegrated, and its burning debris — including the engine block and hood — flew into the packed grandstands. Levegh was killed instantly, and the crowd was devastated by flying metal and fire.

Firefighters rushed to the scene, but Levegh’s Mercedes was made of magnesium — a metal that burns intensely and reacts violently to water. When they sprayed it, the flames only grew stronger before the fire was finally controlled using sand and special extinguishers.

The crash was made worse by the racetrack’s outdated safety design — there were no crash barriers, and fans were standing only a few feet from the speeding cars.

After the incident, Mercedes withdrew from the race — and later from all motorsport for decades. Despite the catastrophe, officials controversially allowed the race to continue to avoid panic in the crowd.

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