Racetracks across the world have been deadly throughout their histories with deaths a common occurrence. Let's take a look at the six most dangerous racetracks in the world.
6. Le Mans, France
Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans, or Circuit de la Sarthe, is famous for the 24 Hours of Le Mans race which is the oldest active endurance race event in the world. The track is a mix of both permanent track and public roads which are closed off for the race. The track has been so dangerous in the past because of it's long straights, chicanes have been added to reduce top speeds on the track. It makes sense when you consider the fatigue that kicks in during the 24 hour event. In 1988 a top speed of 405 km/h (252 mph) was clocked but speeds are down to around 330 km/h (205 mph) with the safety alterations completed to the track.
Around 85% of race time is spent at full throttle so it puts immense pressure on a race car in addition to the intense concentration and fatigue for drivers. A total of 22 drivers have died during the 24 Hours of Le Mans race with the latest being Danish driver Allan Simonsen in 2013. Driving a Aston Martin Vantage GTE, his car veered off the track and slammed into crash barriers just three laps in, the force crushing part of the roof and supporting roll cage.
5. Indianapolis Motor Speedway, USA
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is located in the aptly named town of Speedway, Indiana. The track is home to the famous Indianapolis 500 race, is the third-oldest car racing track globally and is the highest capacity sports venue in the world with a seating capacity of 257,325. The setup for the Indy 500 is a banked oval circuit with top speeds in excess of 370km/h (230mph). There is also an infield road course which allows for the layout to be changed where it has hosted F1 races in the past.
Since it's opening in 1909, a total of 73 people have been killed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway which includes drivers, spectators, and even maintenance workers who were struck by lightening. The most recent death was motorcycle rider Peter Lenz who was 13 years of age. During the MD250H race of the Red Bull Indianapolis GP, Lenz fell over during a warm-up lap and was accidentally run over by another rider. Races at the track can be so loud - up to 140 decibels and the equivalent of an Aircraft carrier deck - that doctors have warned against the dangers of hearing loss with constant exposure to noise levels at the speedway.
4. Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Italy
Known as the Monza Circuit, the historic 5.793 km (3.600 mi) track sits north of Milan and is the oldest race track on mainland Europe. There are three different layouts for the track - the Grand Prix, junior and high speed oval tracks. Monza is notable for being the fastest track in F1 with long straights and tight chicanes putting a strain on cars with engine failure a common occurrence. Cars are at full throttle for around 80% of the race. The g-force experienced from speeds of up to 362.0 km/h (224.9 mph) to braking are 4.50 which is about the equivalent of the world's most extreme roller coasters.
A total of 87 people have lost their lives at Monza, including 35 spectators. Modifications to the track has occurred over time as the track is notoriously fast but there is a lack of run-off areas that helps to act as a buffer for cars that go off the track. The most recent fatality at the venue was fire marshal Paolo Gislimberti who was killed at the 2000 Italian Grand Prix when a right-rear wheel came loose from Heinz-Harald Frentzen's Jordan EJ10, hitting Gislimberti at full force.
...I'll be back tomorrow with the final three tracks!
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Wolfgang Sport started in 2017 as a way to connect my passion for American and British sports. Today it's evolved into a blockchain sports blog pushing the boundaries into the crypto world and embracing Web3 technologies.