Motor racing has always involved risk for the drivers, and sometimes for spectators too, as was seen to horrific effect in the disaster that occurred at the 1955 Le Mans 24 Hours. Any safety equipment or facilities, at that time, were the responsibility of the circuit owners—circuit improvements, and spectator safety remained a low priority as recently as the 1980s. Safety consisted of keeping the cars racing on the black stuff, and in the 1950s the spectators had to be…

Racing’s first fire/safety quick-response vehicle, this Porsche 914/6 GT, appeared in 1973.
Photo: Porsche Werk
Roy Smith
2016All Access PaywallJanuary '16RegionUK/EuropeVintage Racecar ArchivesVintage Racecar ArticlesVintage Racecar FeatureVintage Racecar Features
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