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AUTO RACING LE MANS CRASH

Drivers run to their cars for the start of the Le Mans 24 hour race in Le Mans, France on June 11, 1955. Sixty started, but only 21 finished, with Britain's Mike Hawthorn the winner in a Jaguar. Two hours after the start, 77 were killed and another 77 injured when Pierre Le Vegh's Mercedes somersaulted into the crowd. He was among the dead. (AP Photo/Jacques Marqueton)

JAGUAR

Debarquement d'une des 4 voitures Jaguar participant a la course des 24 heures du Mans, arrivees par avion de transport Bristol de Deauville au Mans le 8 juin 1955, annee de la catastrophe des 24 heures du Mans Neg:A8754 --- Arriving of one of the 4 Jaguar cars at the race "24 heures du Mans" june 8, 1955 (KEYSTONE/RUE DES ARCHIVES/AGIP)

MOTORSPORT 24 STUNDEN LE MANS 1955

Britain's Mike Hawthorn driving his Jaguar car, drives past the stands, followed by Juan Fangio of Argentina, during the Le Mans 24-hour race on June 11, 1955. Hawthorn and his co-driver Ivor Bueb won the race. The race was marred by a triple car crash which sent the Mercedes car of Frenchman Pierre Levegh crashing into the crowd of spectators, killing 80 of them. (KEYSTONE/AP Photo/Str)

LE MANS HAWTHORN WINS

Mike Hawthorn and his co-driver Ivor Bueb, in a three-litre Jaguar, won the 24-hour Le Mans Race, June 12, 1955, covering 4,175.38 kilometers at an average speed of 107.69 mph, a new course record. Only 21 cars finished of the 60 that started. Of these, 13 were British and five German. (AP Photo)

FRANCE LE MANS ACCIDENT

A German Mercedes car somersaulted through the rails after a triple crash in the Le Mans 24-hour race, on June 11, 1955, exploding and killing its driver , Pierre Levegh, and over 80 of the packed crowd of spectators. (AP Photo)

FRANCE LE MANS ACCIDENT

Spectators flee the searing flames of a smashed Mercedes racing car after an accident at Le Mans, France, endurance race which killed more than 80 persons, June 11, 1955. Behind these fleeing spectators is the scene where many were killed when hit by flying pieces of the racer which exploded after crashing into a retaining wall. In the background are the pit stalls for the racers. This is another in the series made by US soldier Jimmy Prickett of Electra, Texas. (AP Photo/Jimmy Prickett)

AUTO RACING LE MANS CRASH

Auto racing fans run from burning car in background after it crashed during 24-hour endurance race at Le Mans, France on June 11, 1955. Over 70 persons were killed by flying pieces of racer driven by Pierre Levegh when it exploded. Spectators can be seen standing on roof, background, of racers' pit stalls. This image is another in the series made by U.S. soldier Jimmy Prickett, of Electra, Texas. (AP Photo/Jimmy Prickett)

FRANCE LE MANS ACCIDENT

Spectators flee the searing flames of a smashed Mercedes racing car after an accident at Le Mans, France, endurance race which killed more than 80 persons, June 11, 1955. Behind these fleeing spectators is the scene where many were killed when hit by flying pieces of the racer which exploded after crashing into a retaining wall. In the background are the pit stalls for the racers. (AP Photo)

AUTO RACING LE MANS CRASH

A car roars by the burning wreck of M.G. 42, driving by British R. Jacobs, which overturned in the deadly Maison Blanche bend in Le Mans, France on June 11, 1955, during the 24-hour endurance race. Jacobs, who was badly injured, was taken to the Le Mans hospital for treatment. (AP Photo)

FRANCE LE MANS ACCIDENT

French police use a banner torn from the barrier in the background to beat out the flames on the body which observers said they believed was the body of French driver Pierre Levegh. The Mercedes, driven by Levegh, burns fiercely in background, June 11, 1955, after colliding with another racer in front of the main grandstand. More than 80 spectators were reported killed when the racer exploded. The race was won by a jaguar, driven by Mike Hawthorn and Ivor Bueb of Britain. (AP Photo)

AUTO RACING LE MANS CRASH

The smoking wreckage of the silver German Mercedes racing car that crashed into crowd at Le Mans, France on June 11, 1955, is examined by policeman as it rests along retaining wall. Driven by French driver Pierre Levegh, it collided with another car in a 24-hour endurance race, burst into flames, smashed over the retaining wall and into the crowd. Levegh and more than 80 persons were killed in one of the worst accidents in racing history. (AP Photo)

MOTORSPORT LE MANS 1955

Die Rennstrecke von Le Mans wird am 11.6.1955 - zweieinhalb Stunden nach Rennbeginn - zum Schauplatz des schwersten Ungluecks in der Geschichte des Motorsports. Der Mercedes-Rennwagen des 50 jaehrigen franzoesischen Fahrers Pierre Levegh kommt bei einem Manoever ins Schleudern, fliegt meterhoch durch die Luft, explodiert an der Boeschung der Zuschauertribuene und brennt zertruemmert voellig aus. Feuerwehrleute versuchen das Feuer des Wracks zu loeschen. Das Unglueck kostet dem Piloten und weiteren 83 Menschen das Leben, ueber 100 Verletzte werden gezaehlt. Die Mercedes-Werke ziehen noch in der Nacht ihre beiden noch im Rennen liegenden Wagen zurueck. Das Rennen geht indes weiter. (KEYSTONE/AFP/STR)

FRANKREICH AUTORENNEN LE MANS 1955 UNGLUECK

Die Rennstrecke von Le Mans wird am 11.6.1955 - zweieinhalb Stunden nach Rennbeginn - zum Schauplatz des schwersten Ungluecks in der Geschichte des Motorsports. Der Mercedes-Rennwagen des 50 jaehrigen franzoesischen Fahrers Pierre Levegh kommt bei einem Manoever ins Schleudern, fliegt meterhoch durch die Luft, explodiert an der Boeschung der Zuschauertribuene und brennt zertruemmert voellig aus. Feuerwehrleute versuchen das Feuer des Wracks zu loeschen. Das Unglueck kostet dem Piloten und weiteren 83 Menschen das Leben, ueber 100 Verletzte werden gezaehlt. Die Mercedes-Werke ziehen noch in der Nacht ihre beiden noch im Rennen liegenden Wagen zurueck. Das Rennen geht indes weiter. (KEYSTONE/AFP/STR)

MOTORSPORT LE MANS 1955

Augenzeugen und Helfer an der mit Toten, Verletzten und Truemmern uebersaeten Unglueckstaette der Rennstrecke von Le Mans, aufgenommen am 11. Juni 1955. Beim 24-Stunden-Rennen in Le Mans war 1955 der Mercedes des Franzosen Pierre Levegh ins Schleudern geraten und an der Boeschung der Zuschauertribuene explodiert. Ueber 80 Menschen fanden dabei den Tod, mehr als 100 wurden verletzt. Es handelt sich bei dem Unglueck um das bis heute groesste in der Geschichte des Automobilrennsports. (KEYSTONE/-/AFP/STR)

LE MANS ACCIDENT

This was one of the many scenes of stark tragedy at the Le Mans, France race track June 11, 1955, after a Mercedes sports car driven by Pierre Levegh collided with another racing car and then exploded showering the spectators with searing hot metal. How the body of this victim got into this position, no one knew because of the confusion. This picture was made just a few minutes after the accident by Jimmy Pricket, US soldier from Electra, Texas. (AP Photo)

FRANCE LE MANS ACCIDENT

A man holds a child in the left background while a woman bends over a lifeless body following the racing car crash and explosion during the 24 hour endurance race at Le Mans, France, June 11, 1955. Other bodies are scattered near the picket fence where the Mercedes racer crashed. An explosion followed, sending metal into the crowd of spectators. This picture was made by Jimmy Pricket, a US soldier from Electra, Texas. (AP Photo)

FRANCE LE MANS ACCIDENT

A few of the living come to the rescue among the dead and injured following the worst tragedy in racing history at Le mans, France, June 11, 1955. Visible at left is the fire from burning Mercedes racer which careened crazily down the course, crashing into an earth barrier back of the picket fence. Flying metal following the explosion killed some 80 and injured many spectators. Photo was made by Jimmy Prickett, a US soldier from Electra, Texas. (AP Photo)

CATASTROPHE DU MANS, 1955

Catastrophe des 24 heures du Mans, 12 juin 1955 : ici l'endroit ou 75 spectateurs ont trouve la mort dans le terrible accident cause par la Mercedes de Levegh ; des cadavres attendent encore d'etre evacues --- 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans : catastrophe : 75 spectators dead after accident caused by Levegh (KEYSTONE/RUE DES ARCHIVES/PVDE)

FRANKREICH AUTORENNEN LE MANS 1955 UNGLUECK

Ein Bild des Grauens mit Leichen und Truemmerteilen: Die Rennstrecke von Le Mans wird am 11.6.1955 - zweieinhalb Stunden nach Rennbeginn - zum Schauplatz des schwersten Ungluecks in der Geschichte des Motorsports. Der Mercedes-Rennwagen des 50 jaehrigen franzoesischen Fahrers Pierre Levegh kommt bei einem Manoever ins Schleudern, fliegt meterhoch durch die Luft, explodiert an der Boeschung der Zuschauertribuene und brennt zertruemmert voellig aus. Das Unglueck kostet dem Piloten und weiteren 83 Menschen das Leben, ueber 100 Verletzte werden gezaehlt. Die Mercedes-Werke ziehen noch in der Nacht ihre beiden noch im Rennen liegenden Wagen zurueck. Das Rennen geht indes weiter. (KEYSTONE/AFP/STR)

AUTO RACING LE MANS CRASH

**Eds Note: Graphic Content** With arms outstretched in a helpless gesture, this Frenchman is surrounded by the victims of the racing car accident during the 24-hour endurance race at Le Mans, France on June 11, 1955, and appears to be calling to the priest, at left. Two racing cars collided in front of the grandstand and one car smashed into a retaining wall alongside a fence, showering spectators with hot metal and wreckage. The death toll caused from this accident, the most disastrous in racing's history, totaled more than 80 dead. (AP Photo)

FRANCE LE MANS ACCIDENT

Confusion reigns in the stands, littered with bodies, after the Le Mans 24-hour race disaster, on June 11, 1955. Frenchmen Pierre Levegh's Mercedes car crashed into the crowd, killing the driver and about 80 spectators and injuring another 100. (AP Photo)

FRANKREICH AUTORENNEN LE MANS 1955 UNGLUECK

Opfer der Katastrophe liegen in Reihen vor der zerstoerten Tribuene. Der franzoesische Rennfahrer Pierre Levegh kam am 11. Juni 1955 gegen 18:30 Uhr mit seinem Wagen ins Schleudern, flog meterhoch durch die Luft und explodierte an der Boeschung der Zuschauertribuene. 83 Menschen kamen bei dem Unglueck ums Leben, ueber 100 wurden verletzt. (KEYSTONE/AFP/STR)

FRANCE LE MANS ACCIDENT

Confusion reigns in the stands, littered with bodies, after the Le Mans 24-hour race disaster, on June 11, 1955. Frenchmen Pierre Levegh's Mercedes car crashed into the crowd, killing the driver and about 80 spectators and injuring another 100. (AP Photo)

AUTO RACING LE MANS CRASH

Injured man is helped away from scene by policeman and a woman after tragic crash of racing car into crowd of spectators at Le Mans, France on June 11, 1955. The car, a German Mercedes driven by Frenchman Pierre Levegh, collided with another car in a 24-hour endurance race, burst into flames, leaped retaining wall into crowd. Levegh and more than 80 of crowd were killed. (AP Photo)

FRANCE LE MANS ACCIDENT

The Austin Healey, #26, into which French driver Pierre Levegh crashed lies in a mangled heap on the side of the track at Le Mans, June 11, 1955. Levegh's Mercedes 20 struck the Healy from behind and exploded in an enormous fireball, killing him and over 84 spectators. (AP Photo)

UNFALL BEIM 24–STUNDEN-RENNEN / FOTO

Verkehr:.Autorennen...Unfall beim 24–Stunden-Rennen von Le Mans 1955 (84 Tote): die Unfallstelle mit dem ausgebrannten Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR des Franzosen Pierre Levegh...Foto, 11.06.1955. (KEYSTONE/akg-images/akg-images)

UNFALL BEIM 24–STUNDEN-RENNEN / FOTO

Verkehr:.Autorennen...Unfall beim 24–Stunden-Rennen von Le Mans 1955 (84 Tote): die Unfallstelle mit dem ausgebrannten Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR des Franzosen Pierre Levegh...Foto, 11.06.1955. (KEYSTONE/akg-images/akg-images)

MOTORSPORT 24 STUNDEN LE MANS 1955

British driver Mike Hawthorn reaches from the cockpit of his Jaguar D-Type to get a kiss from a local woman after winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans, June 12, 1955. At right is his co-driver, Ivor Bueb, also of Great Britain. The race was overshadowed by the deaths of at least 80 spectators and driver Pierre Levegh, when his Mercedes-Benz crashed into the crowd. (KEYSTONE/AP Photo/Str)

FRANCE LE MANS MIKE HAWTHORN

Englishmen Mike Hawthorn, left with blond hair, and his co-driver Ivor Bueb, stand beside their Jaguar car after winning the Le Mans 24-hour race on June 12, 1955. The race was marred by a triple car crash which sent the Mercedes car of Frenchman Pierre Levegh crashing into the crowd of spectators, killing 80 of them. (AP Photo)

FRANCE LE MANS MIKE HAWTHORN

Englishmen Mike Hawthorn, centre with blond hair, and his co-driver Ivor Bueb, next to him, stand beside their Jaguar car after winning the Le Mans 24-hour race on June 12, 1955. The race was marred by a triple car crash which sent the Mercedes car of Frenchman Pierre Levegh crashing into the crowd of spectators, killing 80 of them. (AP Photo)

OBSEQUES DE PIERRE LEVEGH

Obseques, le 16 juin 1955, en l'eglise St Honore d'Eylau a Paris, du pilote Pierre Levegh tue au cours de la catastrophe des 24 heures du Mans. g-d : Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss, John Fitch, deux maitres de ceremonie, Simon (au fond), Rosier, Philippe Etancelin (devant) Neg:A9156 --- Funerals, on june 16, 1955, in Paris, of racing driver Pierre Levegh killed during race "24 h du Mans". l-r : Fangio, S Moss, Fitch, deux maitres de ceremonie, Simon, Rosier, Etancelin (KEYSTONE/RUE DES ARCHIVES/AGIP)

MOTORSPORT LE MANS 1955

Catastrophe des 24 heures du Mans : gerbes de fleurs deposees a l'endroit ou l'accident s'est produit , ici gerbes de l'Automobile Club de l'Ouest de Cunningham, de Mercedes 15 juin 1955 (KEYSTONE/RUE DES ARCHIVES/AGIP)

FRANKREICH AUTORENNEN LE MANS 1955 UNGLUECK

On june 16, 1955 : funerals of victims of the disaster of the race "24h du Mans" : the families of the victims. (KEYSTONE/RUE DES ARCHIVES/AGIP) === , ===

MOTORSPORT LE MANS 1955

Undatiertes Portrait des franzoesischen Rennfahrers Pierre Levegh, der beim 24-Stunden-Rennen von Le Mans im Jahr 1955 toedlich verunglueckte und ueber 80 Zuschauer mit in den Tod riss. Kontrovers wird diskutiert ob Levegh - an Stelle des britischen Rennsiegers Mike Hawthorn - zu Unrecht als Suendenbock der goessten Katastrophe des Rennsports herhalten musste. (KEYSTONE/PHOTOPRESS-ARCHIV/AP/Str)