Interesting LeMans story

Post Reply
User avatar
mik
Posts: 11631
Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2018 6:15 pm

Interesting LeMans story

Post by mik »

Without knowing any of the history, I always thought the old LeMans starts looked CAF. 8-)

Hadn't heard about this one though. :?

Some footage HERE.

Jackie Ickx winning LeMans in 1969 "by 30feet".

What I hadn't realised thought is that Ickx made a safety protest before the race - feeling that the traditional "run across the track to the cars" was too unsafe. All of the drivers at that time would exit as quickly as possible - only doing up their belts when they got to the Mulsanne straight in order to save time / gain track position. When he wasn't listened to, Ickx made a point of walking across the track at the start, entering his car and carefully doing up his belts before leaving the line - in last place.

A crash on lap1 killed fellow driver John Wolfe - it was said he would have survived if appropriately belted in. :(
User avatar
Mito Man
Posts: 9732
Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2018 4:27 pm

Re: Interesting LeMans story

Post by Mito Man »

It’s mentioned every year around Le Mans as it’s the closest finish ever, due to him walking in protest!
How about not having a sig at all?
Post Reply