FACTOID # 169: Train spotters should go to Australia - Australians have more railway per capita than anyone else on the globe.
 
 Home   Encyclopedia   Statistics   Countries A-Z   Flags   Maps   Education   Forum   FAQ   About 
 
WHAT'S NEW
RECENT ARTICLES
More Recent Articles »
 

FACTS & STATISTICS    Simple view

  1. Select countries to view: (hold down Control key and click to select several)

     

     

    Compare:

     

     

  1. Select fact or statistic: (* = graphable)

     

     

     

  2. (OPTIONAL) Compare to statistic: (both need to be graphable)

     

     

     

  3. View result as:

     

       
(OR) SEARCH ALL encyclopedia, stats & forums:   

Encyclopedia > Pierre Levegh

Pierre Levegh (December 22, 1905 - June 11, 1955) was a French sportsman, mainly remembered for a disaster that killed him and around 80 spectators during the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1955.


Born Pierre Bouillon in Paris, he took the racing name Levegh in memory of his uncle, a pioneering driver. Levegh was also a world-class ice hockey and tennis player. In motorsport he competed in Formula 1 for the Lago-Talbot team in 1950 and 1951, starting six races, retiring in three, and scoring no points.


At Le Mans he raced for Talbot in four races, finishing fourth in 1951. In 1952, driving single-handedly, his car suffered an engine failure in the last hour of the race with a four lap lead. This failure was probably caused by a missed gear change due to driver fatigue. In 1953 he came in eighth and in 1954 he was involved in an accident in the seventh hour of racing.


In 1955 he was tempted away from Talbot and joined the American John Fitch in racing a Mercedes 300 SLR. In the third hour of racing while on the Tribunes Straight he clipped an Austin-Healey that was forced to make an evasive move after Mike Hawthorn dived into the pits. After hitting an earth bank, the car flew through the air, disintegrating, scattering components into the crowd. Levegh was killed, as were 86 spectators, while over 100 were injured. The race was continued in order to prevent the spectators from leaving which would have blocked all access roads, and the ambulances.


While Mercedes withdrew from the race as a sign of respect to the victims (and later from motor racing in general for the next 30 years), Mike Hawthorn continued to win the race. The accident was a major contributor to changing attitudes about the acceptance of danger in motor racing, and an increase in the desire to make courses safer for spectators and drivers alike. The small British firm of Bristol Cars, whose entrants achieved a 1-2-3 finish in the 2-litre class at Le Mans that year, decided to abandon racing altogether as a result of the tragedy, scrapping all but one of their racing cars.


  Results from FactBites:
 
Pierre Levegh - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (400 words)
Pierre Levegh (December 22, 1905 – June 11, 1955) was a French sportsman, mainly remembered for a disaster that killed him and around 80 spectators during the Le Mans 24 hours automobile race in 1955.
Born Pierre Bouillon in Paris, he took the racing name Levegh in memory of his uncle, a pioneering driver who died in 1904.
Levegh was also a world-class ice hockey and tennis player.
Pierre Levegh - definition of Pierre Levegh in Encyclopedia (403 words)
Pierre Levegh - definition of Pierre Levegh in Encyclopedia
Pierre Levegh (December 22, 1905 - June 11, 1955) was a French sportsman, mainly remembered for a disaster that killed himself and around 80 spectators during the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1955.
Born Pierre Bouillon in Paris, he took the racing name Levegh in memory of his uncle, a pioneering driver.
  More results at FactBites »


 

COMMENTARY     


Share your thoughts, questions and commentary here
Your name
Your comments
Please enter the 5-letter protection code

Want to know more?
Search encyclopedia, statistics and forums:

 


Lesson Plans | Student Area | Student FAQ | Reviews | Press Releases |  Feeds | Contact
The Wikipedia article included on this page is licensed under the GFDL.
Images may be subject to relevant owners' copyright.
All other elements are (c) copyright NationMaster.com 2003-5. All Rights Reserved.
Usage implies agreement with terms.