Scheckter’s spin causes massive pile up at British Grand Prix 1973

Submitted by Rich Fowler on June 8, 20103 Comments

Jody Scheckter spins during the first lap of the British Grand Prix and the ensuing eleven car pile-up goes down in history as one of Formula Ones biggest crashes.

Brabham driver Andrea de Adamich from Italy, sustained the most serious injuries, which ended his Formula One career on the spot.

Jackie Stewart led the pack onto the main straight at the end of lap one only to find the circuit blocked. The race was finally red flagged and restarted after the clean up.

BRM pilot Niki Lauda got away well at the restart, but it was American ace Peter Revson driving a McLaren-Ford who took the chequered flag and earned first F1 victory.

http://www.motorracingphotographs.com John Rettie

I was a photographer at that race. I was at the end of the pits on the right and was nearly run over by Jackie Oliver’s car as he careened across the grass…
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Chris Kleckner

Drivers were more gutsy back then. This is just before the time when tracks first started putting in chicanes and other safety features.
There was more crowd appeal back then, IMO.