It went down at Le Mans in 1955. Pierre Levegh was at the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz 300SLR and was only two hours into the 24 hour marathon when Jaguar driver, Mike Hawthorn, received a signal from his pit crew to stop for gas. Hawthorn braked hard to make the pit entrance causing an Austin-Healey to swerve in avoidance. A few lengths behind, Levegh raised his hand to signal the other Mercedes driver behind him that the pace was slowing abruptly. However, he was running 150mph and had no time to brake himself.

The Merc hit the Healey and rocketed into a sort-of guard rail built to protect spectators. It then hurtled end-over-end and disintegrated into the crowd. The hood decapitated a number of spectators as it flung like a frisbee, the engine and front axle cut a path like an artillery shell, and the car’s magnesium body burned like a torch – taking many bodies with it. In the end, over 100 folks were injured and 82 (including Levegh) were killed.

The race continued on, but the other SLR in competition retired after the accident. Hawthorn went on to win in his Jag. Few cheered.

For weeks afterwards, news of a global ban on auto racing spread fast and wide. Racing leagues all over the world changed rules, made adjustments, and did what they could to avoid another such disaster. Mercedes wouldn’t race for another 30 years.

This is the crash that changed everything.