History Channel "Man Moment Machine" episode about Enzo Ferrari
 

Anybody catch this show the other night? Not bad. Parts of this clip were in it:

http://www.history.com/videos/man-moment-machine-ferrari-gto

I'd heard about the deadly crash at Le Mans years ago (80 some killed) but they had footage of it in the show - talking about some of the tragedies that befell Ferrari and the sport.

But that was a brief part. They had a lot of background on Ferrari's efforts to establish his own company and go Alfa Romeo one better.

Hosted by Hunter Ellis, the former Navy pilot who more or less got his start in show biz after appearing on Survivor.

The crash at LeMans which killed (they now say over 100) was a Mercedes in 1955. No Ferraris were involved in that to my knowledge. About the same year one of his cars crashed in the Mille Miglia and killed the driver, codriver and I think 5 spectators though. The Italian press and government gave him a lot of grief about that one. The driver was the popular Fon Portago.

The Italians are the most passonate car lovers in the world but their legal system is very tough about motor racing deaths. There was legal action which dragged on for years when Senna was killed at Monza(?) not postitive but it was in Italy.

The steering failed on his Williams.

I recorded that, have yet to watch it

Quite graphic, watch the video at your own risk:
http://www.stayclassyatlanta.com/forum/index.php?topic=29.0

I've also heard automakers refrianed from using magnesium due to this accedent or another at LeMans. The fire crews couldn't put out the fires, and their water hoses just made it a lot worse.
Sennas was tragic as he was one of the top drivers, at the time. He undercut Mansell on asking price to drive to get that ride.
Tom