Le Mans '55: The Crash That Changed the Face of Motor Racing

by Christopher Hilton

The worst crash in motor racing history – killing more than 80 people – was produced by a ferocious and haunting combination of nationalism, raw speed, the nature of a 24-hour race, and chance. The crash drew in Mike Hawthorn, the blond playboy from Farnham, in a Jaguar, and Juan-Manuel Fangio, one of the greatest drivers of all, in a Mercedes. A crowd of 250,000 watched hypnotised as Hawthorn set out to break Fangio, the two cars going faster and faster... and faster. Another English playboy, Lance Macklin, was caught up in the crash in his Austin-Healey, along with a 50-year-old Frenchman driving under the assumed name of Pierre Levegh. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. It cost him his life, even as his car was torn to pieces that scythed into the dense crowd.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published May 6, 2005

About the author

Christopher (Chris) Hilton was a former sportswriter with the Daily Express.

Hilton had begun his career in journalism at The Journal in Newcastle, and then worked at the Express‘s offices in Manchester before moving to London in the mid-1970s when recruited by then sports editor Ken Lawrence to cover Formula 1.

Hilton was a key member of the sports desk editing staff, as well as covering ice skating for the paper during the period when Torvill and Dean were winning world and Olympic ice dance titles.

For the past two decades after leaving the Express, Hilton has freelanced, especially in F1 and writing his books, including biographies of Ayrton Senna, James Hunt and Michael Schumacher, as well as a novel. As recently as last month, his latest book, about F1 team leader Ross Brawn, was published.

Chris Hilton leaves a wife, Jean, and daughter.

Reviews

[Mitchell Hadley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans included an almost unspeakable tragedy, as Pierre Leveigh's car crashed along the main straight, disintegrating and sending the engine, hood, and other parts of the car into the crowd, killing nearly 100 spectators.

Christopher Hilton's book covers not only the accident itself, but how auto racing has always been a risky sport, and the increase in speeds over the years raised the danger of the sport. He also looks at the aftermath, assesing who or what was to blame for the accident, and the steps taken to try and minimize the possibility of a similar accident.

Hilton writes in a conversational, rather than impassive, style which helps to simplify technology that might have overwhelmed casual fans of the sport. A few typos notwithstanding, a highly recommended book on one of the most significant events in sports history.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating story about an incredible tragedy. Hilton inserts himself into the narrative too much, but otherwise, a compelling read.