1966: Hill Saves Stewart in Big Race
12 Jun 2012
Sir Jackie Stewart had a
close encounter in the Belgium Grand Prix on June 12th
1966. During
the race at Spa, JYS, a rainstorm caused seven of the drivers to crash on the
first lap. Stewart was trapped in his car, soaked in petrol with severe
injuries. Fortunately, fellow racer Graham Hill stopped to help him and Stewart
escaped before the car caught fire.
'At the Belgium Grand Prix,
1966, conditions were bad. There was a river across the track, maybe two metres
wide, and I aquaplaned. I spun all the way down and off the road, knocked down
a woodcutter's hut, knocked down a telegraph pole and went through a fence
before dropping down onto the outside basement of a farmhouse, miraculously the
right way up.'
- Jackie Stewart
This is just one example of
how dangerous Formula One was in the '60s and '70s. This accident, and the
death of his friends, would prompt Stewart to campaign for improved safety in
racing driving.
This page is taken from
Jackie Stewart's COLLAGE.
'Note the "Get
Well" card. Damon was still a wee boy while I was racing with his
father.'- Jackie Stewart
