- Driver deaths in motorsport
-
This article is about car driver deaths. For motorcycle racing deaths, see Rider deaths in motorcycle racing.
Due to the inherently dangerous nature of auto racing, many individuals, including drivers, crew members, officials and spectators, have been killed in crashes related to the sport, in races, in qualifying, in practice or in private testing sessions. Deaths among racers and spectators were numerous in the early years of racing. However advances in safety technology, and specifications designed by sanctioning bodies to limit speeds, have reduced deaths in recent years. Spectacular accidents have often spurred increased safety measures and even rules changes. The worst motorsports accident was Pierre Levegh's 1955 crash at Le Mans that killed him and around 80 spectators with over 100 being injured.
This is a list alphabetically sorted, and structured after the kind of competition, of the more notable drivers, excluding motorcycle riders. In addition, several famous racing drivers have been killed in public road crashes; see List of people who died in road accidents.
The five tracks with the most competitor fatalities 1 Indianapolis Motor Speedway 56 2 Nürburgring 48 3 Monza 30 4 Daytona International Speedway 24 5 Le Mans 24 Contents: Top - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Open wheel types - Champ Car - Formula One - Formula 2 -Formula 3000 - Indy Racing League - Stock car types
- Rally - Drag - Endurance - Grand Touring and sportscar racing - Hillclimbing - British National Series - Sprint carsA
Name Date of accident Discipline Car Championship Circuit Event Session Cause Source Hector Abate Daga (BRA) 1958 Mecánica Nacional Fuerza Libre Elio de Angelis (ITA) May 14, 1986 Open Wheel Brabham BT55 1986 Formula One Season Circuit Paul Ricard Testing Mechanical failure Grant Adcox (USA) 1989 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Atlanta Motor Speedway race Francis Affleck (CAN) 1985 ARCA Daytona practice Bob Akin (USA) 2002 historical sportscar Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo Road Atlanta race Marcel Albers (NED) 1992 British Formula Three Championship Thruxton race Michele Alboreto (ITA) 2001 Sports car Audi R8 EuroSpeedway Lausitz testing Tire deflation Blaise Alexander (USA) 2001 ARCA Lowe's Motor Speedway Race George Amick (USA) 1959 Daytona International Speedway race Bob Anderson (GBR) 1967 Brabham BT11 Formula One Silverstone testing Ove Andersson (SWE) 2008 Classic rally Alberto Ascari (ITA) 1955 Sports car Autodromo Nazionale Monza testing Antonio Ascari (ITA) 1925 French Grand Prix Autodrome de Montlhéry Manny Ayulo (USA) 1955 1955 Indianapolis 500 Practice B
- Baker, Scott (1957–2000) ARCA race, Toledo
- Baldwin, Rick (1955–1997), NWC Qualifying, Michigan. Baldwin crashed in 1986 and died after 11 years in a coma.
- Baldwin, Tom (1947–2004), NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race, Thompson, CT.
- Ball, Bobby (1925–1953), Midget race, Gardena
- Bandini, Lorenzo (1935–1967), Monaco GP
- Bard, Ryan (1984–2007), IMCA Sportmod, Abilene Speedway
- Barr, Emmett (1949–1996), Drag Race, Quaker City Raceway
- Barringer, George (1906–1946), Champ Car race, Atlanta
- Bastuck, Jörg (1969–2006), Rally Catalunya, Costa Daurada
- Batson, Gary (1951–1992), Sportsman race, Charlotte
- Bauer, Erwin (1912–1958), Sports car race, Nürburgring
- de Beaufort, Carel Godin (1934–1964), German GP practice, Nürburgring
- Beauman, Don (1928–1955), Leinster Trophy race, Wicklow
- Behra, Jean (1921–1959), Sports car race, AVUS, Berlin
- Bellof, Stefan (1957–1985), 1000km Spa Sports car Race, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
- Berger, Georges (1918–1967), Marathon de la Route, 84h Endurance race, Nürburgring
- Bettega, Attilio (1953–1985), Tour de Corse rallye, Corsica
- Bettenhausen, Tony (1916–1961), Practice for 45th Indianapolis 500
- Bianchi, Lucien (1934–1969), testing session for 24 hours of Le Mans
- Bible, Lee (1886–1929), Triplex Special record attempt, Daytona Beach
- Birrell, Gerry (1944–1973) practice European Formula 2 race, Rouen
- Blanchard, Harry (1931–1960), 1000 km Sportscar race, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Blewett, John III (1973–2007), NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race, Thompson International Speedway
- Bonetto, Felice (1905–1953), Carrera Panamericana
- Bonnett, Neil (1946–1994), NWC practice, Daytona
- Bonnier, Joakim (1930–1972), Le Mans 24h
- Booher, Joe (1941–1993), Florida 200 Dash, Daytona
- Bordino, Pietro (1887–1928), Targa Florio practice, Sicily
- Borzacchini, Baconin (1898–1933), Italian Grand Prix, Monza
- Bouriat, Guy (1902–1933), Picardy Grand Prix, Péronne
- Boyer, Joe (1890–1924), Champ Car race, Altoona
- Bradway Jr., Dave (??-1987), winged sprint car, Skagit Speedway, Alger, Washington
- Branson, Don (1920–1966), Sprint Car race, Gardena
- Brayton, Scott (1959–1996), Indy 500 practice
- Brázdil, Josef (1899–1934), Masaryk Grand Prix practice
- Brilli-Peri, Gastone (1893–1930), Tripoli Grand Prix practice
- Bristow, Chris (1937–1960), Belgian GP, Spa
- Brock, Peter (1945–2006), Targa West '06 Rally, Western Australia
- Brooks, Dennis (1965–2001), Auto City '01 Clio, Michigan
- Bruce-Brown, David (1890–1912), United States Grand Prix practice, Milwaukee
- Bryan, Jimmy (1927–1960), Champ Car race, Langhorne Speedway
- Bublewicz, Marian (1950–1993), 93` Winter Rally Lower Silesian
- Bueb, Ivor (1923–1959), Formula 2 race, Charade Circuit, Clermont-Ferrand
- Bürger, Hans-Georg (1952–1980), Warm-up European Formula 2 race Zandvoort
- Burgmann, Mike (1947–1986), Bathurst 1000, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia
- Burman, Bob (1884–1916), Corona Grand Prize
C
- Cabianca, Giulio (1923–1961), Modena Autodrome
- Caffaratti, Attilio (1878–1900), Brescia-Cremona-Mantova-Verona-Brescia race (first fatality)[1]
- Campari, Giuseppe (1892–1933), Italian GP, Monza
- Campos, Marco (1976–1995), Formula 3000 race, Magny Cours
- Castellotti, Eugenio (1930–1957), private Ferrari Formula 1 testing, Modena Autodrome
- Cevert, François (1944–1973), US GP qualifying, Watkins Glen
- Chevrolet, Gaston (1892–1920), Champ Car race, Beverly Hills
- Chimeri, Ettore (1924–1968), Sports car race, Cuba
- Cissac, Henri (1877–1908) French GP, Dieppe (first Grand Prix fatality)
- Clark, Jim (1936–1968), Deutschland-Trophäe Formula 2 race, Hockenheimring
- Clinton, Jeff (1963–2002), Grand-Am practice, Homestead
- Coaker, Graham (1933–1971), Formula Libre race, Silverstone[2]
- Coleman, Chad (?-1998), ARCA, involved in a four car accident at Atlanta Motor Speedway
- Collins, Peter (1931–1958), German GP, Nürburgring
- Colton, Mark (1961–1995), British hillclimb, Craigantlet
- Cookman, Corky (1943–1987) NASCAR modifieds, accident at Thompson International Speedway in Thompson, Connecticut, USA
- Cooper, Ashley (1980–2008) Fujitsu V8 Supercars support race for the Adelaide 500, Adelaide Street Circuit
- Courage, Piers (1942–1970), Dutch GP, Zandvoort
- Crespi, Nino (1899–1934), Rio de Janeiro Grand Prix, Gávea
- Cresto, Sergio (1956–1986), Tour de Corse, Corsica
- Czaikowski, Count (-1933), Italian GP, Monza
D
Name Date of accident Discipline Car Championship Circuit Event Session Cause Source Paul Dana (USA) March 26, 2006 Open wheel Dallara/Honda 2006 IndyCar Series season Homestead-Miami Speedway Toyota Indy 300 Practice Jimmy Davies (USA) June 11, 1966 Midget Santa Fe Speedway Race Lex Davison (AUS) February 20, 1965 Open Wheel Brabham/Climax 1965 Tasman Series Sandown Raceway International 100 Practice Heart attack Patrick Depailler (FRA) August 1, 1980 Open Wheel Alfa Romeo 179 1980 Formula One season Hockenheimring German Grand Prix Testing Mark Donohue (USA) August 19, 1975 Open Wheel March 751 1975 Formula One season Österreichring Austrian Grand Prix Practice Ronnie Duman (USA) June 9, 1968 Open Wheel 1968 USAC Champ Car season Milwaukee Mile Rex Mays 150 Race Clive Dunfee (GBR) September 24, 1932 Endurance Bentley Speed Six Brooklands BRDC 500 Miles Race E
Name Date of accident Discipline Car Championship Circuit Event Session Cause Source Dale Earnhardt (USA) February 18, 2001 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Daytona International Speedway 2001 Daytona 500 Race [nb 1] Sonny Easley (USA) January 15, 1978 Ed Elisian (USA) August 30, 1959 Milwaukee Mile Sébastien Enjolras (FRA) May 3, 1997 Sportscar non-championship Le Mans 1997 24 Hours of Le Mans Pre-race test Richie Evans (USA) October 24, 1985 Martinsville Speedway F
Name Date of accident Discipline Car Championship Circuit Event Session Cause Source Luigi Fagioli (Italy) June 1958 Sportscar non-championship 1952 Monaco Grand Prix Practice Walt Faulkner (USA) April 22, 1956 USAC Stock Car Qualifier Billy Foster (Canada) January 20, 1967 Championship car USAC Championship Car Riverside International Raceway Practice Rodger Freeth (NZ) September 1993 Rally car Subaru Legacy World Rally Championship Rally Australia Race Joe Fry (UK) July 29, 1950 1950 Blandford Hillclimb Practice Guido Falaschi (Argentina) November 13, 2011 Juan Manuel Fangio Race G
- Gaines, David (1963–1990), Lowes Motor Speedway
- Gartner, Jo (1954–1986), Le Mans 24h
- Gehrke, Chris (1966–1991), ARCA, Died three days after being involved in a violent accident at Talladega.
- Giunti, Ignazio (1941–1971), Sports car race, Buenos Aires
- Glatz, Fritz (1943–2002), Euroboss race, Autodrom Most
H
- Hagiwara, Akira (1956–1986) Japanese Touring Car Championship race, Sportsland SUGO
- Hamilton, Hugh (1905–1934) Swiss Grand Prix, Bremgarten
- Hammond, Shane (1980?-2008) New England Midget Association (NEMA) race, Thompson International Speedway
- Hansford, Gregg (1952–1995) Australian Super Touring Championship race, Phillip Island
- Hansgen, Walt (1919–1966), Testing for Le Mans 24 Hours
- Harrell, Dick "Mr. Chevrolet" (1932–1971) Fuel funny car crash, Toronto, Canada
- Hartmann, László (1901–1938) Tripoli Grand Prix, Tripoli, Libya
- Hassler, Friday (1935–1972) Daytona 500 qualifying race, Daytona International Speedway
- Hatakeyma, Kouichi (1949–1969), Fuji Speedway
- Hawkins, Paul (1937–1969), Sports car practice, Oulton Park
- Hawthorne, Bert (1944–1972), European Formula 2 practice, Hockenheimring
- Hendrick, Kara (1969–1991), USAC Western States Midget race, Cajon Speedway
- Hepburn, Ralph (1896–1948), Indy 500 practice
- Hickman, Jim (1943–1982), Champ Car practice, Milwaukee
- Horn, Ted (1910–1948), Champ Car race, DuQuoin
- Horstmeyer, William A. (1930–1964) USAC National Championship Series, Illinois State Fairgrounds[3]
- Höttinger, Markus (1956–1980) European Formula 2 race, Hockenheimring
- Hoyt, Jerry (1929–1955), Sprint Car race, Oklahoma City
I
- Irwin, Jr., Kenny (1969-2000), New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon
J
- Jacobi, Bruce, (1935–1987), NASCAR driver, injuries suffered in a 1983 wreck at the 125-mile qualifying races at Daytona International Speedway
- Jankowiak, Tony (?-1990) Modified race, Stafford Springs Motor Speedway, Stafford, CT
- Jarzombek, Charlie, (1942–1987), NASCAR Modified driver, Martinsville Speedway
- Johnson, Blaine (1962–1996), NHRA Winston Drag Racing 1996 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Qualifying Top Fuel Indianapolis Raceway Park
- Johnson, Julius "Slick" (1948–1990), Injuries suffered in an ARCA race, Daytona International Speedway
- Jacquemart, Patrick (1946–1981), IMSA GT testing accident, Mid-Ohio, death would lead to the research and invention of the HANS device.
- Jackson, Bert (1960-2011), ADRL Pro Stock, Rockingham Dragway
K
- Kalitta, Scott (1962–2008), NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing 2008 NHRA Lucas Oil Supernationals Qualifying Nitro Funny Car Englishtown, NJ
- Kalla, Ken (1948–1983), ARCA 200, Talladega
- Kazato, Hiroshi (1949–1974), Fuji Grand Champion race, Fuji Speedway, collision with Suzuki
- Keech, Ray (1898–1929), AAA race, Altoona
- Keller, Al (1920–1961), USAC Championship Car race, Phoenix
- Kesjár, Csaba (1962–1988), Norisring Formula 3 practice, Nuremberg
- Key, Johnny (1924–1954) Midgets, Cincinnati Race Bowl
- Kimmel, Billy (1979–2007), 410 Sprint Car, Williams Grove Speedway
- Kite, Harold (1921–1965), NASCAR National Series race, Charlotte
- Knotts, Ricky (1951–1980), NASCAR WCP qualifying race, Daytona
- Koinigg, Helmuth (1948–1974), US GP, Watkins Glen
- Krosnoff, Jeff (1964–1996), Molson Indy CART race, Toronto
- King, Steve (1973–2006), Knoxville Nationals Knoxville, Iowa (Sprint Car)
L
- Lafosse, Jean-Louis (1941–1981), Le Mans 24h
- Lambert, Percy (1881–1913), record attempt, Brooklands
- Larson, Jud (1928–1966), USAC Sprint Car race, Reading, Pennsylvania
- Leach, V.S. (died 1939), Australian Grand Prix, Lobethal South Australia
- Leasher, Glenn (1937–1962), record attempt, Bonneville Salt Flats
- Lehoux, Marcel (1888–1936), Deauville Grand Prix[4]
- Lami, Catullo, (-1939), Coppa Acerbo[4]
- Levegh, Pierre (1905–1955), 1955 Le Mans disaster
- Lewis-Evans, Stuart (1930–1958), Morocco GP, Casablanca, in hospital six days after race accident
- Lindley, Butch (1948–1990), Short track race, DeSoto Speedway
- Linder, Dick (April 6, 1923 - April 19, 1959) USAC Sprint Cup race, Trenton, NJ
- Lingenfelter, John (1945–2002), NHRA Sport Compact Drag Racing Series 2002 Auto Club NHRA Finals Pomona, CA Eliminations
- Lockhart, Frank (1903–1928), record attempt, Daytona Beach
- Lovell, Mark (1959–2003), SCCA Rally
- Lucienbonnet, Jean (1923–1962), Formula Junior, Enna-Pergusa Circuit, Sicily
- Lund, Tiny (1929–1975), Talladega 500 NASCAR race, Talladega
- Lyndon, Stuart (1950–1985), killed in an ARCA race at Atlanta Motor Speedway
M
- MacKay-Fraser, Herbert (1927–1957), Formula 2 race, Reims
- Malloy, Jim (1932–1972), Indy 500 qualifying
- Marcelo, Jovy (1965–1992), Indy 500 practice
- Maréchal, Pierre (1917–1949), 24 Hours of Le Mans
- Magaña, Marco, (-1993) Fórmula Dos (Formula 3) race, Autódromo de Monterrey
- Marimón, Onofre (1923–1954), German GP practice, Nürburgring
- Marshman, Bobby (1936–1964), Champ Car private testing, Phoenix
- Martin, Eric (1969–2002), ARCA, EasyCare 150 Practice Session, Lowes Motor Speedway
- Materassi, Emilio (1889–1928), Italian GP, Monza
- Matsunaga, Takashi (1943–1969) Suzuka 12 Hours race, Suzuka Circuit
- Mayer, Timmy (1938–1964), Tasman Cup race, Longford Circuit [5]
- Mays, Rex (1913–1949), AAA Champ Car race, Del Mar
- MacDonald, Dave (1936–1964), Indy 500
- MacTavish, Don (194?-1969), Sportsman 300, Daytona.
- McColl, Stewart (1979–2003), Production car, Phillip Island.
- McDuffie, J. D. (1938–1991), NASCAR Cup race, Watkins Glen
- McGrath, Jack (1919–1955), AAA Champ Car race, Phoenix
- McLaren, Bruce (1937–1970), McLaren Can-Am testing, Goodwood
- McLean, Bob (1933–1966), 1966 Sebring 12 Hour Race
- Medlen, Eric (1973–2007), NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing 2007 NHRA ACDelco Gatornationals Gainesville, FL Testing
- Mendez, Russel (? - 1975) Fatal Crash in 1975
- Merz, Otto (1889–1933), Avusrennen practice, AVUS
- Milburn, Danny (1950–1991), USAC Silver Crown at Phoenix Int'l Raceway
- Miller, Chet (1902–1953), Indy 500 practice
- Miles, Ken (1918–1966), Ford GT prototype testing, Riverside
- Minter, Kenny (1956–1995), S.M.A.R.T. Race, Caraway Speedway
- Mitsuno, Takeshi, Suzuka Circuit 1965
- Mitter, Gerhard (1935–1969), Formula 2, practice for F1 German Grand Prix, Nürburgring
- Moll, Guy (1910–1934), Coppa Acerbo, Pescara
- Moore, Greg (1975–1999), Marlboro 500 CART Champ Car race, Fontana
- Mouras, Roberto (1948–1992), Turismo Carretera race at Lobos, Argentina
- Müller, Herbert (1940–1981), 1000km Nürburgring Sports car race
- Muramatsu, Eiki (1965–1990), All-Japan Formula 3000 Championship testing accident, Fuji Speedway[6]
- Murphy, Jimmy (1894–1924), AAA Champ Car race, Syracuse
- Musso, Luigi (1924–1958), French GP, Reims
- Myers, Bobby (1927–1957), 1957 NASCAR Southern 500 at Darlington Speedway
N
- Nagai, Kenichi (1942–1966) Japanese GP, Fuji Speedway
- Nakano, Masaharu (1949–1973) Fuji 200 km race, Fuji Speedway
- Nazaruk, Mike (1921–1955), Sprint Car race, Langhorne
- Neal, Alan killed in final race in USA Grand Prix in 1966.
- Nemechek, John (1970–1997), NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race, Homestead
- Nève, Guy (1955–1992), Procar race at Chimay, Belgium
- Nix, Jimmy NHRA Winston Drag Racing Top Fuel 1994 Dallas, TX
- Niver, Mark (1950–2010), NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Top Alcohol 2010 Kent, WA
- Núñez, Marcelo (1977–2004), Desafío Corona (now NASCAR Mexico Corona Series) race at Monterrey, Mexico.
O
- O'Connor, Pat (1928–1958), Indy 500
- O'dor, Kieth (1962–1995), German STW (Super Tourenwagen) race, AVUS
- Ogawa, Hitoshi (1956–1992), Japanese F3000 race, Suzuka Circuit
- Oreiller, Henri (1925–1962), 1000 km Paris, Autodrome de Montlhéry
- Orr, Rodney (1962–1994), NWC Practice, Daytona
P
- Paletti, Riccardo (1958–1982), Canadian GP, Montreal
- Pardo, Carlos (1975–2009), Nascar México Series 2009
- Park, Michael (1966–2005), Wales Rally Great Britain, Margam
- Parry-Thomas, J.G. (1884–1927), Record attempt, Pendine Sands
- Parker, Neal (1952–2010), NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing 2010 NHRA Supernationals Qualifying Top Alcohol Funny Car Englishtown, NJ
- Pedrazzini, Carlo (?-1934), Pietro Bordino Circuit, Alessandria
- Perry, Stan (19??-2007), Super Late Model
- Peterson, Ronnie (1944–1978), Italian GP, Monza, in hospital one day after accident
- Petty, Adam (1980–2000), NASCAR BGN practice, Loudon
- Phillips, Russell (1969–1995), Sportsman race, Charlotte
- Phillips, Wanda (?-2007), Ladies Pure 4 division race, Lonesome Pine Raceway Coeburn, VA
- Polanco, Carlos (1968–1990), Chilean Formula 3 (serie Trofeo Nissan Sunny), Roca Roja, Antofagasta
- Pollard, Art (1927–1973), Indy 500 practice
- Porter, Mark (1975–2006), Fujitsu V8 Supercars support race for the Bathurst 1000
- Pratt, Donald(?-1989) Modified race, Pocono Raceway, Long Pond, PA
- Prince, Talmadge (1938–1970) Daytona 500 Qualifier #2, Daytona International Speedway
- Pryce, Tom (1949–1977), South African GP, Kyalami
Q
R
- Raby, Ian (1921–1967), died of injuries sustained in the 1967 Zandvoort Trophy Formula Two race
- Ratzenberger, Roland (1960–1994), San Marino GP qualifying, Imola
- Read, Tracy (1961–1987) - ARCA race at Talladega
- Reece, Jimmy (1929–1958), Champ Car race, Trenton
- Renault, Marcel (1872–1903), Paris Madrid race
- Renna, Tony (1976–2003), Indy Racing League test, Indianapolis
- Resta, Dario (1884–1924), Record attempt, Brooklands
- Revson, Peter (1939–1974), Shadow F1 testing at Kyalami one week before race South African GP
- Richards, Gene - Killed in an ARCA race at Talladega in 1982
- Rindt, Jochen (1942–1970), Italian GP qualifying, Monza
- Roberts, Johnny ( ? - 1965) - Killed in a NASCAR sportsman modified race crash at Lincoln Speedway, Pensylvania on July 24 1965
- Roberts, Fireball (1931–1964), NASCAR GNC race, Charlotte
- Roberts, Floyd (1901–1939), Indy 500
- Robinson, Jim (1946–1995), Succumbing to injuries suffered in a 1988 NASCAR West series crash at Phoenix Int'l Raceway
- Robson, George (1909–1946), Champ Car race, Lakewood Speedway, Atlanta
- Rodee, Chuck Indy 500 1966
- Rodríguez, Gonzalo (1972–1999), Champ Car qualifying, Laguna Seca
- Rodríguez, Pedro (1940–1971), Interserie Sports car race, Norisring
- Rodríguez, Ricardo (1942–1962), Mexican GP (NC) practice, Mexico City
- Roper, Tony (1964–2000), NASCAR CTS race, Fort Worth
- Rosemeyer, Bernd (1909–1938), record attempt, Frankfurt-Darmstadt Autobahn
- Rosier, Louis (1905–1956), Salon De Paris, Montlhéry
- Russell, Darrell (1968–2004) NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Top Fuel 2004 NHRA Sears Craftsman Nationals Madison, IL Eliminations
- Ryan, Peter (1942–1962), Formula Junior race, Reims
S
- Sachs, Eddie (1927–1964), Indy 500
- Santander, Sergio (195-1987), Chilean Formula 3 race, Las Vizcachas, Santiago
- Savage, Swede (1946–1973), Indy 500
- Scarfiotti, Ludovico (1933–1968), Hillclimb, Rossfeld
- Schell, Harry (1921–1960), Formula 1 testing, Silverstone
- Schindler, Bill (1909–1952), Allentown
- Schlesser, Jo (1928–1968), French GP, Rouen
- Schoonover, Terry (1952–1984), NASCAR WCP race, Atlanta
- Scott Brown, Archie (1927–1958), Sport Car Race at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
- Seaman, Richard (1913–1939), Belgian GP, Spa
- Senna, Ayrton (1960–1994), San Marino GP, Imola
- Shanahan, Neil (1979–1999), UK Formula Ford, Oulton Park
- Shepherd, Lee (1944–1985), Pro-Stock Drag testing, Ardmore
- Siffert, Jo (1936–1971), Non Championship F1 race, Brands Hatch
- Skeen, Buren (1936–1965), NASCAR Southern 500 at Darlington
- Smiley, Gordon (1946–1982), Indy 500 qualifying
- Smith, Larry (1942–1973), Talladega 500 NASCAR race, Talladega
- Snell, William (1914–1956), SCCA Club regional sportscar race, Arcata-Eureka Airport, death would lead to the Snell Memorial Foundation standard for helmets
- Solana, Moisés (1936–1969), Hillclimb Valle de Bravo - Bosencheve, México
- Sommer, Raymond (1906–1950), Non Championship Formula 1 race, Cadours
- Sondermann, Gustavo (1982–2011), Stock Car Brasil race (Copa Chevrolet Montana category), Autódromo José Carlos Pace
- Spangler, Lester (1906–1933) Indy 500
- Spence, Mike (1936–1968), Indy 500 practice
- Sperafico, Rafael (1981–2007), Stock Car Brasil race (Stock Car Light category), Autódromo José Carlos Pace
- Stacey, Alan (1933–1960), Belgian GP, Spa
- Stanley, Robbie (1967–1994), Sprint Car race, Winchester Speedway
- Stewart, Max (1935–1977), Practice for 1977 Australian Drivers Championship Race, Calder Park Raceway, Victoria, Australia
- Stommelen, Rolf (1943–1983), Sports Car race, Riverside International Raceway
- Surtees, Henry (1991–2009), Formula 2, Brands Hatch
- Sweikert, Bob (1926–1956), Sprint Car race, Salem
T
- Tachi, Shingo (1977–1999), JGTC testing, TI Circuit, Aida, Japan
- Takahashi, Toru (1960–1983), Grand Champion Series race, Fuji Speedway, Japan
- Taylor, Dennis (1921–1962), Formula Junior, Circuit de Monaco
- Taylor, John (1933–1966), German GP, Nürburgring
- Teague, Marshall (1921–1959), Champ Car testing, Daytona
- Toivonen, Henri (1956–1986), Tour de Corse, Corsica
- Torph, Lars-Erik (1961-1989), 5 special stage Rally Monte Carlo
- Trintignant, Louis (?-1933), Picardy Grand Prix practice, Péronne
U
- Unser, Jr., Jerry (1932-1959), 1959 Indianapolis 500, Indianapolis
V
- Varzi, Achille (1904–1948), Swiss Grand Prix practice, Circuit Bremgarten
- Villeneuve, Gilles (1950–1982), Belgian GP qualifying, Zolder
- von Trips, Wolfgang (1928–1961), Italian GP, Monza
- Vukovich, Bill (1918–1955), 39th Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, 30 May 1955
- Vukovich III, Bill (1963–1990), Sprint Car race, Mesa Marin Raceway
W
- Wade, Billy (1930-1965), tire testing, Daytona
- Warwick, Paul (1969–1991), British F3000 race, Oulton Park
- Watanabe, Akira (1944–1968), Fuji Speedway
- Watson, Don (?-1994), Practice for Bathurst 1000, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia
- Weatherly, Joe (1922–1964), NASCAR GNC race, Riverside
- Wheldon, Dan (1978-2011), IZOD World Championships, Las Vegas
- White, Nolan (1931–2002), land speed record attempt, Bonneville
- Wilcox, Howdy (1889–1923), Champ Car race, Altoona
- Williams, Don (?-1989), crash in Sportsman 300
- Williamson, Roger (1948–1973), Dutch GP, Zandvoort
- Williamson, Tim (1956–1980), NASCAR Grand American race, Riverside
- Wimille, Jean-Pierre (1908–1949), Argentinian GP, Buenos Aires
- Winkelhock, Manfred (1951–1985), Sports car race, Mosport International Raceway
- Woolfe, John (1932–1969), 24 Hour Le Mans
Y
Z
- Zborowski, Louis (1895-1924), 1924 Italian Grand Prix, Monza
Open wheel types
Deaths in Formula One World Championship
Main article: List of Formula One fatal accidentsIn F1 history, from 1953 to 1994, 27 drivers have died during race or in free practice or qualifying session. In addition, spectators or track workers have died due to incidents in the 1953 Argentine Grand Prix, 1961 Italian Grand Prix, 1962 Monaco Grand Prix, 1975 Spanish Grand Prix, 1977 South African Grand Prix, 1977 Japanese Grand Prix, 1981 Belgian Grand Prix, 2000 Italian Grand Prix and 2001 Australian Grand Prix.
Deaths in Champ Car World Series
Main article: List of Champ Car fatal accidentsDeaths in Formula 2
- Herbert McKay-Fraser, Reims, 1957
- Ivor Bueb, Clermont Ferrand, 1959
- Ian Raby, Zandvoort, 1967
- Jim Clark, Hockenheimring, April 1968
- Gerhard Mitter, Nurburgring, 1969
- Bert Hawthorne, Hockenheimring, 1972
- Gerry Birrell, Rouen, 1973
- Markus Höttinger, Hockenheimring, 1980
- Hans-Georg Bürger, Zandvoort, 1980
- Henry Surtees, Brands Hatch, 2009
Deaths in Formula 3000
- Eiki Muramatsu, Fuji Speedway, March 1990
- Paul Warwick, Oulton Park, July 1991
- Hitoshi Ogawa, Suzuka, 1992
- Marco Campos, Magny-Cours, October 1995
Deaths in IRL
See also List of Indianapolis 500 deaths
- Scott Brayton, Indianapolis, May 1996 (in practice)
- Tony Renna, Indianapolis, October 2003 (in testing)
- Paul Dana, Homestead-Miami, March 2006 (in practice)
- Dan Wheldon, Las Vegas, October 2011
Deaths in junior openwheel categories
- Senkichi Omura, Formula 2000, Suzuka, 1974
- Koji Onoda, Formula J1600, Tsukuba, 1982
Stock car types
Deaths in NASCAR Winston Cup/Nextel Cup/Sprint Cup
Main article: List of NASCAR fatal accidentsDeaths in NASCAR Busch/Nationwide Series (since 1982)
Main article: List of NASCAR fatal accidentsDeaths in NASCAR Craftsman/Camping World Truck Series (since 1995)
Main article: List of NASCAR fatal accidentsDeaths in NASCAR Modified Series
Main article: List of NASCAR fatal accidentsDeaths in NASCAR Sportsman Series
Main article: List of NASCAR fatal accidentsDeaths in Auto Racing Club of America
- Gene Richards, Talladega, July 1982
- Ken Kalla, Talladega, May 1983
- Francis Affleck, Daytona, January 1985
- Stuart Lyndon, Atlanta, June 1985
- Tracy Read, Talladega, July 1987
- Slick Johnson, Daytona, February 1990
- Chris Gehrke, Talladega, May 1991
- Chad Coleman, Atlanta, August 1998
- Scott Baker, Toledo, June 2000
- Blaise Alexander, Charlotte, October 2001
- Eric Martin, Charlotte, October 2002 (in practice)
Deaths in NASCAR (before 1949)
- Slick Davis, Greensboro, July 1948 (1st NASCAR fatality in history)
Rallying
Deaths in FIA World Rally Championship
Main article: List of fatal World Rally Championship accidentsDeaths in Dakar Rally
Main article: List of Dakar Rally fatal accidentsDeaths in SCCA ProRally and Rally America
- Mark Lovell, July 2003
- Roger Freeman, July 2003
- Matthew Marker, April 2011 [1]
Deaths in other rally races
- XU Lang, Trans-oriental Rally, 16 June 2008
- Peter Brock, Targa West, 8 September 2006
- Khalid Bakhressa, Zanzibar, 16 December 2007[7]
Drag Racing
Deaths in IHRA
- Walter Henry, 1989
- Dwight Shepard, 1989
- Wayne Bailey, October 2000
Deaths in NHRA
- John Hagen, August, 1983
- Lee Shepherd, 11 March 1985
- Blaine Johnson, 31 August 1996
- Carrie Jo Neal, 25 July 1997
- John Lingenfelter, 27 October 2002, died on 25 December 2003
- Darrell Russell, 27 June 2004 During 2nd round eliminations
- Michelle "Shelly" Howard, 2 April 2005
- Eric Medlen, 23 March 2007 Severe tire shake during testing causing brain injury, died 3 days later
- John Shoemaker, 8 March 2008
- Scott Kalitta, 21 June 2008
- Neal Parker, 11 June 2010
- Mark Niver, 11 July 2010
Endurance racing
Deaths in 24 Hours of Le Mans
Main article: List of 24 Hours of Le Mans fatal accidentsDeaths in 1000km Nürburgring
- Herbert Müller, Nürburgring, 1981
Deaths in Grand-Am
- Jeff Clinton, Homestead-Miami, March 2002
Other Endurance races
- Henri Oreiller, 1000 km Paris, 1962
- Kiyoshi Akiyama, Suzuka 12 Hours race, 1970
- Ignazio Giunti, Buenos Aires, January 1971
- Pedro Rodriguez, Norisring, July 1971
- Rolf Stommelen, Riverside, 1983
- Stefan Bellof, Spa-Francorchamps, 1985
- Manfred Winkelhock, Mosport Park, 1985
- Mike Burgmann, Bathurst 1000, October 1986
- Don Watson, Bathurst 1000, October 1994 (in practice)
- Michele Alboreto, EuroSpeedway Lausitz, April 2001 (in testing run)
Grand Touring and sportscar racing
Excluding those listed under as endurance racing
Trans-Am Series
- Jerry Titus, Road America, 1969
- Jim Fitzgerald, Saint Petersburg Grand Prix, 1987
- Mike Gagliardo, Mosport, 2001
Hillclimbing
- Wallace Coleman, 1 September 1921, Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
- Ludovico Scarfiotti, 8 June 1968, near Berchtesgaden
- Mark Colton, August 1995, Craigantlet
- Ralph Chandler Bruning Jr. 2001, Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
Sprint Cars
- Alvin Gatlin W.Memphis Ark, Sprintcar
- Sonny Sayre Tunica, MS, Sprintcar
- Vince Osman, Kokomo Speedway
Deaths in United States Automobile Club
- Jud Larson, June 1966, Sprint Car
- Red Riegel, June 1966, Sprint Car
- Rich Vogler, July 1990
- Danny Milburn, February 1991
- Kara Hendrick, October 1991, Midget car
- Robbie Stanley, May 1994
- Don Townsend, 9 July 1995, practice lap
- Joe Rebman, 11 August 2006, during race
Deaths in National Sprint Tour
- Fred Brownfield, 18 June 2006, owner of the National Sprint Tour, while chalking start line during a modified race at Grays Harbor Raceway.
Deaths in World of Outlaws
- Kevin Gobrecht, September 1999
- Ron Laney, 2004
- Billy Kimmel, 2 September 2007
Main article: Driver deaths in British motorsport seriesSee also
- List of deaths by motorcycle accidents
- List of people who died in road accidents
- List of sports people who have died during their career - includes and deaths outside of racing
- List of accidents and disasters by death toll for sporting events
- List of fatal accidents in motorboat racing
Notes
References
External links
Categories:- Lists of motorsport fatalities
- Lists of auto racing people
- Racecar drivers killed while racing
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