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10 Most Dangerous Racetracks

While there might be more statistically treacherous sports, auto racing, particularly the less mainstream brands of rallying, still remains one of the most prominent and often deadly daredevil sports in the world. Drivers often reach speeds of over 400 kmph. That kind of pace, while exciting, has often been a recipe for disaster. Even with today's more sophisticated safety equipment, not a year goes by that the sport doesn't claim the lives of several competitors. So, for one the deadliest sporting events in the world, the following is a list of ten of the most dangerous race courses in history.

Baja 1000

Every year, spectators damage the course by digging holes, blocking river flow, or burying and hiding obstacles. Racers are warned to beware of large crowds of spectators in remote parts of the course since it may indicate hidden traps or obstacle changes. The traps are not created to intentionally injure contestants but are created by the local spectators as jumps or obstacles for spectator entertainment. But, the haphazardly-designed jumps pose as disasters as contestants enter traps at unsafe speeds resulting in great damage to the vehicles, competitors and spectators. The best prepared teams win. Nonetheless, given the danger the traps pose, it is customary for competitors to quickly communicate course hazards to other competitors through on-board radio communications and radio relay.

Targa Florio

The first turn of the race and Giulio Masetti got killed. The racer was driving his 1926 Delage. His car wore the number 13, and since then no other car in the Targa Florio has had that number. In its most recent configuration (from 1951 to 1977) the Targa Florio was ten laps on a 45 mile course through the Madonie Mountains of Sicily. Mountain roads, switchback hairpins, gravel, mud, spectators and buildings right up against the edge of the track come in the way of competitors. In 1974 the racetrack was declared 'too dangerous' to be run as part of the WRC, further confirming its dangerous reputation.

Spa-Francorchamps

Spa's Eau Rouge corner is one of the most loved in all of motorsports, but also part of one of the most deadly tracks. This race course is also considered to be one of the most challenging race tracks in the world, mainly due to its fast, hilly and twisty nature. Originally constructed in 1924, the track now bears little resemblance to its previous layouts. As Chris Bristow tried to keep his Cooper ahead of Willy Mairesse's Ferrari on lap 20 at the 1960 Belgian Grand Prix, he rolled his car in the Burnenville corner, beheading himself. Stirling Moss had broken both his legs and several ribs the previous day at the same spot. Since its opening, 23 drivers have lost their lives there.

Le Mans

Started in 1923, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of the most glamorous events in car racing. The circuit features a nearly 6.4 km long straight, on which cars have reached speeds of up to 418 kmph. To date, The Circuit de La Sarthe has claimed the lives of 24 drivers. Le Mans was also the site of the worst motor racing accident to date in 1955, killing between 80 and 100 spectators and injuring another 120, in addition to driver Pierre Levegh. As a result, all forms of racing were banned in several European nations until tracks there could be made safer. While most nations have since lifted their bans, auto racing is still banned today in Switzerland.

Daytona International Speedway

Many accidents have happened and many notable drivers and participants have been fatally injured during auto racing events at the Daytona International Speedway. The death of Dale Earnhardt, however, on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500 is certainly one of the most legendary. It was referred to as Black Sunday by the Sporting Press, a title that it keeps to this day. Racing for his second win at the 500, Earnhardt hit the wall at about 257 kmph, killing him instantly. Since its opening in 1959, Daytona International Speedway has claimed the lives of 28 drivers. The track is banked at 31 degrees in the corners, and 18 degrees on the start/finish straight.

Monza

Opened in 1922, Monza is one of the oldest tracks on the list. The circuit, better known for hosting the Formula One Italian Grand Prix, is notable for the fact that drivers are on full throttle for a higher-than-average percentage of the lap due to its long straights. Some of the highest speeds on the Formula One calendar have been reached here. This track was once the home of the banked Parabolica corner. It used to cross over itself in its old configuration. The fatal 1961 crash of Wolfgang Von Trips in his 156 Sharknose Ferrari put an end to Formula 1 cars on the banked section of the track's oval course, and to Von Trips' World Championship hopes, which he would have won that year.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Considered relatively flat by American standards but high-banked by Europeans, the Motor Speedway is a two and a half mile, nearly rectangular oval with dimensions that have remained essentially unchanged since its inception: four 0.4 km turns, two 1 km long straightaways between the fourth and first and second and third turns, and two 0.2 km short straightaways, termed "short chutes," between the first and second, and third and fourth turns. Since its construction in 1909, Indianapolis Motor Speedway has seen the deaths of 42 competitors, most recently Tony Renna, who lost his life during a private tire test session in 2003.

The Paris-Dakar Rally

Run from Paris to Dakar, the Dakar Rally has been sending drivers and navigators over some of the roughest terrain on the planet since 1979. Starting last year, the race has been moved to South America due to safety concerns. 45 competitors have lost their lives somewhere along the way, averaging a little less than one competitor death per year, with the most recent last year. Pascal Terry died on the course after running out of fuel. Unfortunately, race officials confused his brother for him. Due to the miscommunication, no search was started until three days later, when it was already too late.

Nurburgring Nordschleife

Perhaps most famously, the track is where Ferrari driver Niki Lauda nearly died in 1976. He was issued the last rites by a priest, only to return to Formula 1 racing two races later, in Italy. Since its construction in the 1920s, the Nordschleife, known as the 'The Green Hell' has taken the lives of 52 drivers, the most recent being Leo Lowenstein in April 2010 in an Aston Martin V8 Vantage. While track management does not publish any official figures, several regular visitors to the track have used police reports to estimate the number of fatalities at somewhere between 3 and 12 in a full year.

Isle of Man TT

The races at this course are extremely dangerous because of the high speeds on very narrow, twisting streets, roads and lanes flanked by stone walls and even buildings. Motor racing began on the Isle of Man in 1904 with the Gordon Bennett Eliminating Trial and were originally restricted to touring automobiles. With racers reaching top speeds of around 290 kmph on single lane country roads, it's almost surprising the Isle of Man, by far the most dangerous course on the top ten list hasn't claimed more than 227 lives in its 103-year history.

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