Car Crash Videos: The 12 Wildest Motorsport Crashes Caught on Camera

Motorsports can be incredibly dangerous – all it takes is one slip of your concentration and you’re into the wall or on top of another driver. From motorcycles to racecars to boats and more, there have been some spectacular accidents caught on camera (both photographs and video). From the incredibly tragic to the “how did that happen” moments, here are some of the craziest motorsports car crash videos ever caught on film.12. Le Mans 1955There have been any number of notable, tragic accidents and eye-opening wrecks in the world of auto racing, but few of them compare to the tragedy that occurred at Le Mans in 1955. It resulted in 83 spectators dead (not to mention the drivers involved), and another 120 seriously injured.Driver Mike Hawthorne belatedly tried to make it to the pit for gas and tires. The car behind him lost control and slewed into another, which collided with the ramp and, launching off the second car, went airborne. The driver was killed on impact, and the engine, front axle and hood were sent into the crowd. The car was built of magnesium, and caught fire, only to explode when fire crews attempted to put it out.11. Roger WilliamsRoger Williams entered his second Formula One race, but did not emerge alive. A tire failure led to his car flipping over and bursting into flames. Other drivers attempted to save the trapped man but by the time the fire truck arrived, Williams was dead from asphyxiation.10. Gilles VilleneuveOne of the more insane car crash videos was in 1982. Top-ranked Formula One driver Gilles Villeneuve was fatally injured after being ejected from his car and into a safety fence. He was put on life support, but later died at the hospital.9. Alex ZanardiIn 2001, Alex Zanardi barely managed to escape with his life after his car spun out of control trying to come back onto the track after making a stop in the pit. Hit by another driver, the front half of the car was sheered away taking Zanardi’s legs in the process. His life was saved by fast-thinking paramedics, and he actually still races using a pair of prosthetics.8. Greg MooreIn 1999, Greg Moore lost his life in a CART race. He lost control of his vehicle at roughly 200 mph and the top of the car collided with a concrete wall. Moore was not killed instantly, but died of his injuries some time later.7. Jerry CaminitoFunny cars are a blast to watch, but they can be incredibly dangerous. In 1994, Jerry Caminito’s spill plate broke off the car, causing him to lose control. The car blasted though the left barrier and was completely destroyed in the process. The driver was airlifted to a nearby hospital, and his life saved, but it was a very close thing.6. Dale EarnhardtDale Sr. definitely deserves a spot of honor on this list. One of America’s most popular racecar drivers, Earnhardt was killed in what most thought was little more than a fender-bender. It was this accident that led to the requirement for NASCAR drivers to wear specially designed head restraints while on the track.5. Lorenzo BandiniIt was 1967 and Lorenzo Bandini was participating in the vaunted Monaco Grand Prix when he clipped a guardrail with the left rear wheel. That sent the car skidding out of control, and eventually into a light pole. The force of the impact was enough to flip the car over, and it then burst into flames. Bandini was not killed instantly, but died three days later due to third-degree burns over most of his body.4. Tetsuya OtaIn one of the worst fiery accidents of all time, Tetsuya Ota was forced to suffer in 800-degree heat until he was pulled from the wreckage by another driver. When the fire marshals finally arrived, they laid Ota on his back, causing the melted plastic of his helmet visor to drip down and cover his face, further burning and disfiguring him. Ota was not killed, but his racing career ended forever in that day of flames.3. Alberto AscariThe Monaco Grand Prix is an incredible race that takes place around the city itself. One leg leads past the harbor, and this has posed problems for a number of racers. In 1950, a wave soaked the track and took out 10 cars. However, in 1955, Alberto Ascari miscalculated and his car careened off the road and into the water of the harbor. Ascari managed to escape with his life, but it was a near thing. Sadly, he was killed just four days later while testing another car.2. Stan FoxIt was 1995, and Stan Fox was driving in the Indianapolis 500. A crash ripped the entire nose section off his car, leaving his legs exposed – he nearly lost both his life and legs, but managed to keep both. He did, however, sustain serious head injuries and he never raced again.1. Tom PryceOne of the craziest car crash videos that was particularly tragic was the 1977 South African Grand Prix. When Renzo Zorzi experienced a problem with his car he safely pulled over and got clear of the vehicle, which caught fire. Two race officials attempted to cross the track with fire extinguishers and one was struck by Tom Pryce, who was driving at 170 mph and unaware of the situation. The extinguisher the official carried struck Pryce and killed him, and then Pryce’s car crashed into another.As crazy as motorsports can be, there's a lot that we can learn.

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