18 replies to this topic

[Nanni Dietrich]

Reading an old Autosprint magazine, I've found an article about the stop of the activity at the Salzburgring circuit, in June 1971, after an inspection of GPDA and CSI rapresentatives: the circuit was closed because the safety systems were not according to the rules established (too high rails, boxes, etc.).

The inspection arrived at Salzburgring - it's written in the article - after a terrific accident that happened in a Formula-V race, in May 1971 I presume, in which two drivers were involved, one of them was killed and the other was injured and suffered great burns.

I've never heard this sad fact, I don't know who the poor drivers were and I don't remember when the circuit was re-opened, or after what kind of changing.

[gdecarli]

On Autosprint 25/1971, page 31 I found a report of a Formula V race at Salzburgring, raced on June 20th 1971. The article reports three injuried, two with third degree burns, but no deads, without any more detail.

Autosprint 30/1971, page 35 (the one quoted by Nanni Dietrich) reported one driver dead and one with severe injuries and burns. This make me think that the unknown driver died at least the day after the accident.

Salzburgring circuit was closed on June 25th for safety reason, as reported by Autosprint 27/1971, page 36 (but without date) and Autosprint 30/1971, page 35.

Nevertheless, Autosprint 31/1971 page 39 reports that they were trying to organize non championship F.1 and F.2 races to be scheduled on August 30 1971, even a sanction by CSI blocked all international activities for 60 days after the reopening.

Ciao,
Guido

[Nanni Dietrich]

Can some Austrian friend help us?
Thanks.

[rikkivonopel]

According to motorsportmemorial website, there weren't dead in Salzburgring in the year 1971.

[gdecarli]

Yes, you are right, but we are searching for Motorsport Memorial, not from it!



Ciao,
Guido

[Hugo Boecker]

I found May 23 Tauern Pokal Salzburgring. The Tauern Pokal was a heat for the 2litre sportscar championship.
The Meeting on June 20th was organisised by the ASC Bavaria, Munic and called : ADAC Bavaria -Rennen. So it was a German National Meeting held in Austria.

[Nanni Dietrich]

From an old newspaper of the 70s, I've found highly summarized information about an Austrian Formel Vau driver called Joseph Messner (also known as Joe Messner ? ) who was killed in a race accident, place unknown, date unknown.
Perhaps, was he the unfortunate driver who lost his life in the Salzburgring 1971 accident?

[Tomas Karlsson]

How long was the Salzburgring circuit closed? They held a race in the two-litre sportscar championship in May 1972 as well as in '71.
And the GPDA boss Jo Bonnier was driving there in both '71 and '72. Didn't he see that the circuit wasn't up to normal safety standards? Strange...

[Hugo Boecker]

Originally posted by Nanni Dietrich
From an old newspaper of the 70s, I've found highly summarized information about an Austrian Formel Vau driver called Joseph Messner (also known as Joe Messner ? ) who was killed in a race accident, place unknown, date unknown.
Perhaps, was he the unfortunate driver who lost his life in the Salzburgring 1971 accident?

Seems to fit but still no evidence. Maybee some daily papers would give the facts. The race was run as ADAC Bavaria Rennen so some Munic papers may have reported.

Powerslidepoints out in August 71 that the Salzburgring was closed for international events by the CSI. In 1970 two CSI inspectors ( Jo Bonnier and Bacciagaluppi) vistited the circuit and criticized the pit exit and entry and some guardrails. Nothing happend till June July 71 .
It was planned to reopen for a joint F1/F2 race on August 29th but this race was cancceled.
The circuit was reopened for international events from Oct. 1st 1971 according to powerslide October 71

Were there anyother fatalities at the Salzburgring besides:
1977 motorbike rider STADELMANN
1985 motorbikerider FROHN
1989 motorbikerider HUTTNER
1994 3 marshals

[Tomas Karlsson]

I have found a note in a magazine that there should be a round in the European FFord championship on the track in October 1971. That fits in with the reopening of the track.

Interesting to note that Bonnier raced at Salzburgring after he had criticised the track. But then he raced at Targa Florio too...

[Hugo Boecker]

Originally posted by Tomas Karlsson
I have found a note in a magazine that there should be a round in the European FFord championship on the track in October 1971. That fits in with the reopening of the track.

Interesting to note that Bonnier raced at Salzburgring after he had criticised the track. But then he raced at Targa Florio too...

and Jo Bo and friends banned the Nordschleife for safty reasons - he race at the Südschleife in an Interserie Race. only some weeks later.

In this Powerslide report it is also said that Bonnier was interersed in becoming a safety consultant for the Salzburgring and asked for 10.000 US $ but the Salzburgring management refused. So Bonnier came back being the safty inspector. This role was very much discussed in the papers in that time.

[Arjan de Roos]

Only small race results can be found on Joseph/Joe Messner:

ONS Cup for FV Ausweisfahrer 1967
ONS stands for "Oberste Nationale Sportbehörde", a german answer to improve racing safety by equipping cars with special tools (Herbert Linge initiative).

In german motor racing ausweisfahrer are non-licensed drivers.

28/6/1970 Norisring Formel V: 3rd in category for non-licensed (Ausweisfahrer) in a Karringer MKF I.

He seems to have won the national Formula Vee championship for non-licensed drivers of what was then BRD (West-Germany).

He is listed as a resident of Western-Germany.

[subh]

In case it helps, the Austrian motorcycle Grands Prix were held at the Salzburgring on 2nd May 1971.

[bschenker]

The F2 race 1971 was cancelled and I think to remember tat's the Salzburgring was changed for 1972, especially the east part and after the start line was introduced a chicane.

[Nanni Dietrich]

At this page
http://www.norisring.../1970/70_03.htm
the 1970 Norisring race of Joe Messner, as Arjan said.

Perhaps the 1971 German F. Vau Series had one round also at the Salzburgring in Austria.
Ans Messner went on.

[Hugo Boecker]

Originally posted by Nanni Dietrich
At this page
http://www.norisring.../1970/70_03.htm
the 1970 Norisring race of Joe Messner, as Arjan said.

Perhaps the 1971 German F. Vau Series had one round also at the Salzburgring in Austria.
Ans Messner went on.

Yes, as I said above:
The Meeting on June 20th was organisised by the ASC Bavaria, Munic and called : ADAC Bavaria -Rennen. So it was a German National Meeting held in Austria.
and there was a FV heat in this meeting

[Nanni Dietrich]

Finally our good friend Peet van den Ancker from the Netherlands gives us the answer!

From dutch newspaper De Tijd, issue of 28 June 1971, German driver Joseph Messner had the accident on the Salzburgring in the "Bavaria-race" for formula Vee cars. He was seriously wounded when his car drove to the guardrail and got fire. He died later in hospital, but the date is not mentioned. The article tells further thats the safety-commision of the FIA has not closed the circuit but has ordered mesures to improve the safety.

Very good job Peet, thank you.

[Tomas Karlsson]

In this Powerslide report it is also said that Bonnier was interersed in becoming a safety consultant for the Salzburgring and asked for 10.000 US $ but the Salzburgring management refused. So Bonnier came back being the safty inspector. This role was very much discussed in the papers in that time.

Hugo, when was it that Bonnier tried to be a safety consultant? Was it when the track was built or was it later?

[Hugo Boecker]

Originally posted by Tomas Karlsson

Hugo, when was it that Bonnier tried to be a safety consultant? Was it when the track was built or was it later?

It comes not quite clear, but I think it was just when the track was in use, anyway this inspection was in 1970. I'll search the 1970 editions for some hints and give you additional infos.