25 Years ago ... Gilles Villeneuve killed
5/8/2007 at 2:10 PM
From CBC Archives 8 May 1982:
He may be the fastest driver in history. In his blood-red Ferrari, Canadian racing legend Gilles Villeneuve is tearing up the Formula One circuit. His risky, all-or-nothing style is thrilling to watch and lands him on the podium 13 times in only four seasons from 1978 to 1982. Formula One is the pinnacle of world auto racing, and for the first time in history a Canadian is the best of the best. And then the worst happens.
During a practice run in Zolder, Belgium, Villeneuve's speeding Ferrari hits rear of the slow-moving car of German driver Jochen Mass. The Ferrari is tossed high into the air; Villeneuve's safety harness breaks and he is thrown 30 metres across the track. Doctors try mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, but Villeneuve's neck is broken. He dies in a local hospital that evening.
Various CBC Archived News Coverage of the crash:
http://archives.cbc.ca/400d.asp?id=1-41-339-1808
CBC News story from his funeral on May 12:
http://archives.cbc.ca/IDC-1-41-179-992-11/on_this_day/sports/gilles_villeneuve_death