June 11, 1955 Lemans disaster. Spectators flee as the Mercedes-Benz exploded as it hit the grandstand. Parts of the wreckage were blown into the enclosure killing at least 80 people. The driver, Pierre Levegh, was killed outright. This was the biggest disaster at a motor racing circuit up to that time. Mercedes-Benz withdrew from all motor racing at the end of the 1955 season and didn&#x27;t return until 1987.