From: Jim Hill <Jim_Hill@chsra.wisc.edu>
To: "'triumphs@autox.team.net '" <triumphs@autox.team.net>
Subject: burning magnesium
Date sent: Thu, 4 Jan 2001 15:24:40 -0600
Send reply to: Jim Hill <Jim_Hill@chsra.wisc.edu>
Whoever brought up the subject of igniting magnesium wheels should be
horsewhipped . . . wait a minute, it was ME!
For those interested,
Magnesium ignition was the reason of the worst disaster in motor
racing history. Some of you might remember Le Mans 1955 when
Pierre Levegh's Mercedes 300 SLR hit an Austin Healey and
veered off into the crowd opposite to the pit lane.More than 80
people including Pierre Levegh were killed when the magnesium
alloy engine exploded in the middle of the crowd.As you know it
took many years to Mercedes to get over this tragedy and to
resume competition.
Regards from EU
Jean
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