Saarlouis street circuit

Racing events, drivers, cars or anything else from the past.
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#31

Post by Motorsportrace »

Bottom post of the previous page:

hollie3sa wrote: 5 years ago Moving this where it belongs:
Motorsportrace wrote: 5 years ago
hollie3sa wrote: 5 years ago
Motorsportrace wrote: 5 years ago
hollie3sa wrote: 5 years ago Well, yeah: 1972.

I have a picture of the accident somewhere. Aftermath footage exists as well. Both cars were badly mangled. The footage is only available in the archive at the premises of the local TV channel (SR). The picture, I might be able to share.
Hidden camera, and you've done it. :cool:

No, I'm joking. I'd like to see the picture, if you still have it.

It would be interesting to get that video. I suppose it would be really expensive, or, even, the TV Station wouldn't give it to private citizens, but only to businesses (as RAI does).
The archive is kept alive by one single, elderly man. He's very kind and likeable as well. Wouldn't want to screw him over
Plus, that small room in the basement of one of their buildings with the rolls of film and the old television set makes modern technology such as a real camera really conspicous :happy:

They actually do sell copies of their programmes. I sent them a list with the items I'm interested in as well shortly after I visited their archive. It's not cheap to acquire material from there but not too expensive. The problem is: When I was there, their contractor who produced a digital copy of their 16mm-footage ceased his services. At the time, they were looking for a replacement.
Good thing you remind me. Will try to give them a call this week and see where we are.



I have the picture. Of course I have. Why wouldn't I? But I wanted to keep it private for as long as I'm working on the Saarlouis circuit stuff. Be patient :wink:

Ok, don't worry, I'll be patient.

Had a quick talk on the phone with the lady from the SR today:

Her predecessor is not working there anymore which is why I never received an update. Another company, apparently, has been found to produce copies from their archived footage.
The problem is the process of publishing the footage. For private use only, copies can be acquired easily. Publishing the footage without their consent might get me into some trouble. Getting their consent probably won't be too easy.

I'll send them an e-mail, probably later today, then update this post accordingly.


@Motorsportrace:

Image

Source: Saarbrücker Zeitung, issue of Tuesday, May 30 1972
Thanks for that.
So... that would be the "ill-fated" car, if someone really died in that crash? Or is it the other one that was involved?

Well, you're lucky that acquiring copies for private use is easy.
Ok, you might not be able to post them here, but that's already a good thing, trust me.

Thanks for the update.
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#32

Post by hollie3sa »

I can't tell for sure. Would have to revisit their archive to confirm which car this is.
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#33

Post by hollie3sa »

Just a small update:

I spoke to the head of the sports department of the Saarländischer Rundfunk (SR). He confirmed that their footage of the events still is not digitized and probably won't be in the foreseeable future.
So we won't get to see any official videos of the races. But I know that a Super 8 video exists and I know the name of the person who filmed it. Will give him a call the next week or so.
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#34

Post by hollie3sa »

Ok, haven't called that person in the previous post. But what a nice reminder it is.

But: I am in contact with Norbert Kürschner, one of the two drivers involved in the severe accident which can be seen above. He is very much alive and willing to share his view of the story :-)
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#35

Post by Sedre »

What about fatality happened at same race (http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus ... =ct&n=1548)? As Norbert Kürschner is alive and Rainer Schmidt presumably survived this accident:
Sedre wrote: 5 years ago There's certain Rainer Schmidt, who was Ford Escort Cup 1300 GT champion in 1971 (http://www.fomcc.de/motorsport.htm). And also there's Rainer Schmidt who raced in 1975 (http://touringcarracing.net/Races/1975% ... eilen.html) with Escort Mk I. I think we should continue searching information as it could be possible that Schmidt, who was seriously injured in Saarlouis, is same who won Escort Cup or/and same who raced in Hockenheim three years later.
does this mean that another driver actually lost his life in different accident or reports about fatality were incorrect?
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#36

Post by hollie3sa »

Sedre wrote: 3 years ago What about fatality happened at same race (http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus ... =ct&n=1548)? As Norbert Kürschner is alive and Rainer Schmidt presumably survived this accident:
Sedre wrote: 5 years ago There's certain Rainer Schmidt, who was Ford Escort Cup 1300 GT champion in 1971 (http://www.fomcc.de/motorsport.htm). And also there's Rainer Schmidt who raced in 1975 (http://touringcarracing.net/Races/1975% ... eilen.html) with Escort Mk I. I think we should continue searching information as it could be possible that Schmidt, who was seriously injured in Saarlouis, is same who won Escort Cup or/and same who raced in Hockenheim three years later.
does this mean that another driver actually lost his life in different accident or reports about fatality were incorrect?
I think - I don't know yet - that both drivers survived. And I don't think any other driver was involved. So no fatality.

Will call him soon. You'll hear from me. A couple of days or so.
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#37

Post by Sedre »

Ok, thanks. After you will receive all information, who will notice Nanni about this - you or me?
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#38

Post by hollie3sa »

You :-D

I'll update the relevant thread. Just the way we usually proceed with updates.
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#39

Post by hollie3sa »

hollie3sa wrote: 3 years ago
Sedre wrote: 3 years ago What about fatality happened at same race (http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus ... =ct&n=1548)? As Norbert Kürschner is alive and Rainer Schmidt presumably survived this accident:
Sedre wrote: 5 years ago There's certain Rainer Schmidt, who was Ford Escort Cup 1300 GT champion in 1971 (http://www.fomcc.de/motorsport.htm). And also there's Rainer Schmidt who raced in 1975 (http://touringcarracing.net/Races/1975% ... eilen.html) with Escort Mk I. I think we should continue searching information as it could be possible that Schmidt, who was seriously injured in Saarlouis, is same who won Escort Cup or/and same who raced in Hockenheim three years later.
does this mean that another driver actually lost his life in different accident or reports about fatality were incorrect?
I think - I don't know yet - that both drivers survived. And I don't think any other driver was involved. So no fatality.

Will call him soon. You'll hear from me. A couple of days or so.
Managed to acquire a copy of original 1972 TV report from the SR, distributed by rbbmedia. Obviously I can not share the footage due to copyright reasons.

Kürschner drove the yellow #166 Escort (seen in this post). He was the one who crashed into the bridge abutement after contact with another driver (that's what Kürschner told me on the phone). Rainer Schmidt from Hannover, driving a red Ford Escort (#172), couldn't avoid the wreckage. According to Kürschner, Schmidt was hit in the head by debris (more precise: parts of his gearbox) from his accident which went through the windscreen of Schmidt's Escort.
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#40

Post by PTRACER »

hollie3sa wrote: 3 years ago
hollie3sa wrote: 3 years ago
Sedre wrote: 3 years ago What about fatality happened at same race (http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus ... =ct&n=1548)? As Norbert Kürschner is alive and Rainer Schmidt presumably survived this accident:
Sedre wrote: 5 years ago There's certain Rainer Schmidt, who was Ford Escort Cup 1300 GT champion in 1971 (http://www.fomcc.de/motorsport.htm). And also there's Rainer Schmidt who raced in 1975 (http://touringcarracing.net/Races/1975% ... eilen.html) with Escort Mk I. I think we should continue searching information as it could be possible that Schmidt, who was seriously injured in Saarlouis, is same who won Escort Cup or/and same who raced in Hockenheim three years later.
does this mean that another driver actually lost his life in different accident or reports about fatality were incorrect?
I think - I don't know yet - that both drivers survived. And I don't think any other driver was involved. So no fatality.

Will call him soon. You'll hear from me. A couple of days or so.
Managed to acquire a copy of original 1972 TV report from the SR, distributed by rbbmedia. Obviously I can not share the footage due to copyright reasons.

Kürschner drove the yellow #166 Escort (seen in this post). He was the one who crashed into the bridge abutement after contact with another driver (that's what Kürschner told me on the phone). Rainer Schmidt from Hannover, driving a red Ford Escort (#172), couldn't avoid the wreckage. According to Kürschner, Schmidt was hit in the head by debris (more precise: parts of his gearbox) from his accident which went through the windscreen of Schmidt's Escort.
That's awesome after 2 years. This is a very niche area of interest, but considering where you were when you first opened this thread....

Is there chance of sharing privately?
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#41

Post by hollie3sa »

PTRACER wrote: 3 years ago
hollie3sa wrote: 3 years ago
hollie3sa wrote: 3 years ago
Sedre wrote: 3 years ago What about fatality happened at same race (http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus ... =ct&n=1548)? As Norbert Kürschner is alive and Rainer Schmidt presumably survived this accident:
Sedre wrote: 5 years ago There's certain Rainer Schmidt, who was Ford Escort Cup 1300 GT champion in 1971 (http://www.fomcc.de/motorsport.htm). And also there's Rainer Schmidt who raced in 1975 (http://touringcarracing.net/Races/1975% ... eilen.html) with Escort Mk I. I think we should continue searching information as it could be possible that Schmidt, who was seriously injured in Saarlouis, is same who won Escort Cup or/and same who raced in Hockenheim three years later.
does this mean that another driver actually lost his life in different accident or reports about fatality were incorrect?
I think - I don't know yet - that both drivers survived. And I don't think any other driver was involved. So no fatality.

Will call him soon. You'll hear from me. A couple of days or so.
Managed to acquire a copy of original 1972 TV report from the SR, distributed by rbbmedia. Obviously I can not share the footage due to copyright reasons.

Kürschner drove the yellow #166 Escort (seen in this post). He was the one who crashed into the bridge abutement after contact with another driver (that's what Kürschner told me on the phone). Rainer Schmidt from Hannover, driving a red Ford Escort (#172), couldn't avoid the wreckage. According to Kürschner, Schmidt was hit in the head by debris (more precise: parts of his gearbox) from his accident which went through the windscreen of Schmidt's Escort.
That's awesome after 2 years. This is a very niche area of interest, but considering where you were when you first opened this thread....

Is there chance of sharing privately?
Sadly, no. I won't take a gamble and hope they don't find out about the forum.
I know it's a bit unfair to tease you. But I figured it was worth sharing the information.
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#42

Post by Sedre »

So, it wasn't a fatal accident after all?

(I'm asking to fully confirm this as its Motorsport Memorial page was hidden by another member of our circle).
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#43

Post by hollie3sa »

Sedre wrote: 3 years ago So, it wasn't a fatal accident after all?

(I'm asking to fully confirm this as its Motorsport Memorial page was hidden by another member of our circle).
From all I know: No, it was not.
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#44

Post by PTRACER »

hollie3sa wrote: 3 years ago
PTRACER wrote: 3 years ago
hollie3sa wrote: 3 years ago
hollie3sa wrote: 3 years ago
Sedre wrote: 3 years ago What about fatality happened at same race (http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus ... =ct&n=1548)? As Norbert Kürschner is alive and Rainer Schmidt presumably survived this accident:
Sedre wrote: 5 years ago There's certain Rainer Schmidt, who was Ford Escort Cup 1300 GT champion in 1971 (http://www.fomcc.de/motorsport.htm). And also there's Rainer Schmidt who raced in 1975 (http://touringcarracing.net/Races/1975% ... eilen.html) with Escort Mk I. I think we should continue searching information as it could be possible that Schmidt, who was seriously injured in Saarlouis, is same who won Escort Cup or/and same who raced in Hockenheim three years later.
does this mean that another driver actually lost his life in different accident or reports about fatality were incorrect?
I think - I don't know yet - that both drivers survived. And I don't think any other driver was involved. So no fatality.

Will call him soon. You'll hear from me. A couple of days or so.
Managed to acquire a copy of original 1972 TV report from the SR, distributed by rbbmedia. Obviously I can not share the footage due to copyright reasons.

Kürschner drove the yellow #166 Escort (seen in this post). He was the one who crashed into the bridge abutement after contact with another driver (that's what Kürschner told me on the phone). Rainer Schmidt from Hannover, driving a red Ford Escort (#172), couldn't avoid the wreckage. According to Kürschner, Schmidt was hit in the head by debris (more precise: parts of his gearbox) from his accident which went through the windscreen of Schmidt's Escort.
That's awesome after 2 years. This is a very niche area of interest, but considering where you were when you first opened this thread....

Is there chance of sharing privately?
Sadly, no. I won't take a gamble and hope they don't find out about the forum.
I know it's a bit unfair to tease you. But I figured it was worth sharing the information.
That's a shame, but I understand.
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