Eje Elgh, Suzuka Formula 2, early/mid 80's

[Cheeveer]

During the Formula 1 Classics broadcasts, Eje Elgh likes to tell old stories from his racing career.

During the latest episode, he told a story about a huge pile up on the spot where now the chicane is at at Suzuka. It was in the rain, during a Formula 2 race, where he piled into Johnny Cecotto at the end of the first lap and the caused a chain reaction which took out many cars. He didn't say which year, and since he spent most of the 80's in Japan it could well be any year. Can't find a match on my own.

After that wreck, the chicane was installed according to him, so it could have been quite an event.

[Cheeveer]

http://www.formula2.net/F282_19.htm ?

Looks to have been a mass retirement scenario, Cecotto and Elgh was in the race, but Elgh was classified. Not on the first lap either, but I wouldn't blame Elgh for having a dodgy memory. The chicane was installed 82/83 sometime.

[PTRACER]

The chicane was put in during the early-80s IIRC. The 1982 F2 Japanese GP race was INCREDIBLY wet, but I don't think it could have been that one.

[Cheeveer]

The chicane was put in during the early-80s IIRC. The 1982 F2 Japanese GP race was INCREDIBLY wet, but I don't think it could have been that one.

Why not?

The chicane was installed before the 1983 season.

[PTRACER]

Mostly because he finished the race.

[Cheeveer]

Yes, that makes sense. However, he might have just damaged his nose cone and continued (explains why he was a lap down at the finish).

I will have to search for some footage of this.

[Dave]

I think this isn't the wreck, but it is from the race you mentioned.


EDIT: It may contain the tail end of the wreck you wanted.

[Cheeveer]

Ah, nice. Thanks.

Hard to say if that was what Eje was thinking of, but may very well be the accident that "caused" the chicane. And I guess that is the point of this thread, to locate that wreck.