Riding Mechanics: Motorsport's Most DANGEROUS Profession

Deadly Passions, Terrible Joys

May 28, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 10

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Episode description

We all know motorsport is dangerous, but for many years, one profession was more dangerous than the rest: Riding mechanics. These men were effectively passengers tasked with making repairs on the fly, keeping an eye on traffic, and even feeding the drivers. Unfortunately, riding mechanics had very little protection, making them especially prone to brutal injuries and deaths in big events like the Indianapolis 500. This is the history of that short-lived — and often fatal — role.

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Episode Bibliography:

The Last Lap: The Mysterious Demise of Pete Kreis at the Indy 500 by William Walker

Blood and Smoke: A True Tale of Mystery, Mayhem, and the Birth of the Indianapolis 500 by Charles Leerhsen

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