The 1972 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, a significant round in the European Touring Car Championship, is remembered not only for the thrilling race but also for a tragic incident that cast a shadow over the event. Held on July 22nd and 23rd, this edition of the Spa 24 saw a fatal accident involving a race marshal, Léon Grisard.

Midway through the grueling endurance race, around 5:13 AM on Sunday, the Mazda Savanna RX-3 #64, driven by Swiss racer Walter Brun, was competing in Division 2. Brun, along with co-driver Joe Kretschi, had positioned their Mazda within the top six of their division, chasing closely behind factory-backed Ford Escort RS 1600s and Alfa Romeo 2000 GTVs.

Tragedy struck at the infamous Masta Kink section of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Walter Brun’s Mazda, for reasons still debated, lost control at this high-speed corner. The car careened off track and fatally struck Léon Grisard, a race marshal who was positioned trackside. Grisard was attending to the aftermath of a previous incident, where another car had deposited oil on the asphalt, creating a hazardous condition. He was standing with his back to the oncoming traffic when Brun’s Mazda impacted him with fatal force. Walter Brun himself miraculously escaped the horrific crash without injury.

The conditions at the time of the accident were challenging. A dense fog bank had descended upon the Spa circuit, significantly reducing visibility. It is believed that Brun, closely following another competitor through the fog, had severely limited sight of the track ahead. This poor visibility likely prevented him from seeing Marshal Grisard in time to react and avoid the collision.

Despite the tragic loss of life, the Spa 24 race was not halted. In a display of endurance and speed, the Ford Capri RS 2600, driven by the formidable pairing of Hans-Joachim Stuck and Jochen Mass, ultimately claimed victory. Another Mazda Savanna RX-3, car #65 from the same Mazda Swiss Racing team, driven by Florian Vetsch and Peter Mattli, continued in the race, finishing seventh in their class and 25th overall, a bittersweet result in light of the earlier events.

The 1972 Spa 24 Hours remains a stark reminder of the inherent dangers of motorsport, even as it showcases the skill and resilience of drivers and teams. The memory of Léon Grisard and the events at the Masta Kink serve as a poignant chapter in the history of the Spa 24.