Six Things From One Fireball Photograph
In this era it was very common for crew and spectators to listen to the radio broadcast of the race while watching the race
by shrimp burns
Monday, November 13, 2023
March 1973: After the Daytona 200 fireball collision, Mark Brelsford's damaged Harley-Davidson reveals the aftermath. Notable details include ripped exhaust pipes, a mechanic with a transistor radio, a battleship-like frame brace, dirt-packed mufflers spewing grass, plaid slacks, and one determined mom. (Image by Al Ivins)
March 1973: Harley-Davidson racer Mark Brelsford collided with a slower rider in the Daytona 200 which resulted in a giant fireball crash. A poster made of the crash photo adorned just about every motorcycle shop wall in the 1970s.
Here are six details from a photograph of the machine taken when it returned to the pits. Photo by Al Ivins.
1. While it looks like the carbs have been ripped from the engine it's actually the exhaust ports which are visible. The impact simultaneously tore the exhaust from Brelsford's bike and split the gas tank, causing the inferno.
2. The mechanic's gigantic transistor radio in hand. In this era it was very common for crew and spectators to listen to the radio broadcast of the race while watching the race.
3. The giant "battleship" frame/ engine brace.
4. The mufflers packed with dirt and grass from the violent crash.
5. The plaid slacks on the man behind the bike.
6. The woman, said to be Brelsford's mom, pushing the bike while juggling her large purse under her arm.
A D V E R T I S M E N T
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