Forty-nine years ago, Untimely Passing of Mark Donohue

[WT6066-2600]

Tragedy in Austria: The death of Mark Donohue, an end to Penske's Formula 1 team

https://www.planetf1.com/features/mark-donohue-death-an-end-to-penskes-formula-1-team

[NC TRACKRAT]

From a standpoint of marketing genius and racing talent, CS could be considered the GOAT but, from a standpoint of automotive engineering expertise and racing talent, Donohue was the GOAT! He left an indelible mark that will be difficult to match. Roger Penske could be a close second to both. Differing opinions welcomed.

[98SVT - was 06GT]

1974
In 1973, Donohue had retired from Indy car after the death of his friend, Swede Savage at the Indianapolis 500. He won the 1973 Can-Am championship in a Porsche 917–30, then retired from driving entirely.

In the 1974 season, Donohue was lured out of retirement by his Indy car boss, Roger Penske. He was asked to join the Penske racing team in Formula One for the final two races of the season.

Donohue managed to finish in 12th place in the Canadian Grand Prix, but suffered a suspension failure during the United States Grand Prix which had forced him to retire to the garage on lap 27.

1975
For the 1975 season, Donohue was offered a full position with the Penske racing team. Although Donohue had managed to place 5th in two events, the new Penske chassis had various problems.

Death
While practicing for the Austrian Grand Prix, Donohue suffered a tyre failure that caused him to lose control of the car. His car was sent into the catch fence in the fastest corner of the track, the Voëst-Hugel corner.

A track marshal was killed by debris from the accident. Donohue's head either hit a fence post or the bottom of an advertising billboard frame alongside the track when he crashed. He appeared uninjured from the accident and was able to walk away from the accident.

Later in the day, Donohue began to suffer a headache which gradually worsened. The next day, he was admitted into the hospital in Graz. He then went into a coma from a cerebral hemorrhage and died.

https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/04/09/Settlement-reached-in-Donohue-case/7324513406800/

Sometimes it's cheaper to pay than continue fighting.

Car and Driver article: The suit was brought on by Donohue's widow. Bell Helmets was included in the suit and they paid the Donohue estate $75,000 in an out-of-court settlement. The jury decided that the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company should pay Donohue's widow and two teen-age sons (from prior marriage) $9.6 million in damages. With interest the award amounted to $19,584,000.

Goodyear did bring in Andretti, Lauda, and Gurney to testify. But the judge ruled that Lauda and Andretti were not qualified tire experts and prevented them from telling the jury why they believed the tire failed.

Tire failure invokes a different vision than the assumed fact that the tire had lost pressure and no longer gripped as it should. A cracked wheel or even driver error was not allowed into evidence and you can only appeal on what was in the first trial.

This surfaced a couple years ago - you can see no catastrophic tire failure. I wonder if he would still be alive if the doctors hadn't pronounced him fine and he was instead put in the hospital for observation - as they would do today partially due to this tragedy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4Fh02cErzo

[deathsled]

1974
In 1973, Donohue had retired from Indy car after the death of his friend, Swede Savage at the Indianapolis 500. He won the 1973 Can-Am championship in a Porsche 917–30, then retired from driving entirely.

In the 1974 season, Donohue was lured out of retirement by his Indy car boss, Roger Penske. He was asked to join the Penske racing team in Formula One for the final two races of the season.

Donohue managed to finish in 12th place in the Canadian Grand Prix, but suffered a suspension failure during the United States Grand Prix which had forced him to retire to the garage on lap 27.

1975
For the 1975 season, Donohue was offered a full position with the Penske racing team. Although Donohue had managed to place 5th in two events, the new Penske chassis had various problems.

Death
While practicing for the Austrian Grand Prix, Donohue suffered a tyre failure that caused him to lose control of the car. His car was sent into the catch fence in the fastest corner of the track, the Voëst-Hugel corner.

A track marshal was killed by debris from the accident. Donohue's head either hit a fence post or the bottom of an advertising billboard frame alongside the track when he crashed. He appeared uninjured from the accident and was able to walk away from the accident.

Later in the day, Donohue began to suffer a headache which gradually worsened. The next day, he was admitted into the hospital in Graz. He then went into a coma from a cerebral hemorrhage and died.

https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/04/09/Settlement-reached-in-Donohue-case/7324513406800/

Sometimes it's cheaper to pay than continue fighting.

Car and Driver article: The suit was brought on by Donohue's widow. Bell Helmets was included in the suit and they paid the Donohue estate $75,000 in an out-of-court settlement. The jury decided that the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company should pay Donohue's widow and two teen-age sons (from prior marriage) $9.6 million in damages. With interest the award amounted to $19,584,000.

Goodyear did bring in Andretti, Lauda, and Gurney to testify. But the judge ruled that Lauda and Andretti were not qualified tire experts and prevented them from telling the jury why they believed the tire failed.

Tire failure invokes a different vision than the assumed fact that the tire had lost pressure and no longer gripped as it should. A cracked wheel or even driver error was not allowed into evidence and you can only appeal on what was in the first trial.

This surfaced a couple years ago - you can see no catastrophic tire failure. I wonder if he would still be alive if the doctors hadn't pronounced him fine and he was instead put in the hospital for observation - as they would do today partially due to this tragedy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4Fh02cErzo

Typically in a medical malpractice action the standard that a medical professional is held to is the community standard where they practice.  If there happened to be higher tech available in Los Angeles in comparison to the area in Austria where he crashed, it would be inadmissible to have an expert testify as to the standard of care for a Los Angeles doctor compared to an Austrian doctor in the area or community where Mr. Donohue was treated.

[98SVT - was 06GT]

Typically in a medical malpractice action the standard that a medical professional is held to is the community standard where they practice.  If there happened to be higher tech available in Los Angeles in comparison to the area in Austria where he crashed, it would be inadmissible to have an expert testify as to the standard of care for a Los Angeles doctor compared to an Austrian doctor in the area or community where Mr. Donohue was treated.

They never brought up a lack of treatment. He was walking and talking fine so he was released. A few hours later a headache set in and he eventually was rushed back to the hospital. Today F1 takes their own emergency room and doctors to every track.

[deathsled]

Typically in a medical malpractice action the standard that a medical professional is held to is the community standard where they practice.  If there happened to be higher tech available in Los Angeles in comparison to the area in Austria where he crashed, it would be inadmissible to have an expert testify as to the standard of care for a Los Angeles doctor compared to an Austrian doctor in the area or community where Mr. Donohue was treated.

They never brought up a lack of treatment. He was walking and talking fine so he was released. A few hours later a headache set in and he eventually was rushed back to the hospital. Today F1 takes their own emergency room and doctors to every track.

Failure to diagnose then.  But we have to look at and measure the technology available within that community at the time to make a proper diagnosis if that was even possible back then.  No MRIs existed and so on.