The Masta malediction

The famous Masta downhill (called this way, because it’s the road that connects the villages of MALmédy and STAvelot), represented the most perilous portion of the old 14 km Spa-Francorchamps circuit. In 1966, a sudden down-pour of torrential rain took many competitors by surprise when they approached the Masta “S” on the first lap of the race, causing many cars to slid off the track.

The most delicate one concerned Jackie Stewart, whose BRM suffered aquaplaning at the entrance of the corner (picture above), and somersaulted backwards into the ditch. He remained stuck during very long minutes in his stricken and damaged race car which fuel thank had been torn and the risk of fire was very real.

He was finally evacuated to the hospital where his wife Helen joined him (picture below). The Scot then started a real crusade to improve safety on the circuits, which meant the condemnation of the most dangerous circuits, amongst them, the great Spa.`