Iconic Corners: Masta Kink old Spa-Francorchamps

Iconic Corners: Masta Kink old Spa-Francorchamps

In this episode of Iconic Corners, part of our Circuits of the Past series, we dive deep into one of the most legendary and feared corners in motorsport history: the Masta Kink at the old Spa-Francorchamps street circuit. While Spa is often associated with the steep and confusingly named Eau Rouge/Raidillon section, today we focus on the Masta Kink, a high-speed left-right bend that struck fear into the hearts of drivers and demanded absolute precision and courage.

The Masta Kink was located at the end of the Masta Straight, a 2-kilometer stretch that allowed cars to reach breakneck speeds before hitting the tricky left-right combination. Drivers of the late 1960s Formula 1 era would approach this corner at around 300 kilometers per hour (185 mph). With no room for error, the exit from the Kink had to be perfect to ensure maximum speed down the following Hollowell Straight. Some drivers claimed they could take the Masta Kink without lifting off the throttle—a bold statement that remains shrouded in mystery, as telemetry didn’t exist back then to verify their claims. Whether it was true or mere bravado, one thing is certain: the Masta Kink was a defining test of skill and bravery.

But how did such a notorious corner come to be on a public road circuit? The Masta Kink wasn’t a planned challenge; it may have been a result of the road bending to avoid a farmhouse or simply followed the natural contours of the landscape. Regardless of how it formed, this combination of high-speed corners quickly became one of the most iconic bends in motorsport.

However, the Masta Kink was not just a place of thrilling heroics; it also witnessed its share of tragedy. Belgian driver Léon Dernier lost his life in a fatal crash here during the 1969 24 Hours of Spa, a grim reminder of the dangers associated with this section of the track. The Masta Kink's treacherous reputation only grew after the 1966 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix, where a massive shunt in heavy rain on the first lap saw 10 cars crash at this very spot. Miraculously, all drivers survived, but not without injuries. Among them was Sir Jackie Stewart, who was trapped in his wrecked car until fellow driver Bob Bondurant freed him. Stewart sustained broken ribs and a dislocated shoulder, but the crash had a profound effect on him. It ignited his crusade for greater safety in Formula 1, leading to monumental changes in the sport.

The old Spa-Francorchamps circuit, while beloved by fans and drivers alike, became the target of growing safety concerns by the late 1960s. The long, fast, and narrow layout, combined with its street circuit nature, was simply too dangerous for modern racing. As a result, the Belgian Grand Prix left the old circuit after the 1970 race, and Formula 1 moved to Zolder and Nivelles. The Masta Kink, once the ultimate test of bravery, was now too risky for top-level motorsport.

Despite Formula 1's departure, Spa continued to host other racing series. For the 1975 1000km of Spa-Francorchamps sports car race, a chicane was planned to slow down the infamous Masta Kink. However, after some initial testing, the new chicane was found to be even more dangerous than the original Kink, and the idea was scrapped. The Masta Chicane was never used in its intended role and remains an oddity—a monument to the challenges of taming such a wild circuit.

Today, the Masta Kink is part of a public road, still driveable by anyone visiting the region. It’s a haunting reminder of the raw danger that early motorsport drivers faced and the bravery it took to race at such speeds on public roads. Though the modern Spa-Francorchamps circuit, which opened in 1979, cut off this section, the legacy of the Masta Kink lives on in the memories of those who raced it—and in the imaginations of motorsport fans everywhere.

If you enjoy content about the racing circuits of the past, be sure to subscribe to our channel for more episodes on iconic motorsport corners. Hit the notification bell so you don’t miss any updates! You can also visit our website, circuitsofthepast.com, where you can find a free eBook on seven abandoned race tracks that you can still visit legally. Thanks for watching, and we’ll see you in the next video!

#spafrancorchamps #mastakink #belgiangp

Тэги:

#iconic_corners #masta_kink #masta_kink_from_the_old_spa_circuit #spa_francorchamps_masta_kink #circuits_of_the_past #circuit_de_spa-francorchamps #old_spa_francorchamps_circuit #spa-francorchamps_old_circuit #iconic_corners_motorsport #masta_straight_spa #formula_1_old_spa-francorchamps #historic_motorsport_corners #masta_kink_crashes #jackie_stewart_spa_crash #spa_masta_chicane #masta_kink_formula_1_crashes #spa-francorchamps_legendary_corners #1966_belgian_grand_prix_crash

Скачать видео