Helmuth Koinigg

Helmut Koinigg (November 3, 1948 - October 6, 1974) was a highly-regarded young racing driver who died in a crash in the U.S. Grand Prix at Watkins Glen, only the Austrian's second Grand Prix start. Approaching the braking zone for the corner known as the Toe, a suspension failure on the Surtees car sent the vehicle crashing head-on into the outer armco. The speed at which Koinigg crashed was relatively minor, and he ought to have escaped the scene uninjured. Unfortunately, as with a number of other circuits at that time, the armco barrier was insecurely installed and buckled as the vehicle struck it, killing the luckless driver instantly.