‘To achieve anything in this game, you must be prepared to dabble in the boundary of disaster’ – Stirling Moss.
Count Wolfgang Graf Berghe von Trips was an aristocrat. He was a tall blond German who loved fast cars and life. He was familiarly known as Taffy.
Wolfgang Alexander Albert Eduard Maximilian Reichsgraf Berghe von Trips was born into a privileged life on May 4, 1928.
Like a number of aristocrats of that period, they were keen athletes; Taffy represented Germany in the equestrian team of the Olympic Games.
In addition to his success in the world of equestrianism, he was a very competitive motor racing driver.
Count Wolfgang won the Dutch and British Grand Prix at Aintree in torrential rain.
In the 1966 Monza Grand Prix, whilst leading the World Championship, a third place would have been sufficient for the title for Ferrari, von Trips; entering the Parabolica on lap 2, Jim Clark moved to overtake von Trips.
The two cars touched at 140 mph; Jim Clark’s car stopped, barely damaged, whilst von Trip’s car careered into the spectators.
Fifteen spectators died, as did Count Wolfgang.
What is also shocking is that back then, the injured and the dead were carried across the circuit, and the race carried on.
The American Phil Hill won and received his laurels without knowing the horror unfolding.
Count Wolfgang is commemorated when the Wolfgang von Trips Memorial Trophy is presented to the winner of the German Grand Prix.
A monument stands at the site of the tragic accident in commemoration of Count Wolfgang von Trips and the spectators who died.
