I was a close as a paying customer could be when Clay Regazzoni crashed at Long Beach ending his career. I will forever remember the absolute silence from the fans in the adjacent grandstands. I swear there was complete silence from thousands of people for what had to be a full minute. Everyone, and I mean everyone, was sure they had witnessed a death. There were no announcements for the rest of the race concerning his fate and I had to wait hours to hear on the radio that he had survived. Many people simply left, I heard a few crying and all were shocked and subdued for the rest of the race. Absolute sadness fell over us all in a instant.
When the winning driver toured the track in the back of a pick up as is often done there were none of the usual cheers. All had there heads down.
When Gilles was killed I didn't watch TV for a week. I just couldn't bear see a replay. I have never seen that crash to this day. I pray I never do.
I guess what I am trying to say is real race fans don't go to the track to see this sort of thing. People who love this sport sit there lap after lap always silently praying for the drivers they admire. To win the race in which no one gets hurt.
God bless these men who have the courage to chase their dreams. So few of us do.