Kidnappings and Crashes - The Strange Tale Of The 1958 Havana Grand Prix

A tropical island run by a corrupt military dictator holds a glamorous motoring event, but with armed revolutionaries on the doorstep and playboy amateurs taking part, this Grand Prix would be remembered for all the wrong reasons.....
Newsreel • Disaster At Cuban Gran...
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Although focused primarily on disasters, this channel is all about the interesting, the strange, the unsolved, the tragic. Our world has a varied history full of terrible tragedies, bizarre tales, unexplained events, and extravagant people. I hope you enjoy some of the fascinating stories we have here.
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[@alexgiangreco3754]

The fact that this was just 3 years after the Le Mans disaster and they didn't put barriers up just blows my mind.

[@foxwolf316]

that's the same incident than the 1961 monza race when points leader german driver Wolfgang von Trips caused a crash on lap 2 spun and went up a small hill hitting spectators and he died, while phil hill won the race and got the points lead, only a month later he already locked up the champion so he didn't race at watkins glen, but still that was another incdent of what safety was back than, and believe me, racing fans are still in danger to this day.

[@ianisaacs2340]

Imagine getting kidnapped and it being a pleasant and luxurious experience.

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

Through much of the middle ages, and even well into the Renaissance, that was largely the whole general idea. Those who were worth kidnapping in the first place were either nobles themselves, or aristocrats related to nobles. Part of the tradition among nobles was to have each other's family members "as guests" on a semi-permanent basis, and so long as someone's sister, wife, or daughters were at another's palace, there was practically a guarantee of peace... AND the aristocratic off-shoots were reasonable to be traded for various sums and favors... Obviously, there were exceptions to the general rules of treating the kidnapped victims well, but it was usually a retaliatory effect while they were in custody OR as a result of something that even led to the kidnapping in the first place... Money used to be 100% precious metals and gems, and many people subsisted on barter to get things they couldn't grow or make on their own, so only really upper class merchants, nobles, and aristocrats could even liberate enough money to be worth the risk... and you sure as hell didn't want to get the entire network of nobility convinced you were a violent loose cannon... Keep in mind, during this whole time, Nobility could be passed through generations "By the sword or by the cloth"... Meaning either any commoner COULD slaughter out an entire house of nobles and TAKE that title and the titular lands, OR the church could back such a man upon a noble's passing... It wasn't the norm' to coronate outside the family line, but the church certainly had the power to do so, the same as excommunication being considered a "serious threat". ;o)

[@curbyourshi1056]

Indeed. They didn't want to harm him, they respected him and listened to him because of the respect.

[@lambtonold-schoolminibiker4552]

So nice he kept going back to visit them.

[@lucianacordeiro2885]

I think my brain would immidiatly bluescreen

[@DinoCism]

Just shows you the kind of stand up people Fidel's men were. Batista being overthrown was one of the few underdog victories in all of history and the US is still buttsore about it to this day.

[@jackmonaghan8477]

The name of the driver who led the race and was eventually overtaken by Moss was Masten Gregory for those wondering. Also the driver who overtook Fangio's record in 2003 was one Michael Schumacher (with Lewis Hamilton doing the same feat in 2019).

[@XXSkunkWorksXX]

.... followed by Max Verstappen in 2028 on eight titles .. ;)

[@aydankhaliq2967]

Maston Gregory also won the 1965 24hr of Le Mans with 1970 F1 WDC, Jochen Rindt.

[@klayed]

@@XXSkunkWorksXX mijn gedachten

[@user-wm3bf7pi3u]

@@aydankhaliq2967 The golden age.... no barriers and the chance of being smeared like peanut butter was not insignificant.

[@stevenmacdonald9619]

I'm amongst too many that have followed Formula One for too many years to remember, but have never heard this piece of history even mentioned. We live and learn. Thank you, Raven's Eye, you have once again educated many with your incredible skills of research, and straight forward delivery. I'm yet to watch a single video of yours that measures on a scale other than fascinating.

[@maxmulsanne7054]

I only stumbled upon this as a kid in the late 1970s, only because I bought a book about the F1 champions from 1950 - 1974. Never heard anything about it again until this video popped up.

[@user-wm3bf7pi3u]

The golden age when the best seats were at the outer apex of the fastest turn......💥🏎

[@keliciaigbinazaka4538]

Another amazing video Raven, I’ve never heard of this event, only the tragedy of Le Mans. I feel really sorry for the driver charged with manslaughter whilst he was still in intensive care. That was pretty harsh for what was ultimately a tragic accident. Also I love how you gave us a little insight into the other drivers lives too

[@foxwolf316]

wait a minute why was armando sifuentes charge for man slaughter? it wasn't his fault that he killed people he wasn't a killer i thought people that were charge for man slaughter, were psychos, massacres, or people that weren't doing there job, and making dumb decisions in life threatening things to innocent civilians, like opperating a ship or a train derailed of the Lac megantic? besides it's 1958 people back than didn't know what safety was, even 3 years after the le mans crash, and the car that was leaking oil that day were the ones that were involved with this incident.

[@iamrichrocker]

Moss was a class act, splitting the winnings with Gregory is a prime example..these drivers were rock stars, as they are today, but with far less safety features in these beautifully sculpted cars..worth millions today, if you could find one..

[@annegrey3780]

when a military dictatorship and a kidnapping of a world renowned sportsman is just the intro you know it's going to be a memorable video.

[@billsmith5166]

Fangio was an amazing guy. One of the greatest drivers of all time. He'd be in my top three, and they're all pretty much tied.

[@maxmulsanne7054]

Tough bastard he was steering those fast contraptions around the circuits. Fangio was in his 40s when he duked it out with Hawthorne at Reims (1953) and while giving chase to the Ferraris at the 'Ring (1957).

[@resdupbug]

Wow, just wow. What an amazing video, but all your work is fantastic so not surprised. This story reminded me of my childhood fascination with car racing, I grew up in Ecuador, and they have this racing track named “yaguarcocha”, literally translates into “lake of blood”. It absolutely lived up to the name, extremely fast cars, no barriers for the spectators and a general disregard for safety killed a lot of people over the years. I was unfortunate enough to see a couple of them happen right in front of me, so traumatic that just remembering is making me sick. As interesting research, in the early 70,s there was a 12 hour race in Yaguarcocha, amazing race with a generous helping of tragedy and dark shit. Thank you for the quality of your work

[@jacekatalakis8316]

You could do so many from the 50s or 60s in motorsport really EDIT: Okay to add clarity, in the 50s and even up to the 60s there was a prevailin idea to not wear seatbelts in case the car caught fire, it was beleived better to be ejected than to be trappe and die in a fire and given the cars of the time, you can see why that was the idea. 110 mph in a 1950s era F1 car terrifies me because of the technology of the day. No power steering. No good brakes, no seat belts, no fireproof overalls, barely a helmet to protect a driver, angio and Gonzalez were seen driving at the time in cotton shirts, bare armed and wrestling the cars around the circuits. If you want a look at how the cars and tracks were, watch the 1966 movie Grand Prix. That gives a general feel for how the tracks were, Monaco in 1966 is very similar to how Havana was described in 1958

[@jacekatalakis8316]

This also sounds so very similar to the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix as well, with again, spectators being killed and extremely similar reports from that race as well. To ad to my edit from my last comment, there was at least in F1 at that time, of drivers who had been in the war, and racing was seen as this daredevil sport. These men had survived WWII, how dangerous could racing be, the cars were slower than a plane, and nobody was trying to kill you.... was the attitude in some quarters. Then you had the nationalistic ideas too, this was before F1 went commercial. Italians raced for Ferrari, Vanwall, Lotus hired British drivers, there was a lot of national pride. Actually, de Portago would be a good candidate for an episode given how similar his death was to this one, only a lot faster and arguably, more gruesome, it killed the Mille Miglia

[@stevetournay6103]

Man does this ever want to be a movie...I had heard about the Fangio kidnapping and the race before, but not with so much detail. Well done.

[@stuartf2946]

Very well put together as usual Mr Raven, really enjoyed it. Coffee is on it's way, which is well deserved.

[@theravenseye9443]

Many many thanks. Very much appreciated!

[@purcascade]

Well, the driver who rushed ahead at the very end after the race was called in order to win is just the worst kind of human.

[@stinkletoes8285]

It's that kind of an attitude that made him a winner in what he did..it was in his blood...one of the best racecar drivers in history!..hardly a bad human..LOL!

[@didymos32]

very entertaining and informative! never knew cuba had such a event in its past. thank you for making this 🙏🏼

[@theravenseye9443]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mauricedavis2160]

One again Sir, you have produced an excellent episode of a part of history I was completely unaware of, kudo's Raven's Eye!!!🙏👍🦉❣️

[@theravenseye9443]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@XXSkunkWorksXX]

Superb reportage as I've come to expect and very much look forward to, thanks.

[@charlietonin6936]

Keep dropping these mini history lessons

[@debbieellett9093]

I hadn't heard of this event either. Very sad, but very well presented. Thanks Raven for always presenting awesome content👏👏👏👏

[@theravenseye9443]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@generalhorse493]

All this is way more sickening when you remember that all these same mistakes had been made at the Le Mans crash of 1955, which Fangio and Moss had both been a part of

[@jesusbeloved3953]

This is a new one for me, Raven. As always a stellar job on your video!

[@elliottprice6084]

Never heard of this one before. There was rather a lot of corruption in Havana back then. Brilliant as always. The infamous crash of Le Mans would be a video I'd like to see featured too

[@MichaelD8393]

Me neither, and as a racing enthusiast, I feel I should’ve known about it long ago.

[@mauricedavis2160]

Same here, never heard of this one either!!!🙏🤔❣️

[@toserveman9265]

Jewish/Italian Mafia and their criminal organization

[@conzmoleman]

Batista is one of the great monsters of the 20th century. Viva Fidel, Viva La Revolucion

[@antorseax9492]

There are so many videos on Le Mans...

[@curbyourshi1056]

Fangio is an absolute legend. I didn't know how much so until now. Amazing Man.

[@pauloalvesdesouza7911]

A curious and sad moment when politics and motor racing crossed paths, and another great video by The Raven.

[@user-uu5mu1fs6d]

I am hooked on your videos. So well done.

[@alexanderdukeler3948]

As always, an outstanding video from The Raven’s Eye! Raven, you come up with great ideas from historical events and tragedies, and create superb videos to tell the stories. I eagerly await each new video you make. Keep up the great work!

[@theravenseye9443]

Thanks - the positive comments are appreciated!

[@joshkeitz2990]

This is one of the last "creepy history story" channels i havent blocked from my reccomendeds for replaying content or their sole value being the hosts pretty face, keep up not dissapointing ✌️

[@roadweary5252]

Quality stuff as always, my friend!

[@theravenseye9443]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@donaldlyons537]

Awesome video! Great bit history I'd never heard of. Thanks for your great research and work!!! Love your channel...

[@thejudgmentalcat]

I'd never heard of this, only the LeMans disaster. Good video 👍

[@Northern.Town.]

So very interesting! Thank you!

[@irishmike71]

Thank you! I hadn't heard this story before.

[@MARKETMAN6789]

Very interesting video thanks

[@ostrich67]

I saw Fangio drive at the Monterey Historic Races. They had all the cars that he won his championships in, including the Mercedes W196 in which he won the championship in 1955. He was driving that behind a Mercedes 500SL pace car driven by Danny Sullivan in what was supposed to be a slow parade lap, but he kept tailgating the pace car forcing it to go faster and faster until Sullivan spun it, and Fangio stepped on the gas and hot-lapped the Laguna Seca track at speed. He was about 80 years old at the time. Later I got his autograph on an event poster with Froilan Gonzalez, which I still have.

[@NucleaRaptor]

Bloody legend.

[@tabbitee]

I mean... Personally, I wouldn't want to be remembered as the driver who snuck a win in that particular race, but then again, I'm no sportsperson

[@Trumpetjoe40]

Outstanding episode, as they all are Raven!

[@theravenseye9443]

Thanks!

[@stuartmiller7419]

Very well told.

[@scottlewisparsons9551]

Wow! Thanks for another great video. The 1950s was not a particularly safe decade. Maybe because following the ww2 carnage disasters like this were no big deal? All the best from Sydney Australia 🇦🇺

[@DinoCism]

It's completely incomprehensible to me how the moral imperative of the Cuban Revolution isn't completely obvious to everyone.

[@Grombrindal]

So you're telling me that there were rich men and beautiful women at an auto race? It truly was a different era.

[@jamessicard6682]

You guys been to Cuba? Wonderful place to visit. "the smell of revolution is in the air" perfectly describes the place. Bermuda smells like flowers, Jamaica smells like weed, and Cuba definitely smells like revolution!

[@theravenseye9443]

My wife has always wanted to visit Cuba, so yeah, one day definitely would like to go. "Jamaica smells like weed" .. LOL

[@genericsomething]

There's a certain Donald Fagen song that runs through my head when I think of '50s Havana. "Now the Americans are gone except for two The embassy's been hard to reach"

[@lincolnmasonhughes7452]

Many hard-core F1 fans, predominantly the older ones, still class Juan Manuel Fangio as the best there's ever been in a Formula One car. I'm sure he won the F1 World championship in his early fifties, I'm also sure many will correct me if I'm wrong! 🤷‍♂️😊

[@DorkieShorty]

As an F1 fan, i heard about this vaguely but never rly looked into it, so thanks for this info ^^

[@htos1av]

This was a great video! Everyone wants to dance around the subject and so on. This one is why I've been a sub since there was maybe 20. And I love racing as my Dad raced at this same time, and I'll just leave it at that.

[@thelogicaldanger]

Never heard about any of this. Crazy (and dangerous!) times.

[@MakerInMotion]

If I were to watch a Grand Prix, it would be with binoculars from the tallest building around.

[@iwaswrongabouteveryhthing]

getting up to 100k subs, keep going mate

[@southron_d1349]

I had a look at the British Pathé film. The shots of the vehicles speeding past all those spectators were horrifying in their own right.

[@jtgd]

3:56 I’ve never heard of them until this video

[@rayisland23]

Amazing history did not know this

[@lololandify]

Wow what a story! 😮

[@theravenseye9443]

Thanks!

[@elmin82]

Good video

[@theravenseye9443]

Thanks

[@lifesahobby]

Cheers

[@joshuamachnik1039]

Another deadly racing disaster was the infamous Le Mans of 1955 if you're willing to do a video about that

[@arricammarques1955]

In addition to the 356 models a few 718 RSKs & 550 Spyders found their way into the largest island in the Antilles. However no more than 30 Porsches were in Cuba. During the years of the final races Batista's luxurious lifestyle also crashed as rapidly.

[@smedleybutler8787]

Fangio is the best of all time in my opinion.

[@dantheman5745]

Saw this pop up earlier. Been looking forward to watching it all day. Another masterful mini-doc. Just curious what the inspiration was for your "The Raven's Eye" ID, if you ever have time or the inclination to divulge that?

[@theravenseye9443]

I think it was just because I liked the sound of it, if I remember correctly...

[@dantheman5745]

@@theravenseye9443 Gotcha. I've always heard that the difference between crows and ravens is that, audibly, crows "caw" and ravens "rock"...and I'm inclined to believe that, because your videos definitely rock. Thanks for all the work you put into these.

[@Bdhstl95]

When you say ‘Bastista’ especially, you sound like Sean Connery. 😊

[@thislittlelightofmine8776]

I would love to see this turned into a big budget blockbuster!

[@maxhugen]

The date of *Feb 24* on that poster at 1:00 really jumped out at me!!! 😬 🇺🇦🇺🇦 Slava Ukraine 💪

[@denispol79]

Thanks, I heard about this story before, but never had the details. PS, As a combat medic, just watched the crash video. The official death toll report seems to be right. It always seems more horrific then it is for those who have no experience in such things.

[@Norfnorf12]

Mr. Arthur Schleinzinger’s words about Cuba’s then government sound very familiar about our country.

[@seanbutnotasheeple2090]

Chilling with villians, and my mates.

[@RedmondBarryII]

Heard this mentioned on a vid about Pagani (by the Squidd) for the first time, he called the greatest f1 driver Fangio one of the most unlucky drivers of all time.

[@Jawst]

I've never heard of a hold back before 🤔

[@Youcanttouchmyhandle]

Thank 🫵🏼The Raven’s Eye

[@theravenseye9443]

You are welcome!

[@Youcanttouchmyhandle]

@@theravenseye9443 Good Morning Under international Emergency Laws Individuals can grow whatever they need for survival. Tax free 🌏💚🕊️

[@Bradly197]

Got my money. I should have done this a long time ago but have not had the means. As always, thank you.

[@theravenseye9443]

Thanks mate! Appreciated!

[@LethalJizzle]

"Driving fast on the track does not scare me. What scares me is when I drive on the highway I get passed by some idiot who thinks he is Juan Manuel Fangio" - Juan Manuel Fangio

[@REALDEALMMA91]

You sound exactly like Trap Lore Ross lol … must be from the same area in England

[@jonhelmer8591]

No, this man is the reincarnation of Hovis Presley.

[@Dilley_G45]

Alphonso de Portago was by no means an amateur driver.

[@johnoneill5661]

It seems like absolute madness now that people were allowed to stand on the pavement right next to cars travelling at 160mph and not even a bale of hay between them.

[@wobblybobengland]

Alfonso de Portago died in 1957

[@SotonSam]

Not into motorsport???? Canadian GP today mate, get into it

[@bettycocker2226]

wheres the link?

[@jonzilla1]

❤

[@asd36f]

De Portago’s fatal crash during the 1957 Mille Miglia is featured in the 2023 film ‘Ferrari’

[@ManMountainMetals]

Newsreel says 6 dead 34 injured, and the crash happens 30 minutes into the 🏁 race.

[@LiveFreeOrDie2A]

Damn, Batista’s Cuba looked like a good time.. Castro’s a fucking buzzkill

[@stinkletoes8285]

Manslaughter ..WTF!...It was a car race...what often happens in car races?..Crashes!...if anyone should have been held accountable it would be race event coordinators.

[@theravenseye9443]

I'm guessing that the Batista regime were looking for a scapegoat.... and old Armando fit the bill.

[@johnrobinson5156]

Cuba of 1958 seems like Hollywood of 2023

[@Captain_hadley_49]

Hey raven I have a another idea have you done the hungerford massacre

[@joaom2057]

You Should make a doc about the 1967 Lourenço Marques GP. There is little information about the event. It was marqued by a racing accident that took the lives of more than 7 spectators. My father was one of the survivors. He was struck in the head by a whell of a Brabham drived by a guy named Luki Botha. 5 days in coma. back then security was nothing and there was the war to.

[@theravenseye9443]

Mozambique, right?

[@joaom2057]

@@theravenseye9443 Yes. Now is Maputo

[@alinapopescu872]

Cuba is a Spanish-speaking country, no need to force a Portuguese pronunciation on names such as Batista or Fuentes. 🙂

[@keithdavison2960]

Watching the news reel I would be surprised if it was as low as 6 deaths

[@randylahey1232]

👍

[@rolfsinkgraven]

A unsafe track, a unsafe car and a unsafe country, i wonder why it went wrong...........

[@itsjohndell]

I knew it was you all along, Fredo....

[@AvrilAlvarez]

Glad you mentioned how bad Bautista was. Everyone seems downplays him or supports him because of Castro

[@jaymichaels5187]

To be fair and clear, 4:27 Alphonso de Portago was not at the 1958 Cuban Grand Prix, as he was killed in a motor race in Italy in May 1957.

[@theravenseye9443]

Correct - but Portago was at the 57 GP. I used a bit of "artistic license" to add him into the overall story of the Cuban races as I felt he epitomized the type of glamorous racer of the era.

[@specialed6357]

6:41 the world champion doesn't look like a kid, kinda looks old to me.

[@leongt1954]

When you say GP you mean Sportscar GP and nothing to do with F!

[@coleh591]

My friends grandma has castros old Porsche only the heart Porsche has at the museum she has the rest of the whole car lol

[@cynthiatolman326]

This could be my image of hell on Earth.

[@patrickhamos2987]

why did they knap him? and for one day? i watched twice but still missed it

[@eadweard.]

Essentially a publicity stunt.

[@macaylacayton2915]

Everything went wrong partly when Castro kidnapped Fangio and partly went wrong when the race started, both played parts in this bizarre story.

[@andredeketeleastutecomplex]

Viva la revolucion!

[@talpark8796]

Havana in the 50's sounds like quite the party. Sigh...I wish that I could have experienced it all. 😁

[@motorTranz]

May God comfort the families of those who perished. My sincerest condolences.

[@foxwolf316]

wait a minute why was armando sifuentes charge for man slaughter? it wasn't his fault that he killed people he wasn't a killer i thought people that were charge for man slaughter, were psychos, or people that weren't doing there job, and making dumb decisions in life threatening things to innocent civilians? besides it's 1958 people back than didn't know what safety 3 years was back than even after the le mans crash, and the car that was leaking oil that day were the ones that were involved with this incident.