What /were/ they thinking ?!

[fatbloke]

I've just been watching an old report film of motor racing in Britain in the 60's and I was amazed at the state of the circuits back then. I've always known, of course, that the circuits were not as safe as they are nowadays but what I saw, frankly, scared the pants off me

Brands Hatch and Oulton Park were shown, both with steep banks, ditches and trees right alongside the track - and they argued against change ?! Holy cow! It's no wonder people were killed regularly. And so much for 'gentlemanly driving' - a lot of the driving standards appeared to be no better than the BTCC

The question begs to be asked though, how did they get away with it ? Surely the circuit owners should have been up on a charge of manslaughter or something knowing these dangers were there and refusing point blank to rectify the problems.