Ben Hur Chariot Race #6

The first wreck was to take place at the end of the spina, the spot where charioteers could skid their chariots dangerously close to the curb to gain a slight advantage. I had special-effects man Bob McDonald set in a short, one wheel ramp at the off corner of the turn so that a driver, when hugging the turn, would hit this ramp with this inside wheel, and flip his chariot upside down. We also had a swivel connecting the gooseneck tongue to the chariot. This allowed the chariot to turn over and over without tangling the team and harness, so the horses would drag the wrecked chariot away, rolling and bouncing – a nice effect.