Former TWR Jaguar, Bathurst 1,000 winner, Le Mans driver Win Percy who suffered a back injury in his garden at home one week after winning the British GP supporting Historic sports car race in a D-Type Jaguar has been advised by his doctors that he is now permanently paralysed from the waist down. He is still in rehabilitation - greatly encouraged by frequent phone calls and advice from Sir Frank Williams - and is determined to return to driving with a hand-controlled car.
Horrible news as far as his many friends and fans worldwide are concerned - but his new life has started here, as he told me this morning... Spare him and his family a thought...a fine driver and a very fine man.
DCN
Win Percy injury update
Started by
Doug Nye
, Oct 21 2003 13:44
5 replies to this topic
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#2
condor
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Posted 22 October 2003 - 20:06
Taken from dailysportscar.com
We are disturbed to discover that as a result of a gardening accident, Le Mans hero and all-round good bloke Win Percy is confined to a wheelchair: just to write the words “permanently paraplegic, paralysed from the waist down” sounds so harsh. It’s a cruel world, isn’t it?
The dear man stepped out of the Jaguar at Le Mans in 1987, after sliding down the Mulsanne Straight upside down, and then suffers unbelievably cruel misfortune – in his garden.
Win was actually the first driver I ever interviewed, and his charm and good manners – and that lovely accent – encouraged me to pursue this ‘profession’. He really is one of the best, and although we don’t know whether we’ll still have the pleasure of seeing him opposite-locking some marvellous piece of machinery around the race tracks of the UK – he is determined to return to driving (on the road) using a hand-control converted car.
Alex Zanardi has shown what can be done.
Win has apparently received tremendous encouragement from Sir Frank Williams and Gordon Cruickshank of 'Motor Sport' magazine, who both live with similar injuries, and we’re delighted to hear that he has been overwhelmed by good wishes and support from his many friends around the world.
“If anybody can hack it Win will” – and we couldn’t agree more. A multiple British Touring Car Champion, a huge talent in historic cars, a winner in British GTs, in the TWR Jaguars, a man who has conquered the Mountain at Bathurst in 1990 – and one who has raced with grace and charm throughout a very long career.
Good luck Winston.
We are disturbed to discover that as a result of a gardening accident, Le Mans hero and all-round good bloke Win Percy is confined to a wheelchair: just to write the words “permanently paraplegic, paralysed from the waist down” sounds so harsh. It’s a cruel world, isn’t it?
The dear man stepped out of the Jaguar at Le Mans in 1987, after sliding down the Mulsanne Straight upside down, and then suffers unbelievably cruel misfortune – in his garden.
Win was actually the first driver I ever interviewed, and his charm and good manners – and that lovely accent – encouraged me to pursue this ‘profession’. He really is one of the best, and although we don’t know whether we’ll still have the pleasure of seeing him opposite-locking some marvellous piece of machinery around the race tracks of the UK – he is determined to return to driving (on the road) using a hand-control converted car.
Alex Zanardi has shown what can be done.
Win has apparently received tremendous encouragement from Sir Frank Williams and Gordon Cruickshank of 'Motor Sport' magazine, who both live with similar injuries, and we’re delighted to hear that he has been overwhelmed by good wishes and support from his many friends around the world.
“If anybody can hack it Win will” – and we couldn’t agree more. A multiple British Touring Car Champion, a huge talent in historic cars, a winner in British GTs, in the TWR Jaguars, a man who has conquered the Mountain at Bathurst in 1990 – and one who has raced with grace and charm throughout a very long career.
Good luck Winston.
#3
Vagabond
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Posted 22 October 2003 - 20:24
What had happened in his garden?
#4
John B
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#5
Alfisti
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Posted 22 October 2003 - 20:42
Win made the annual trip to Bathurst (Australia) from the UK and we all loved him. Great bloke, great humour and pretty quick too.
Hope he makes the best of this ... top bloke.
Hope he makes the best of this ... top bloke.
#6
condor
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Posted 22 October 2003 - 22:18
Hadn't realised the accident happenned 6 weeks ago....but I think his lower body paralysed state has only just been reported. Thanks for the TNF link 
Here's hoping he overcomes his difficulties...and can race again
Here's hoping he overcomes his difficulties...and can race again
