59 replies to this topic

[WGD706]

The thing is firstly would the organisers grant him a liscence to race?
Would he qualify? I feel probably but would he really be on the pace, probably not. An really if he is not on the pace it is not worth him doing the event to run 20th,, or worse crash. 500 miles is a long way with a specially adapted car and the extra concentration required over that distance would be an accident waiting to happen.
IF he races again he should do something that is of a sprint nature, seemingly what he did with the Touring Cars.

According to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, a spokesman for BMW confirmed that Alex has been in contact -- about DTM.

"If he had his way," said the spokesman, "he would be with us at the next race.
"We are not saying categorically no, but also not categorically yes."
BMW motor sport director Jens Marquardt added: "There are many issues to be considered first of all, from a purely design point of view, and also for safety."
And the spokesman explained that there is probably not time to explore the possibility this season.




A DTM race is always scheduled on either Indy 500 qualifying weekend or on race weekend.

[simonlewisbooks]

500 miles is a long way with a specially adapted car and the extra concentration required over that distance would be an accident waiting to happen.
IF he races again he should do something that is of a sprint nature, seemingly what he did with the Touring Cars.

I tend to disagree on that Lee; given that Indy requires very little in the way of gear changing or braking. It's not a 'physical' event in the way many others are. It seems to me a race won 'in the mind', by judgement, car set-up and team work in the pit lane. None of this would seem to present Alex with any great barrier so long as he can tolerate the sustained G loading for 500 miles. Given how strong he clearly is I can't imagine that, nor concentration, will be a insurmountable problems.

[DogEarred]

Don't forget, he returned to Lausitz a year or 2 later to drive the 20 or so laps to complete the race distance. (He was very much in contention for a win that day)
He was in a specially adapted Indycar. (I have been trying to dig out some photos of the cockpit, that I have somewhere)
Although not a full Indy 500 of course, those laps times were comfortably within the race range.

[B Squared]

Don't forget, he returned to Lausitz a year or 2 later to drive the 20 or so laps to complete the race distance. (He was very much in contention for a win that day)
He was in a specially adapted Indycar. (I have been trying to dig out some photos of the cockpit, that I have somewhere)
Although not a full Indy 500 of course, those laps times were comfortably within the race range.

If I remember correctly, his times would have had him in the top ten of the grid for the race.

[Nigel Beresford]

500 miles is a long way with a specially adapted car and the extra concentration required over that distance would be an accident waiting to happen.

What a strange thing to say. He lost his legs, not his mind.

In recent interviews Zanardi indicated that he would not be inclined to return to Indy because, in order to do it properly, he couldn't just "Hollywood" in and do the month of May - he'd have to relocate to the States for a sustained period beforehand, and he's not prepared to make his family have to deal with that.

[Ross Stonefeld]

I think an experienced driver could though. Townsend Bell has been doing it relatively successfully for the past few years. Given Zanardi has more ability and more resources at his dispoal, he'd do even better.

Full time is always better whether driver, team, or sponsor; but there's a solid argument for Indy-only efforts.

[Nigel Beresford]

Yes, very true. Bell's performances every year have been very impressive considering he didn't have a full time ride.

[LotusElise]

Going by what he has achieved so far, Alex Zanardi could probably turn his hand to any number of competitive activities and succeed. Oscar Pistorius was apparently rather star-struck by him at the Paralympics.

In terms of a return to Indy, his age and time out of the cockpit go more against him than factors relating to his disability. Hand controls in racing cars tend to be very heavy, which is a disadvantage, but his smaller physical body might compensate for that somewhat.

[Ross Stonefeld]

These days Zanardi has arms bigger than the legs of most of us.

[Lelouch]

He is nominated for a Laureus award in the World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability category.

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