119 replies to this topic

[clickhappy]

I knew CART shouldn't have run. I cried when I heard Zinardi lost both of his legs. I can't help but think his heart just wasn't in racing this year...but the money they offered him was just too much for him to stay away. Now this. What a terrible tragedy

[HSJ]

I didn't see it, forgot the race, but still... just horrible I hope his former F1 colleagues don't forget him now but give him their support (if he needs it).

[phunk-ee planet]

This is the horrible end of the most horrible week in my life.
Good luck for you, Alex.

[Newtsche]

When Zanardi was winning everything in CART, I'd curse and yell at the screen. He was such a master of so many barely acceptable moves and passes, initiating contact and coming out intact and winning. He seemed capable of doing things in a CART car that no one else could. I surprised myself as I rooted for him to do well in F1, I wanted him to be as good as I knew he was. Despite this dismal year back in CART, Zanardi was starting to find his way again.

And now this.

God be with you, Alex. I love you.

[KinetiK]

My skin is chilled. Alex...

[Arrow]

Horrible thing to happen to such a nice and happy guy.

[RAD]

This is horrible.

[Spartacus]

damn.....real sad to hear this happen' to a nice guy like him

[SKL]

This whole week has made me sick and now this. I just got back from the photo shop my pix of him from Elkhart Lake. DAMN!!!! I hope he pulls through and gets some good prosthetics and can pull his life back together, without racing of course. Godspeed Alex...

[Ricardo F1]

Terrible news. When will CART and NASCAR learn that Oval racing is stupid.

[Captain Cranckcase]

Not fair!!!!!!!!!!

Oval racing is boring anyway. We lost a potential champion with Greg Moore and now this. I just hope he lives.

[prettyface]

What is this, the week from hell?

[MONTOYASPEED]

God bless you Alex

[Dr.Raj]

Terrible...

[ClashCityRocker]

I'm speechless

[911]

Like many, I'm speechless. Alex, our prayers & thoughts are with you.

911:cry:

[BlackGhost]

I just read an horrible news dispatch, Alex Zanardi has had one leg amputated below the knee and the other above.

The horror...

[Nustang70]

how tragic. at least he is still alive, but the loss of his legs must be almost unbearable. my heart goes out to him.

[paulsky]

That is so, so sad. I have been a fan for a long time. I cannot believe that ESPN did not show the race live.

What a week it has been here in States.

I really hope nothing happens tomorrow in MONZA.

[arcwulf7]

When i saw. on tv, some of the people at the NY Armoury, desparately searching for loved ones, in any condition, but alive, i gained some appreciation of the value of surviving, and making the best of what is left -- God bless, Alex.

[SennasCat]

Real bad news, especially for such a classy guy. Don't know how much more of this I can take this week:down:

[the goods]

This week gets worse and worse. Terrible news. Thoughts and prayers definitely going out to Zanardi and his family.

Unfortuneatly, this type of accident is almost inevitable on Oval tracks. I remember Vill. being in a similar accident years ago when he was in the middle of three racers going three wide around Phoenix and he slammed into Hiro Mashusita? at high speed.

Can only be thankful that Zanardi and Tagliani are alright.

[Spartacus]

I didn't see the race , but I just watched the videoclip from ESPN. I'm just glad he's alive. One of the worst accidents I've ever seen. Jeez....the speed must've been like 300 km/h.

Good luck Alex, life will go on!

[Nasty McBastard]

that accident could of happened anywhere.. it wasnt an oval thing...
although admittedly it happened at a higher speed coz it was on an oval.

strange, after the steve park thing, two big ones in a few weeks with guys exiting the pits.....id never seen one like that since...well, berger at portigal in 93ish.

i must say.. im gutted over this, moreso than with alot of other accidents like this.
a truely shitful end to a shitful week.

if we make it though monza accident free, ill be a happy man whoever wins

[Manson]

Alex didn't need to race for money. He raced for his love of the sport and maybe to silence his naysayers. Truly a sad day. I agree with the running of the race but can motorsports get any more snakebit this year? I have a race tomorrow (Sunday) at a very high speed track. It's hard not to think of what if...

[KenC]

The fact that they raced today has nothing to do with Alessandro's accident. It could have happened today, or it could have happened another day. Blaming CART for running is nonsensical.

Having said that, while Alessandro's injuries are horrific, I am thanking god that he is ALIVE. And while being a double amputee is terrible, being a paraphlegic or quadraphlegic would be far worse. I am hopeful that Alessandro can be fitted with a good pair of prosthetics and be as functionally normal as many double amputees have become.

The bright side is we have this wonderful human still with us, and that's great.

[Sammyed]

Originally posted by phunk-ee planet
This is the horrible end of the most horrible week in my life.
Good luck for you, Alex.

Oh, I just logged in back...damn...remember our comments during race??, sh*t... front car was totally destroyed...My God.. what a horrible week.. ..he was racing great, he could have finshed at podium... .

My prayers for you Alex.

[MattPete]

Originally posted by the goods


Unfortuneatly, this type of accident is almost inevitable on Oval tracks. I remember Vill. being in a similar accident years ago when he was in the middle of three racers going three wide around Phoenix and he slammed into Hiro Mashusita? at high speed.

I disagree. We had something very similar to this almost happen several years ago when Gerhard Berger's Ferrari (or Benneton?) mysteriously shot 90 degrees out of the exit lane and across the track. He was *this* close to getting hit.

[prettyface]

Originally posted by KenC
The bright side is we have this wonderful human still with us, and that's great.

KenC, well said.

[Chris G.]

Thank God he's alive.

[janusa]

Sad day and sad week. Sorry for all of Alex's fans. What a shitty week. I don't know what else to say

[Williams]

There are drivers and there are racers in this sport. Alex Zanardi is a true racer. Good luck Alex, and I wish you no regrets and a full life ahead of you.

[biercemountain]

I began watching open wheel racing because of Zanardi. His rookie year in CART was the only reason I watched motor CART racing and began watching F1 as well. Words can't express how sad I am at what has happened to him. I feel so bad for his wife with their young child.

Alex is the reason I have watched racing since 97 and might just be the reason I stop watching it. Watching Greg Moore die on national television was bad enough. I can't bear the thought of watching another driver lose their life or their limbs.

I hope Alex survives.

[brett_sequeira]

Its now official this has been the worst week of my life.

[schumigal]

That's got to be the 2nd worst news happening this week after the American attacks thing. Alex will be in my prayers and i hope he will be stronger than ever after this disastrous thing happening to him. God Bless Alex.

[Bee]

This is the most horrible week ever. I hate this week.
I cannot believe this at all. I loved the way this guy drove in CART.
He is one the nicest guys such a dog-eat-dog sport has ever seen.
I hated the manner in which he was finally removed from Williams, I hoped for a successful return to CART, which was not to be.
Now he faces a quality of life he did not deserve.
Too many casualties nowadays in all areas of motorsport. I wonder why I watch it at all.

[Pikachu Racing]

Zan became one of my favorite drivers to watch in CART 96, 97 and 98. He was purely awesome when he drove. I was happy when he returned to CART taking a year off after his awful F1 return. Truely sad how he lost both of his legs, but the good thing that he's alive.

[Paste]

I still don't think it's really hit me. Everytime I come to Atlas and read "Alex has lost both legs", it still seems like a shock to me. I don't think I want to believe that this has happened to Alex, such a great guy and great racer.

[Newtsche]

I'm not enough of a regular to make suggestions, but would changing the thread title to something less horrific be a consideration?

[Jerry Lee]

This is terrible but I'm Glad he's alive. I initially thought he was dead because the TV in a bar was showing a tribute with no sound. My heart stopped til I found out he was alive. Still depressed though.

Good luck Alex.

[Ronna]

What a terrible terrible week this is.........
Shock.....shock.....and another shock

God bless Alex

[cjpani]

Donutman:

"this is a professional blood sport; it can happen to you, and then, it can happen to you again"

Steve Mc Queen, in " Le Mans"

I am so, so, so sorry....

The most of the time, I love this sport, but;the less times, I just plain hate it.

Prayers for the Zanardi Family.

cj

[Zawed]

On no, I'm gutted. What a shitty thing to happen to such a nice guy.

[Flying Panda]

HOLY ****!!!!!

MY GOD!!!!

I just saw the crash for the first time.
****!

He's lucky to be alive.

My thoughts are with Alex and his loved ones...

[revvhead]

Alex, may your racers spirit never die.

[Flying Panda]

Originally posted by Bee
Too many casualties nowadays in all areas of motorsport. I wonder why I watch it at all.

???? There are less casualties nowadays than ever before in motorsport.

Is there any news on Tagliani?

[Zoe]

I watched the tape of the race this morning during breakfast. First I was p!ssed off at the commentary, then I was cheering on Alex for running so strong. I was hoping he might have found his joy of racing again that he apparently lacked this year.

Then the crash which was just a flick on the screen, but made me anxious, just looking at the speed of impact and the resulting wreck. I wasn't sure that anybody could survive this crash!

Now I hear that Alex is alive, which makes me glad. It makes me sad however to read that he lost both his lower legs, but in my opinion it is better for him and his family for him to live on. He was always such a joyful character on screen, enjoying his life and his racing and I am happy that his life has not ended today on the race track.

I wish Alex all the strength he now needs, his family the strength to live with the terrible injuries of their husband and dad.

Let us also not forget Alex Tagliani; although his injuries seem nought compared to Zanardi's, he deserves our thoughts and sympathies as well....

A sad Zoe

[markzed]

Sad news indeed.
Our best wishes and a speedy recovery to you, Alex.

[raceday]

Christ, that's a nasty accident!! I just woke up and saw it on the news. Like others have said, what's with this week!? It's the worst I can remember.

My deepest sympathy to AZ and his family.

Let’s hope this is the last piece of bad news for a long while!

[Mat]

I still havent seen the race, but have seen numerous replays of the incident on the news. I wish this horrible week would end.

My thoughts go out to Zanardi and his family. As well as to Tagliani. This is such a terrible event.

I am glad they are both still with us, that was a sickening impact.