14 replies to this topic

[wembi]

Racing, regardless of categories, is a dangerous sport. When one hits the wall at more than 130Mph, the impact is painful whether you're driving in F1 , NASCAR or F3.

Randy Lajoie, 2-time Busch Series Champion said today ( in regards to Adam Petty's death) something very profound and something I think we should all remember:

"We ( the drivers) know that when we leave pit row, we may not come back. I thank God every night I'm alive. Tonight, I'll thank him twice."- Randy Lajoie


I didn't know Adam Petty (except that I knew he was one of Richard Petty's relatives), nor did I follow his career. But any time, a race car driver dies around the world, I show him my respect for having followed his dream.


Feel free to post a BB for your favorite driver who has gone beyond. Here are mine,

Ayrton Senna -1994 (Imola)
Gilles Villeneuve-1982 (Zolder)
Elio De Angelis-1986( Paul Ricard)
Steffan Bellof-1984( Spa)
Joachim Wichelhoeck-1984(Mosport)
Jo Gartner-1986(Le Mans)
Jovy Marcello-1992 (Indianapolis)
Scott Brayton (Indianapolis)
Roland Ratzenberger-1994( Imola)
Riccardo Paletti-1982(Circuit Gilles Villeneuve)

[Mr. Salty]

Greg Moore (1999)

[JayWay]

TSN showed a replay of the 99 Motegi race last night, watching it only made me sad seeing Greg racing. Especially on a day like yesterday where we lost yet another young driver far to early in his life.


RIP GREG, CANADAS OWN

[John B]

Sadly, there are too many. In addition to those previously mentioned, these are some American stars from various leagues who have passed on since I've been following the sport. You may not have heard of all of them, but many had exceptional records and championships to their name:
Gordon Smiley (Indy)
Jim Hickman (CART)
Ritchie Evans (Modified 9 time champ)
Lee Shepard (many NHRA titles)
Blaine Johnson (NHRA)
JD McDuffie (NASCAR)
Neil Bonnett (NASCAR)
Butch Lindley (short track star)
Fans at Indy (1987), Charlotte (1999), Michigan (1998)
Bill Elliott pit crew member killed at Atlanta
Rodney Orr (NASCAR)
Rich Vogler (short track star)
Dean Chyenoweyth (hydroplane champ)
Terry Schoonover (NASCAR)
Alan Kulwicki, Davey Allison - air crashes
Jeff Krosnoff and marshall (CART)
Gonzalo Rodriguez (CART)
Marshall killed at Vancouver (CART)


[This message has been edited by John B (edited 05-13-2000).]

[JayWay]

John B,

I don't wanna sound inconsiderate in this thread, but is it true what I heard about Voglers death? How the camera follwed his helmet not knowing he was dicapitated?

A Nascar fan told me this some while ago

[Psychoman]

Sheesh, do I have to pick a bunch?

------------------
http://mrpsycho61636...d.com/home.html
Pauly Shore--That could have been the smartest thing or the dumbest thing you have ever done.
Stephen Baldwin--Probably both.
--Bio-Dome

[This message has been edited by Psychoman (edited 05-14-2000).]

[John B]

Jayway,

I haven't heard that story, but don't know anything about the details of Vogler's crash so it's possible.

Rodney Orr was disfigured by a caution light that sheared into the roof of his car at Daytona 1994 practice, that crash was described by some as the most violent they had ever seen.

[Lamont]

JayWay, I'm with you regarding the CART races. I have a hard time watching a race now knowing that Greg isn't there. His death really took the wind out of my sails with regards to CART....

[John B]

Moore was one of the guys who was an integral part of CART's future. through the 1990s the sport lost a lot of name drivers to retirement (Mears, Andretti, Rahal, etc. - the US brigade, then the F1 drivers Villeneuve, Zanardi, and Mansell) and needed drivers to establish as long-term stars like Jeff Gordon. I suspect with his ability best on ovals Moore would have been a popular fixture in CART for the rest of his career.

[Daemon]

Denny Hulme died while driving - but not from driving - at the early age of 56 during the Tooheys 1000 miles race at Bathurst in Australia in 1992. While behind the wheel he suffered a heart attack but still managed to slow his car before rescuers found him dead behind the wheel.

[Lutz]

Wembi,
Joachim Winkelhock is alive and still racing. His brother Manfred died in Mosport back in 1985.

[Mat]

The two deaths which have really affected my life have been Ayrton Senna (when I was 13) and Greg Moore (I was 18). These two have been the hardest of all, they were bigger than the sport they were in.

I have watched all the CART races this year, but it just doesn't seem the same, they dont seem exciting this year. I don't know how long it will be until they are.

Daemon, I remember that Bathurst so well, actually I just remember the incident. I think it was the first death I had witnessed during a motor race. The whole family was gathered for the race. The Bathurst 1000 is the only time nearly everyone in the family takes an interest in motor racing. It was so confusing watching the footage, and Denny only brushed the wall so lightly, it was so strange. And then they panned out to a country-side view, and the commentator annouced he had had a heart-attack. It was a very sad moment, and being so young then, i didn't even realise who he was.

Mat

[Daemon]

It ruined the whole weekend for me Mat. Had it been a racing incident, then I don't think it would have been so shocking. It was just not something that you'd ever expect to see, a legend like Denny going out like that. At least it was doing something he loved. It's absolutely amazing that he was able to put the saftey of the other drivers before his own pain from the heart attack and clear the track in time. He was a true champion to the end and is New Zealands most successful F1 driver to date.

[DJS]

I remember that '92 Bathurst race, also the one in '86 when that privateer (sorry I forget his name, I was only 7) was killed under the Dunlop bridge. He was the first fatality at Bathurst and his death lead to the destruction of the 'real' Conrod...

I'd heard about Denny's career before his death and in some way the fact that he was racing right to the end seemed right.

John B, what happened to Blaine Johnson?? I remember watching a special on NHRA racing back in '95 (@ Pomona I think) when he won his first title...

For you Aussies out there, who remembers Greg Hansford's tragic accident in a Super Touring event back in '94/'95?? A sad day for all...

[John B]

DJS,

Blaine Johnson was killed the following year, i think it was at the U.S. Nationals at Indy. His team hired a driver who continued the team's success but mentioned on many occasions how mixed his feelings were in doing so.