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Dan Wheldon: 1978 - 2011

H

hachi kid

Jun 2, 2008
1,110
57
Austin, TX
bandcamp.grandfury.com
#1
I know not everyone here is into racing, but it is a huge passion of mine, and I know I am not the only one who cares about it. To those that share this passion...guys.....Dan Wheldon is dead.................

As a driver myself, I can say that the thought of never expecting to return home when stepping into a car is no where to be found in our minds anymore. The level of safety now days is at such a high level is to thank for this. Unfortunately, the universe takes one of us every now and then to prove to us we're still mortal. It never stops hurting when one is taken, either.

a father, a husband, a philanthropist, and one of the most respected names in motorsport today passed away a little over an hour ago after an extremely high speed crash into the catch fencing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway...we have lost one of our own.....my condolences to Dan's family and the community.

C4S_wheldonfront0402_62730c.jpg
 
#2
Was watching. One of the most violent crashes I've seen in a long long time. Grew up in a racing family, and stuff like this hits home. Seen my dad carted off to the hospital a few times, and a partner get killed one night. The cars in all the series are much safer than anything from when I was involved, but at 225, there is just so much that one can do in that area.
 
#3
Thank you for posting this.
I was going to do the same as I had just gotten home from work.
Auto racing in general, open wheel in particular has been an important part of my life for about 3/4 of my adult 55 year old life..
I am an open wheel amateur and have watched this young man race many times.
Not only a very talented driver but a very personable young man as well.
I've never heard any drama with him.
My condolences to his family and may he rest in peace!
Jeff
 
#7
Wonder how the other three are doing. Looking at Pippa Mann's car you think she would have had some leg injuries, but she looked to be walking fine. I wouldn't doubt a concussion, as she looked like she didn't really know where she was when they finally got her out of the car.

You knew it was bad when the red flag lasted for so long. You could tell be the driver's faces, they knew.
 
#8
I did not know Pippa Mann was involved...wow. I met her for the first time at Barber last year when she was racing in the Indy Lights series, and hung out with her again for a little bit at Barber earlier in the year. god, I am glad she is ok. I would have been even more upset if she was a second fatality.

and no problem Jeff. it just seemed fitting. I've just been numb all day, you know.
 
#9
That was such a shame. ESPN radio cut out to the press conference during one of the football games they had on the air, and I was in disbelief for a long time.

It is always painful to lose someone that way.

RIP Dan.
 
#15
Race car fans and friends lost a true gentleman and ambassador of the sport. I met Dan and his wife in Long Beach while we were out one evening and he was a truly a great person. I really hate to see this happen to someone who was so humble and so dedicated to his family and his profession. May Gods blessings blanket his family - Dan you got the checkers in heaven!!
 
#16
Time Monkey said:
Is he not the guy who won indy this year, and didn't even have a sponsor for the rest of the season or something like that?


rip
Click to expand...

He actually had a deal in place to run next season with andretti..... They were to sign it after this race.

I got to meet Dan at an event in Texas three years ago. I was so impressed how authentic the man was. He was one of the good guys.

Godspeed, Dan.
 
#17
Time Monkey said:
Is he not the guy who won indy this year, and didn't even have a sponsor for the rest of the season or something like that?
Click to expand...

He had other ride offers for this year, but instead took the job of testing the next generation Indy car, which replaces the model that saw its last race yesterday. Among other features, the new car has a rear bumper to prevent other cars from going airborne from direct wheel to wheel contact. Bitter irony there...:hmm:
 
#18
I heard the news on the radio yesterday afternoon just before I arrived to play bass at church. It felt like a punch in the gut. I really liked the guy and am very saddened by his death. I can tell from the reaction of the other drivers and crews that they did too.
 
#19
RIP, Dan.

hachi kid said:
As a driver myself, I can say that the thought of never expecting to return home when stepping into a car is no where to be found in our minds anymore. The level of safety now days is at such a high level is to thank for this.
Click to expand...

While I semi agree with this, you shouldn't become too complacent just because of the quality of today's safety equipment. I'm a driver myself, and while I may not drive an open wheel car or a Top Fuel dragster, the risk is there in all forms of motor sports.
 

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