RIP Dan Wheldon

[PMather]

Very sad day.

[dalyduo]

Dan Wheldon

Great man, father... racer.

Our thoughts are with his family

[KBruSBRS]

Thoughts and prayers also go out to the Newey family and their team.

I'm completely speechless. RIP Dan.

[LimeRockRacer]

How very tragic. Brings home just how on the edge they drive. There is no chance at this speeds to avoid. A sad day for racing all around.

RIP Dan....

[Kevin T]

So many of us say we would give anything to drive on that edge, but so few understand what anything really means. It takes true passion and commitment to get there, and pure courage to drive a car at 225mph knowing full well the risk. Dan was without a doubt a great driver, but more importantly a great person.

So here's to you Dan. The world was better place with you in it.

[GregS]

Originally Posted by Kevin T

So many of us say we would give anything to drive on that edge, but so few understand what anything really means. It takes true passion and commitment to get there, and pure courage to drive a car at 225mph knowing full well the risk. Dan was without a doubt a great driver, but more importantly a great person.

So here's to you Dan. The world was better place with you in it.

well said - i cant imagine the loss felt by the family.

ironically i was racing f2000 at the time and didnt find out til much later.

i still havent seen the video of this event yet and may never choose too.

[Kevin T]

Originally Posted by GregS

i still havent seen the video of this event yet and may never choose too.

Given the choice I would not, without a doubt one of the worst looking crashes I have ever seen.

[Rosso]

Very sad day. RIP Dan, you are gone too soon.

Well, my personal opinion, I think it was stupid to start 35 cars on one of the series' fastest tracks when week in and week out they routinely start 10 fewer cars. Other than Wheldon, where do you find 10 experienced drivers qualified to run wheel to wheel at 225 mph for 300 miles? And that presumes that all of the other 25 were qualified to begin with, and opinions vary there. My understanding is that Vegas is so smooth, wide and banked that an Indycar is essentially driven flat-out, right foot down, never lift, for the duration of the race. I don't think I have ever seen so many cars go airborne in the same chain reaction. These cars fly like Frisbees at that speed, one bump and it's "hello wild blue yonder". I also think they need to change the name of the barrier above the walls from the innocuous "catch fencing" which sounds so warm & inviting, to something that more closely describes what it does when you are hurled into it at 200+ MPH, maybe Cuisinart Fencing.

[cdh]

DARIO FRANCHITTI (No. 10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing):

“I guess right now I’m speechless. You know, one minute you’re joking around during driver intros, and then next Dan’s gone. I told Sebastien Thursday night at the parade at the Strip that I’ve known his dad since he was your size, he was about six years old when I met him. And then I talked to a friend of mine, Jesse Spence that I used to race go-karts with, we were talking about that we’ve known him since he was this little kid…his mouth worked plenty good, but he was just this little kid. The next thing you know, he’s my teammate in IndyCar we had a couple of fall outs over the way but we were friends, and he came to Chip’s team, he was a huge part of the Target team. We put so much pressure on ourselves to win races and championships, it’s what we love to do, it’s what we live for, and then on days like today it doesn’t really matter. We lost, I lost, a good friend, everyone in the IZOD IndyCar Series considered Dan a friend. He was just one of those special, special people. From when he first showed up in INDYCAR and he was kind of brash, and he was a charmer. Then he became this loving, family guy…he was still charming but he had this whole new side to him. With Susie, and the boys…that’s all I’m thinking about, and I’m trying to hold it together.” (Were you thinking about the championship): “I was thinking about that parade lap…first of all, I’d like to thank you to all the fans for showing so much respect for Dan, and also to all the people on the teams, I thought that was a very nice thing.

I was thinking about old Dan stories, and things that we did, and in situations like this, as well as always when this happens, I was thinking about some of the fun times we had. But really, right now it’s just sad, it’s just really, really sad. It’s the ugly side of our sport.” (Do you have a favorite memory of Dan): “There’s a few, man, there’s a few. Tony, Bryan and I ganged up on Dan and brought it up to the hotel room to giving him a talking to, and his eyes were about this big. So, we thought it was quite funny, Dan didn’t.

And then, the other one that really sticks out in my mind is, I think—Dan’s got quite a bit of Irish, his dad’s family is Irish, and I think a lot of Scottish, especially when he was driving for the Andretti Green at that point, because he’d never buy dinner or drinks or something, and we always bought dinner. We used to joke that he was the little brother you didn’t want. And then he signed for Chip because we were all out in New York, and he says let’s go out to dinner, I’m buying. And we were all like, “What?” And so we ended up going to this restaurant that mind you, was going to give his credit card a beating, and proceeded to order a lot of expensive things, lots of champagne the whole thing, and the bill was about $5000. And I’ll never forget his face, but he did not flinch, he put the card out and he paid, and he said, “That’s for everything you guys have done for me.”

I’m going to miss him.”

more comments on Speed

[cdh]

It is at times like these we hear outsiders ask a lot of questions, they don't understand the the loss, they think
the price is too high, we hear them say racing makes no sense, it is ridiculous, nothing could be worth this heartache.
Phil Mather posted this on FB, thought it worked here also, thanks Phil

[GEORGE]

So sad.....

[KBruSBRS]

A very touching write up from Marshall Pruett.

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...ett-danny-boy/

[GT-Subject]

Originally Posted by KBruSBRS

A very touching write up from Marshall Pruett.

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...ett-danny-boy/

I agree - very touching.....

[Slowhands]

Incredibly tragic...the emotion I feel is beyond any words that I could come up with, especially when I think of his widow, his young children, his parents, his friends, the fact that he was just beginning to live the fullness of life and family. My other emotion is unfortunately that of anger concerning the circumstances in which this happened. But this is not the time to go into that.

Rest in peace, Danny. Too soon gone from this world.

This poem is much, much too apt.

To An Athlete Dying Young

The time you won your town the race
We chaired you through the market-place;
Man and boy stood cheering by,
And home we brought you shoulder-high.

Today, the road all runners come,
Shoulder-high we bring you home,
And set you at your threshold down,
Townsman of a stiller town.

Smart lad, to slip betimes away
From fields where glory does not stay,
And early though the laurel grows
It withers quicker than the rose.

Eyes the shady night has shut
Cannot see the record cut,
And silence sounds no worse than cheers
After earth has stopped the ears:

Now you will not swell the rout
Of lads that wore their honours out,
Runners whom renown outran
And the name died before the man.

So set, before its echoes fade,
The fleet foot on the sill of shade,
And hold to the low lintel up
The still-defended challenge-cup.

And round that early-laurelled head
Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead,
And find unwithered on its curls
The garland briefer than a girl's.

A. E. Housman

[LimeRockRacer]

Perfect, thank you for sharing this Harsha.

[cdh]

Thanks Harsha, amazing poem.

Nice move by Dallara...

"Dallara's 2012 IndyCar chassis will be named in honour of Dan Wheldon, the Italian racing car constructor has confirmed."

[angusdad]

Dan and my son were karting teammates. He was one of the nicest guys i ever met. At one track where Angus was struggling this year, Dan stayed after for night practice showing Angus the line after being there all day. My fondest memory of Dan was during a rain delay, watching him and Angus and 2 other young karters discuss, debate and laugh about the merits of Helio's meltdown from last year. I'm praying for Suzie, Sebastian, and the new baby boy.

[Slowhands]

That picture of Dan with Angus and the story behind it really hit home, Richie.

[KBruSBRS]

Wow. Words really can't express. He really was a stand up guy. How is Angus taking this?

Originally Posted by angusdad

Dan and my son were karting teammates. He was one of the nicest guys i ever met. At one track where Angus was struggling this year, Dan stayed after for night practice showing Angus the line after being there all day. My fondest memory of Dan was during a rain delay, watching him and Angus and 2 other young karters discuss, debate and laugh about the merits of Helio's meltdown from last year. I'm praying for Suzie, Sebastian, and the new baby boy.

[angusdad]

angus was totally stunned, and pretty shaken up. dan made an impact on tons of kids like angus, and a bunch of them are taking it hard. one of angus' friends who was also a teammate posted on facebook how he's had a hard time eating and sleeping all week.

after the first time we met dan and hung out with him, my wife told angus that this is what a professional driver should act like, and for angus to watch and learn from him. dan understood that he was a role model. i remember my wife pointed out to angus and some of the other boys to notice dan's lunch choices, as he was even a really healthy eater
i never heard him use bad language in front of the kids, and he meticulously took care of his equipment. i remember pointing out to angus to watch how long dan would spend cleaning his driving shoes. he had all the little details covered.

[cdh]

Originally Posted by Slowhands

That picture of Dan with Angus and the story behind it really hit home, Richie.

I can't say it any better than that. A lot of heartache, tough for kids (of all ages) to handle.

Thanks for that photo AD, it shouts out the kind of life Dan lived.

[LimeRockRacer]

Great picture and great story. Dan was the type of professional athlete that we should remember, promote and identify with. He was a great person living his life the right way. What a loss.

Don't know if anyone has seen the banter going back and forth berween Mario and some NASCAR drivers etc. No one seems to have picked up on the point made here that this sport should not be run by a bull riding promoter. Life should not be equated to ticket sales. Yes there is risk but we need to be smart about protecting our drivers, crews, workers and spectators. I don't know whether a crash like this could have been prevented over the long run but I do know that every effort for continuous safety improvement needs to happen. Throwing a man in a pit with a lion for the sake of entertainment went out a few thousand years ago.

There were too many cars on a 1.5 mile track at 225 MPH going flat for anyone to not know it was a disaster waiting to happen.

It's a damn shame and Dan's wife and kids are without him.

[Slowhands]

Originally Posted by LimeRockRacer

Don't know if anyone has seen the banter going back and forth berween Mario and some NASCAR drivers etc.

Chris, could you point me to whatever you have found regarding this conversation on the new thread that Doug started?

Thanks, Harsha

[Rosso]

Originally Posted by LimeRockRacer

...Throwing a man in a pit with a lion for the sake of entertainment went out a few thousand years ago..

In Barnhart's prior professional engagement they used bulls, not lions. Lately, he made do with Dallaras.

[cheekychica]

Originally Posted by Slowhands

Chris, could you point me to whatever you have found regarding this conversation on the new thread that Doug started?

Thanks, Harsha

http://www.teamjuicyracing.com/forum...5&postcount=13

[cdh]

Services in St. Petersburg on Oct. 22

"Wheldon's wife, Susie, released the following statement on behalf of the family, inviting members of community to attend the service:

"Although the last few days have been unbearable for our family, the overwhelming love and support we have received are rays of sunshine during these dark days. The outpouring of sympathy and condolences has been so comforting, and I want to thank everyone for their kind notes, letters, gifts and flowers.

"Dan touched the lives of many people, and I would like to invite those citizens in our community who knew and loved my husband to attend his funeral service at the First Presbyterian Church of St. Petersburg on Saturday, October 22, at 10 a.m.

"Though we won't be able to fit everyone inside, I know that Dan would have wanted the community to share in the celebration of his life and to grieve his passing. Thank you again. I am forever grateful for your kindness."

[cheekychica]

Originally Posted by cdh

Services in St. Petersburg on Oct. 22

"Wheldon's wife, Susie, released the following statement on behalf of the family, inviting members of community to attend the service:

"Although the last few days have been unbearable for our family, the overwhelming love and support we have received are rays of sunshine during these dark days. The outpouring of sympathy and condolences has been so comforting, and I want to thank everyone for their kind notes, letters, gifts and flowers.

"Dan touched the lives of many people, and I would like to invite those citizens in our community who knew and loved my husband to attend his funeral service at the First Presbyterian Church of St. Petersburg on Saturday, October 22, at 10 a.m.

"Though we won't be able to fit everyone inside, I know that Dan would have wanted the community to share in the celebration of his life and to grieve his passing. Thank you again. I am forever grateful for your kindness."

I was looking to see whether we'll be getting the Steelers game on Sunday, and I saw that the Versus (Vs) network will be broadcasting Dan's memorial service from 4:00-5:00pm on Sunday (10/23).

http://tvlistings.zap2it.com/tv/dan-...ice/EP01489675

I'm guessing that it's the service that is taking place in Indy on Sunday, rather than the service from St. Petersburg (which is Sat.).

[cdh]

Very good...best to have 49 minutes free before clicking play

[KBruSBRS]

the Dan Wheldon auction went live last night. They raised 35k in the first hour!

Skip Barber Racing School donated a 3 Day Racing School, which currently has 36 bids

http://stores.ebay.com/celebritychar...eldon-memorial

[cdh]

Was taking to a friend who had, inexplicably, never heard of Little Feat.
In sending her links I revisited this classic and it hit me how well it fits here.
The late great Lowell George, et al...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8V1olWt8I0

I've been down, but not like this before
Can't be 'round this kind of show no more

All, all that you dream
Comes through shinin' silver lining
Clouds, clouds change the scene
Rain starts washing all these cautions
Right into your life, makes you realize
Just what is true, what else can you do
You just follow the rules
Keep your eyes on the road that's ahead of you

I've been down, but not like this before
Can't be 'round this kind of show no more

All of the good, good times were ours
In the land of milk and honey
And time, time adds its scars
Rainy days they turn to sunny ones
Livin' the life, livin' the life lovin' everyone

I've been down, but not like this before
Can't be 'round this kind of show no more