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Post by Henrik on Oct 15, 2002 7:09:00 GMT -5
Having recently read some news about Jason Watt, I thought it time his name be mentioned here at Shamu. For those of you who do not know who he is, Jason was an upcoming Danish driver in F3000. In 1999, he finished the championship 2nd, behind Nick Heidfeld. Now, it is likely that he would have finished 3rd had it not been for the tragic accident Gonzalo Rodriguez suffered at Laguna Seca that year, but still he was a very promising driver, winning the last 3 F3000 races of the season. After the season end, as he was negotiating contracts in F1 and CART, he had a motorcycle accident, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. End of his racing career? NO!! He was determined to keep doing what he loved the most. A car was prepared for him to drive, using only his hands. I remember reading after his first DTC race, in which he almost made it to the podium, how happy he was to be back, but concerned about how he would make it up on the podium in his wheelchair in the next race! Through hard work and will power, he become very good at this, and so this year he won the Danish Touring Car championship! A truly amazing achievement. Well done Jason!
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Post by Topcontender on Oct 15, 2002 8:32:49 GMT -5
good story ;D
Maybe Zanardi can take some pointers from him.
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Post by Srrh on Oct 15, 2002 10:07:37 GMT -5
Superman, eat your heart out!!! Inspiring indeed.
Thanks for sharing
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Post by greg99 on Oct 15, 2002 17:40:24 GMT -5
I remember seeing Zanardi walking back to his chauffeured car with his crutches after the Toronto CART race. It was a sight for sore eyes, all the fans rushed to him as if he had won the race. I wanted to kiss him (but didn't - maybe next time).
I'm sure we'll see Alex driving again soon.
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Post by raptor22 on Oct 15, 2002 18:13:33 GMT -5
10 flaming chillies to Jason Watt and Alex Zanardi for showing us what human spirit can overcome.
You just got admire those people for getting back in/on their horses; alex zanardi Niki lauda jason watt johnny herbert martin donelly alessandro nanini mika hakkinen
and many more, another name pops into my mind from history, Douglas Bader...
heros each and every one of them. there are of course many more but these popped into my very fatigued mind.
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Post by Cine_Man on Oct 15, 2002 20:43:48 GMT -5
Call Sign "Dog's Body".
Douglas Bader simply did not know there was a word in the dictionary for stopping. His bio, written with Paul Brickhill is an inspiration. As a PoW of the Luftwaffe, he was still respected enough to warrant special treatment... but they had to start taking his legs away from him, because he'd escape again if he had them. I believe he eventually wound up in Colditz. (Which has recently become available to visit). Amazing story.
cine_...
A philosophical question... Move this to Intelekt, or Life the Universe, et al., if you want...
Given the choice, if, for example, Ayrton Senna was visited by the Angel of Death on May 4, 1994 and given the option of living (but never again to sit in a racing car), or to accept the fate of that day... would things still have turned out the same?
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Post by Henrik on Oct 16, 2002 1:50:19 GMT -5
Couldn't agree more Greg99! What really impressed me was when a kid came up to him asking for an autograph. Since he had his hands full with his crutches, he asked the kid to follow him to the car, so that he may put down the crutches in order to sign the autograph! He didn't say "sorry, no can do kid", he totally went out of his way for that kid.
And cine_man, about that day in May 1994, I think things would have turned out the same. Just like in October 1999...
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Post by da_silva on Oct 16, 2002 10:20:13 GMT -5
Question,
What does a paraplegic driver do when he crashes and his car bursts into flames? I think there is an issue of saftey to be considered here.
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Post by raptor22 on Oct 16, 2002 12:23:38 GMT -5
Call Sign "Dog's Body". Douglas Bader simply did not know there was a word in the dictionary for stopping. His bio, written with Paul Brickhill is an inspiration. As a PoW of the Luftwaffe, he was still respected enough to warrant special treatment... but they had to start taking his legs away from him, because he'd escape again if he had them. I believe he eventually wound up in Colditz. (Which has recently become available to visit). Amazing story. cine_... Yeah even his capturs acknowledged his bravery and courage. I read that book. It was an inspiration. On your ? about Senna, well I guess when the curtains are drawn thats it. I'm no theologian, infact I'm not incredibly religious, although I do feel the concept of God has Merrit..............i digress Given that choice perhaps he would not have raced and hung up the helmet there and then, but perhaps then he would have died an "ordinary" death. Senna was a special man and special circumstances where always going to snatch him from this dimention.
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Post by pabs on Oct 16, 2002 12:51:31 GMT -5
Screw that da silva...guys like Jason Watt are true winners. I am all for safety but if someone can come back from such a horrific accident and still drive at the competitive level, then by all means they should be allowed to race. Shit, I volunteer to stand by the side of the track and pull him out should that situation arise.
Guys like him should be encouraged, not stopped.
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Post by da_silva on Oct 16, 2002 13:17:23 GMT -5
Pabs,
I don't disagree, in fact in a Formula 1 situation somebody with no legs could have an advantage from a chassis design point of view. However, as heroic as these people are, I feel if one dies because he could not extricate him or herself from a vehicle, it could and would bring the sport into disrepute. My question is what special requirements for safety are given for a paraplegic driver?
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Post by Henrik on Oct 16, 2002 13:57:12 GMT -5
da silva,
I have to agree with Pabs.
However, you do raise an interesting point. I have no idea if there is anything done in particular around a track where Jason may race.
About somebody dying while trying to save such a driver, well I suppose that can happen in any situation. What if a fully able driver is stuck because of the accident? Okay, there is a bigger risk with a paraplegic driver, but I say, let them race and let them be an example to us all. They show courage. How many people just whither away after such an accident that Jason had?
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Post by raptor22 on Oct 16, 2002 18:28:56 GMT -5
I agree Henrik, Everyone has the right to chose their own destiny, paraplegic or fully functional. Who are we to limit their dreams and abilities. life has alreay dealt hem a blow whichis hard enough to overcome. I for one would not want to stand in the way of smeone realising a dream.
let them race.
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Post by da_silva on Oct 16, 2002 19:03:17 GMT -5
Well,
I am extremely pro choice on this issue and I agree with live and let live. However, our beliefs are not shared by race track owners the FIA and Insurance companies. I will reiterate my question, what special safety requirements are given due to a paraplegic driver competing? I don't know and I would like an answer if someone has one.
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Post by pabs on Oct 16, 2002 20:31:21 GMT -5
I'm afraid I don't know the answer. I assume the FIA is not going to change their standards just for a handicapped driver (getting out of the car in 5 seconds, etc) so it would be up to the team to come up with some sort of ejection seat that would allow the driver to get out in that time.
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