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Here we meet again for another of my 'op ed' pieces ...

By mikel
February 21 2011

Today also marked the tenth anniversery of Dale Earnheart Sr.'s death on the final lap of the Daytona 500 in 2001while supporting both Michael Waltrip and his son, Dale Jr. In a final push to the finish line. Waltrip finally won his first ever race that day...however Dale Sr. Suffered what appeared to be push into the wall...nothing overly traumatic, or spectacular, nor feiry. Dale Sr. Lost his life that afternoon...and as we have found out since then...neither Waltrip nor Dale Jr. Knew the true extent of the accident that afternoon.  

Howdy there Sauber F1 Fans!

 

Here we meet again for another of my 'op ed' pieces on Formula 1, and...well...motorsport in general.

 

Today was the running of Nascar's marquee race, the Daytona 500. Although it is Nascar's first race of the season...it is in fact the penultimate race of the season.

 

Today also marked the tenth anniversery of Dale Earnheart Sr.'s death on the final lap of the Daytona 500 in 2001while supporting both Michael Waltrip and his son, Dale Jr. In a final push to the finish line. Waltrip finally won his first ever race that day...however Dale Sr. Suffered what appeared to be push into the wall...nothing overly traumatic, or spectacular, nor feiry. Dale Sr. Lost his life that afternoon...and as we have found out since then...neither Waltrip nor Dale Jr. Knew the true extent of the accident that afternoon.

 

They celebrated their 1-2 finish thinking they would hook up with Dale Sr. Later after he was discharged from the medical facilities. As we all know now, Dale didn't survive the accident...I won't go into details, he did die on track.

 

Motor racing has been one of the most dangerous sports ever...it has quite the casualty count, drivers...track officials...and race patrons.

 

The safety of all involved in motorsport has increased ten fold since the death of Dale Sr. It must have been his connection to the 'regular guy' in the States...Dale was known and renowned as the 'Intimitator' in NASCAR...if you were in front of him but driving too slow...he'd bump ya outa the way! He was a great strategist, a great motivator of people, yet never lost his abilities to spend time with his fans...sometimes spending 2 to 3 hours extra to meet everyone, and sign autographs for every last fan.

 

Dale Sr's death mandated the use of the HANS (Head and Neck Restraint System), the Safr barriers as seen in Daytona and Taledega and better medical facilities on track among other improvements. However, no improvement will ever make the sport injury free...unless they race tanks, and even then, I could see someone getting hurt.

 

Nobody wants to see driver's get hurt...let alone killed doing their job as a race car driver...least of all me, a fan of motorsport in its entirety. Technology has moved forward since 2001, all the cars are safer than they ever could be 10 years earlier.

 

However, incidents, accidents, and injuries will always occur in motorsports. As safe as the track venue is, and the race car is, there is always the potential for injury.

 

In the extreme cases...death.

 

We have lost many brave young driver's before their time...technology was top notch for the time...but nothing like it is today.

 

Today, the tenth anniversary of Dale Earnheart's passing, I would like to salute those who gave all...for the win!

 

mikel

 

This is an edited version of my origional article...nothing has been changed text wise, just the doubled up story on the page, which was kinda stupid. hopefully this one works out somewhat better...

 

mike

 

 

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Here we meet again for another of my 'op ed' pieces ...
Discussion started by BMW Sauber F1 (IP Logged), 21/02/2011 01:08
BMW Sauber F1
BMW Sauber F1
21/02/2011 01:08
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