best wishes to Dan Wheldon's family.....

[maytag]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/10/ ... 1120.shtml

Having met the man and chatted on a couple of occasions, and then watched from across the paddock as hge interacted with fans and family, I can tell you that this was a true gentleman, and a true asset to motorsports. He will be missed by fans, but prayers go out to his wife and two young sons.

Every driver knows the risks when they strap in, but it is always a tragedy when disaster strikes.

[FulviaHF]

Tragic.

Never should have happened. They never should have been running open-wheel cars on that track. The drivers and teams knew it, but there's serious money and sponsors and TV time involved, so they just hope they stay lucky. Usually it works, but when it doesn't, it's the drivers who pay the price.

RIP, Dan. Condolences to his family and friends.

[So Cal Mark]

so very, very sad

[gwb]

Very sad indeed, big loss to the sport. As FulviaHF said, they never should have been running those cars. If anything they should have been running champ style cars on an oval track

[FulviaHF]

don't call me clairvoyant--it was just too obvious, but Tuesday's NY Times has an interesting--and troubling--article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/18/sport ... don&st=cse

[maytag]

Very sad indeed, big loss to the sport. As FulviaHF said, they never should have been running those cars. If anything they should have been running champ style cars on an oval track

you do realize that Champ cars were still open-wheel, right?

I think it is clear that open-wheeled cars do not belong on this track. it also seems pretty clear that the lure of big $$ was required to get drivers to compete, in spite of the potential for disaster.

why is it that people who do not take the risks are determining what risks are acceptable?

[mdrburchette]

Such a tragedy. I remember years ago, Ron was scheduled to leave for the State of Washington to set up some machines for my Dad. He had flown many times, so it was odd that he developed a nagging feeling about getting on that plane. He ended up cancelling his flight. Nothing happened to anyone on that flight, but he followed his feelings. Dan Wheldon had that same nagging feeling about that race. I wish he would have followed his feelings.