Dan Wheldon, 22 June 1978 – 16 October 201118/10/2011
On 16 October the world lost another of racing’s good guys as Dan Wheldon was killed in a multiple-car crash on the 11th lap of the IndyCar World Championships at the Las Vegas Speedway, the final round of the 2011 season.
Unable to avoid an accident that was unfolding ahead of him, he got airborne and hit the wall heavily in turn two in a crash all too reminiscent of Greg Moore’s 12 years ago.
Born in Oxfordshire, UK in 1978, Dan moved his racing focus to America in 1999, unable as he was to find budget to match his talent at home. There his career blossomed. He finished second overall in his IRL debut in 2001, finished second overall twice in IndyCar, once on a tie-break in 2006, and was the IndyCar Series World Champion in 2005. He also took his first of two Indy 500 victories in 2005 and amassed a total of 16 wins as he established himself as a much-loved character within the tight-knit IndyCar community.
He was not a regular contender in this season’s IndyCar Series, which made it all the more impressive when he won the 2011 Indianapolis 500 on a one-off contract with Bryan Herta Autosport and Sam Schmidt Motorsport.
The race at Las Vegas Speedway was red-flagged after the accident and the remainder cancelled out of respect. In honour of his life and achievements, the IndyCar field conducted a teary and emotional five-lap parade. The 33-year old Briton is survived by his wife Susie and children Sebastian and Oliver.
A close friend to many, including newly-crowned 2011 IndyCar champion, compatriot and past teammate Dario Franchitti, his passing will leave a void in the hearts and minds of many.
"Right now I'm numb and speechless" said Dario. "One minute you're joking around in driver intros and the next he's gone. He was 6 years old when I first met him. We put so much pressure on ourselves to win races and championships and today it doesn't matter."
Racing is a love and passion we none of us can escape, an all-encompassing pursuit of perfection, one in which heroes are made, but where they can just as fickly be snatched from us. Sometimes it can be bitterly cruel beyond words.
Bridgestone Motorsport and Firestone would like to express our deepest condolences to the Wheldon family, Sam Schmidt Motorsports, to all his friends and supporters the world over, and to the IndyCar family who are mourning the tragic loss of a huge talent and a great friend.
"The Firestone Racing team is deeply saddened by the death of Dan Wheldon. We have very fond memories of celebrating with Dan at Indianapolis following his win this year, and he was a true champion” said Al Speyer, Executive Director, Firestone Racing. "Recently, we had been working very closely with Dan on the development of the 2012 IndyCar. His passion for the sport was evident every day and he worked endlessly to do the best he could at everything he did. We extend our sympathies to his family, to his team, and to his many friends and fans. He was a talented competitor on the track who will be long remembered by all who had the privilege of working with and knowing him."
As Ric Moore said after his son Greg lost his life in the CART World Series race at the California Speedway in Fontana on October 31 1999, "What happened Sunday was beyond everybody but God's control. He loved life and life loved him. And most people in two lifetimes would not have the memories that he took with him."
Dan, we thank you for the memories you’ve given us. Long and bright will they remain.
A special memorial page has been setup: http://www.danwheldonmemorial.com/
