R.I.P. Dan Wheldon

  • Thread starter HaylRayzor
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mastretta_mx
R.I.P. Dan

Translation: "I hope you don't mind the next words while we hear this applauses in salute to Dan Wheldon, but this teach us to anyone out here, for everyone than listen to me; enjoy of your life, enjoy everything in your life, enjoy who you are, enjoy of your family, enjoy of your job, and enjoy every dawn and every day because as we realize, the life is so fragile and as human beings we always are complaining about the things we do not like, but this show us than we have to enjoy every moment, thank you Dan Wheldon, rest in peace"

:( R.I.P. Dan Wheldon
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Reading this sent a chill down my spine. This is a massively tragic accident. One driver's mistake cause the fatality of a great. Truly devastating, especially for his young children, one just six months old will never speak to their own father, and Dan's wife, Sue will never... You get the point, I can't possibly feel the sadness that has been and is yet to be expressed for Dan's family, and friends. And his fans. You will be remembered as one of the Sport's Greats. RIP Dan.
 
Don't follow Indycar that much so I just learned of this now. It's a terrible way for a driver of any motorsport category to go. R.I.P.
 
R.I.P., Dan Wheldon. 1978-2011. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, his fans, the Indycar community, and the rest of the motorsports community.

As a fan of Motorsports since I was in diapers (1985, maybe early '86), I have seen some some nasty wrecks. Even ones less violent and horrific wrecks than this one that have taken some great drivers away from us. I wasn't all that much into Indycar when the Senna tragedy happened, but I remember it vividly.

That being said, with the 26 years I have been watching motorsports, this is probably the most violent and horrific crash I have EVER seen and something I do not EVER want to see again!

This is the 4th motorsport tragedy that has truely brought tears to my eyes. The prior three being Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr. (NASCAR, 2001), Scott Kalitta (NHRA, 2008), and Matthew Marker (WRC/SCCA/Rally America, 2011). All were lost too young and either at the prime, or before the prime of their careers/lives.

But, with all forms of motorsports, every time before the drivers put on their helmets and buckle up, they know the risk that comes with what they love, and they know that even with the safety features being implemented with every passing day, there is always that possibility that comes with the risk.

Regardless of fellow GTP members view on issues such as religion, I do truely believe that all great legends of motorsports who are no longer with us are now racing on the oval tracks, drag strips, arena tracks for trucks, and any other tracks that god or any other respective deity has for them in the heavens.
 
I'm not a follower of Indy Car myself but I'm truely saddened by this news and the loss of a life, leaving behind a young family too. My thoughts are with them all.

Sad times :(
 
RIP Dan. You were a great driver and a great person. I'm glad I got the chance to meet you last year's Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma. And I'm glad I got to watch you race IndyCars for the past 10 years.
 
Yep, quite a shock waking up to this news. You get kind of used to the safety in motor sport these days. This brings it all home again. Feeling for his wife and kids.
 
axletramp
Yep, quite a shock waking up to this news. You get kind of used to the safety in motor sport these days. This brings it all home again. Feeling for his wife and kids.
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I never cared about danger until I became a father. My thoughts are with his wife and children. At times like this I appreciate the fact my job will never result in my child having no father. So tragic.

RIP Dan.
 
I'm still impressed no one else died. Especially Powers with his flight. R.I.P. Wheldon. And get well soon to Pippa Mann and JR Hildebrand.
 
Having been a good friend of Mark Dismore, and still am, i've met Dan many many times. I was woken up this morning (I race in Japan now) by my parents calling me. At first I thought she was kidding, and that this was some sick joke. But then I started checking the news and it slowly became a reality. Can't even begin to describe the emotions that went through me then, and still are going through me. The world lost one hell of a guy today, and just happened to be a good racer as well.


7176623_892785875_221large copy by shintastic48, on Flickr

my facebook status:

"The world can be a cruel place sometimes. Actually, a lot of times. Why they would make the greatest sport on the planet, also one of the most dangerous is beyond me. And it has bitten yet again today. There really isn't a way to describe Dan. He's just one of those guys that nobody hated, everyone loved, and was one hell of a race car driver. He will go down in my list of greats to leave this world far far too early. A great inspiration to me, and in my opinion is going on the same level as Senna. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family, wife, and everyone who is hurting on this day. R.I.P."
 
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Kamuifanboy
Having been a mentor of Mark Dismore, and still am, i've met Dan many many times. I was woken up this morning (I race in Japan now) by my parents calling me. At first I thought she was kidding, and that this was some sick joke. But then I started checking the news and it slowly became a reality. Can't even begin to describe the emotions that went through me then, and still are going through me. The world lost one hell of a guy today, and just happened to be a good racer as well.


7176623_892785875_221large copy by shintastic48, on Flickr

my facebook status:

"The world can be a cruel place sometimes. Actually, a lot of times. Why they would make the greatest sport on the planet, also one of the most dangerous is beyond me. And it has bitten yet again today. There really isn't a way to describe Dan. He's just one of those guys that nobody hated, everyone loved, and was one hell of a race car driver. He will go down in my list of greats to leave this world far far too early. A great inspiration to me, and in my opinion is going on the same level as Senna. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family, wife, and everyone who is hurting on this day. R.I.P."
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Wow, you mentor Mark Dismore? I used to live in Greenfield, Indiana where the Dismore family is. I met Mark, I've been to his kart shop, I did tech work for his family. You will never find a better family that means a lot to the community and is respected in the business. That said, I am sorry you had to hear about the loss of Dan in the way you did. We lost a friend and a champion today.
 
BuddhaRock
Wow, you mentor Mark Dismore? I used to live in Greenfield, Indiana where the Dismore family is. I met Mark, I've been to his kart shop, I did tech work for his family. You will never find a better family that means a lot to the community and is respected in the business. That said, I am sorry you had to hear about the loss of Dan in the way you did. We lost a friend and a champion today.
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Maybe I wrote that first part incorrectly. Like he teaches me. ect ect. I began karting the first year New Castle Motorsports Park opened. And Mark and Jr. have looked after my karting and now my car racing for years now. They have helped me get to where I am now. And it's just stunning to me what has happened, and the Dismore family is really in shock. I had to work up some courage to talk to him today.

re worded it a bit.
 
Kamuifanboy
Maybe I wrote that first part incorrectly. Like he teaches me. ect ect. I began karting the first year New Castle Motorsports Park opened. And Mark and Jr. have looked after my karting and now my car racing for years now. They have helped me get to where I am now. And it's just stunning to me what has happened, and the Dismore family is really in shock. I had to work up some courage to talk to him today.

re worded it a bit.
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Ah, that works too. You couldn't ask for a better mentor. I'm sure he could give you a lot of insight into what happened yesterday, not just as a driver but he himself had a pretty terrible accident at Indy a few years back as well. It's never a pleasant thing to deal with or talk about, but if he is your mentor? He can tell you everything you want to and need to know, and he will be there to offer you all the comfort that you need. He is a great man, every bit as great as Dan Wheldon.
 
BuddhaRock
Ah, that works too. You couldn't ask for a better mentor. I'm sure he could give you a lot of insight into what happened yesterday, not just as a driver but he himself had a pretty terrible accident at Indy a few years back as well. It's never a pleasant thing to deal with or talk about, but if he is your mentor? He can tell you everything you want to and need to know, and he will be there to offer you all the comfort that you need. He is a great man, every bit as great as Dan Wheldon.
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Yeah he did actually. Told me some things that were really life changing.

I'm very proud to have him teaching me, he was one of the most persistent drivers. He got a ride because of never giving up. Even after he is done with his professional career, he goes and helps the grass roots. Builds an amazing kart shop, with an amazing kart facility. Something I plan on following in my future.
 
Kamuifanboy
Yeah he did actually. Told me some things that were really life changing.

I'm very proud to have him teaching me, he was one of the most persistent drivers. He got a ride because of never giving up. Even after he is done with his professional career, he goes and helps the grass roots. Builds an amazing kart shop, with an amazing kart facility. Something I plan on following in my future.
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Keep it up. With people like Mark Dismore and yourself involved, the racing business is in good hands. Good luck to you my friend.
 
Open wheel pack racing at 230MPH is way too dangerous and I hope IZOD Indy Car series cancels most of the ovals in the line up because of this. They should just race at Indianapolis, and the rest on road courses.

R.I.P Dan Wheldon
 
BuddhaRock
Keep it up. With people like Mark Dismore and yourself involved, the racing business is in good hands. Good luck to you my friend.
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Thank you very much! I'm going to need it. Not having much money to start with in this day and age is very difficult. But it doesn't mean you shouldn't try to do something that you love. And in the light of things. Dan left us doing something he loved. Much respect.
 
This situation has me all messed up. I know I didn't know the guy but I had nightmares all night and since I've woken up this morning all I can think of is my own mortality and all the things I need to change in my own life.
 

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