Two lives were taken in as many weeks this month in motorsports. Moto GP rider Marco Simoncelli died on the 23rd from injuries sustained during a horrific crash. He was 24 years old.
Excerpt's from Wikipedia: On 23 October 2011, Simoncelli was involved in an accident with Colin Edward and Valentino Rossi during the 2011 Malaysian GP at the Sepang Internation Circut. In fourth position during lap two, Simoncelli's bike lost traction in Turn 11 and started to slide toward the gravel. Somehow, the tires found traction and straightened itself up and suddenly veered across the track into the path of Edward and Rossi, with Simoncelli hanging on, on the right side.
Edwards was injured with a dislocated shoulder, while Simoncelli lay still on the track after the crash, his helmet having come off during the incident. The race was immediately red-flagged. Simoncelli was taken by ambulance to the circuit's medical centre, but at 16:56 local time it was announced that he had died from his injuries. Later, at a press conference involving members of the MotoGP Race Direction, Medical Director Michele Macchiagodena said that Simoncelli sustained "a very serious trauma to the head, to the neck and the chest", and was administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation for 45 minutes.
And Indy car driver Dan Wheldon who died last week during a terriable crash as well.
At the 2011 IZOD IndyCar World Championship at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on 16 October 2011, Wheldon was involved in a 15-car accident during lap 11 of the race.[14] The multi-car pileup resulted in a red flag.[15][16][17] Wheldon had to be extricated from his car and was airlifted to a local hospital with what were described as "serious injuries."[18] He subsequently succumbed to his injuries at 1:54 PDT.[19] He was 33 years old.[20][21]
The IndyCar officials and drivers decided that the race would be abandoned, and that a five-lap salute would be held in Wheldon's honour, with his number 77 being displayed alone at the top of the scoring pylon.[17] He had been the only driver participating in Go Daddy's IndyCar Challenge where he and a randomly selected fan, Ann Babenco, would have been eligible for $2.5 million each if he won the race, starting from last place.[22][23]
An autopsy conducted on 17 October 2011 concluded that Wheldon died of blunt force trauma to the head.[24]
After Wheldon's death, Michael Andretti revealed that Wheldon had signed with Andretti Autosport for a multi-year deal to replace driver Danica Patrick starting in the 2012 season,[25]which would have seen him return to the team with which he had achieved his greatest success in IndyCar.[citation needed]
On 18 October, Italian manufacturer Dallara confirmed that the 2012 series car would be named after Wheldon in honour of his work testing the car.
I have many friends that race motorcycles and cars, and I can tell you that we all know the risk associated with this type of sport, it is dangerous. One of my friends is actually considering hanging up his leathers after seeing Marco's crash. I can tell you one thing though, if they die doing it, it was doing something they loved.
RIP Marco and Dan
RIP Marco and Dan
Both deaths are extremely tragic. But these men were doing something that they loved and was a part of their lives. Being able to follow your passion made them who they were. My heart does break for their families, though.
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