Remembering the good times…

“How lucky I am, to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
– A. A. Milne

We are so lucky to have this amazing sport, and these amazing drivers to cheer on, and root against, and champion and befriend.
But some days, it doesn’t feel that lucky does it?

October, especially after this year, will be forever plagued by sadness and remembrance of young lives lost too soon.
#lionheart #ironmanmike #redglovesrule
But it will also prompt us moving forward to look back on the happy times and memories, which will eventually outweigh the devastating feelings of loss.

Motorsports writer Andy Hallbery has done just that this year, as we mark the 12th anniversary of the death of Canadian open wheel phenom Greg Moore, looking back on some of the personal, funny and mostly mischievous memories still held so dear by those closest to him at the time, and still missing him to this day.

Max Papis, Tony Kanaan, Dario Franchitti, Greg Moore

Greg Moore, part 1. Mark Webber remembers
http://www.motorsportretro.com/2011/10/greg-moore/

Greg Moore part two: A day in the life – five go mad in Florida
http://www.motorsportretro.com/2011/10/greg-moore-2/

Max Papis: “Superheroes always wear red gloves”
http://www.motorsportretro.com/2011/10/max-papis-greg-moore/

Remembering Greg Moore: Champ Car’s Brat Pack having the time of their lives
http://www.motorsportretro.com/2011/10/greg-moore-99/

Greg Moore, Part 5: From the Heart
http://www.motorsportretro.com/2011/11/greg-moore-crash/

Thanks to all that contributed their stories and memories and especially to Andy at http://www.motorsportretro.com for writing them up and sharing them with all of us

Here’s a link to my post on the 10th anniversary, with additional video and story links

Red gloves still rule…

At just 24, Greg Moore was a shining star, both on and off the track. Extremely gifted, mature beyond his years, and well liked and respected by everyone in the paddock… the surface had barely been scratched on his potential.

Just weeks before his tragic death, he had announced that he had signed with Penske Racing for the following season. One can only wistfully imagine what he would have accomplished in the years ahead…

In this day and age where drivers & teams make headlines for cheating, and petulant tantrums, and litigation, and mug shots, it makes looking back on what happened and what might have been an even more bitter pill to swallow.

Always composed, always gracious, always smiling.
Gone in an instant. Remembered forever.

Greg Moore: A Racer’s Story Part 1

Greg Moore: A Racer’s Story Part 2

Greg Moore: A Racer’s Story Part 3

Greg Moore: A Racer’s Story Part 4

Greg Moore: A Racer’s Story Part 5

Greg Moore: A Racer’s Story Part 6

The heartbreaking crash and live broadcast announcement

ESPN tribute on the day of the accident

Awesome tribute with tons of race footage

a different perspective…

It’s the middle of the night in Australia… and I’m impatiently waiting for some on track action… and I’m bored… so I’m blogging. Sue me. Oh and a shout out to the folks at Penskeracing Forum and Dooberville Forum. (what the hell is a doober anyway??)

Anyhoo…
So, many of you, like myself, probably watched the 2002 Surfers Paradise race this week, reminded of that terrifying crash at the beginning of the race.

I saw it unfold live. I watched it over and over again in clips for weeks following. It still gives me chills.
We were very lucky that day.

Today I was sent this link of the crash from a different angle. Holy fuck. Seriously. The overhead and onboard cameras did not convey just how insane that crash was.

Now I’m not one to post crash footage. But no one was seriously injured (thankfully) and it’s really incredible to see it from the perspective of the fans in the grandstand.

Here’s the footage we’ve all seen (no audio on this)

Now here is the new footage.

Un.be.lievable. You never saw from the original footage just how airborne Tags got or the barrel rolls. No wonder it took him a little longer to unstrap from his car.

I’ll say it again. We were so lucky that day.

Here’s hoping for a safe and sunny race this weekend.

drive by observation…

So, apparently there is a snow??? delay in Atlanta, and Speed is running some retro Nascar. Basically the cars are blank except for the giant numbers.

Now they are giant ad billboards.

A few days ago I was watching some retro CART. Basically the cars were giant ad billboards!

Now they are blank except for the giant numbers…

Let’s hope this amalgasorptification brings an end to empty sidepods and pretend sponsors.