 Dan Wheldon after his Indianapolis 500 victory in May |
There has been a sad build-up to this weekend’s Armor All Gold Coast 600 with the tragic death of English driver Dan Wheldon in the final round of the IZOD IndyCar Series in Las Vegas this morning.
33-year-old Wheldon, who was set to drive with his good mate James Courtney in a Toll Holden Racing Team Commodore at this weekend’s race, was involved in a 15-car pile-up just 12 laps into the 200-lap race. |
Australian driver Will Power was also involved and although he walked from the accident after becoming spectacularly airborne at more than 300kph, was later taken to hospital with a lower back complaint.
Power is due to co-drive with Mark Winterbottom in the #5 Orrcon Steel Ford Performance Racing Falcon this weekend. He has since been discharged from hospital.
The other IndyCar drivers making the trip to this weekend’s event – Tony Kanaan, Alex Tagliani, Helio Castroneves and Ryan Briscoe escaped uninjured.
The race was red-flagged and after a two-hour delay was cancelled and the drivers who had cars capable completed a five-lap tribute to Wheldon.
Wheldon won this year’s Indianapolis 500 for a second time in a one-off drive and was competing in only his third IndyCar race of the season before heading to Australia for a V8 Supercar test on Wednesday at Queensland Raceway and then the weekend’s races.
Wheldon is survived by his wife Susie, two year-old son Sebastian and seven month-old son Oliver.
A decision on Wheldon’s replacement and other other possible changes will be made in the next 24 to 48 hours.
V8 Supercars Chairman Tony Cochrane paid tribute to Wheldon.
“This is a very sad day for the motorsport community worldwide,” said Cochrane.
“We were looking forward to having Dan at our event this weekend, racing with his good mate James (Courtney).
“He was a fan of V8 Supercars and was looking forward to the opportunity of racing one of our cars at the Gold Coast – which was one of his favourite events.
“The entire V8 Supercar community is shocked and greatly saddened with this news and we offer our deepest sympathy and support to his family and friends as well as the entire Indycar racing community.”
V8 Supercars Champion, James Courtney – who was a good friend of Wheldon’s – echoed Cochrane’s sentiments.
“Dan and I first met in the mid-90s and have been great friends ever since,” said Courtney. “I’m sure I join with the entire V8 Supercar community and send our wishes to his family. We’ll of course band together and make sure they are looked after.
“Being a father of a young family myself, I’m finding that aspect hard to deal with.”
Courtney said the accident will spur him on this weekend.
“This is what we do as a profession and an incident like this brings the dangers home,” added Courtney. “The first thing that I want to do is get out there and go racing for Dan.”
Marino Franchitti – who will partner Warren Luff in this weekend’s race – started racing karts on the very same day as Wheldon and was watching this morning from Courtney’s house.
His brother, Dario was in the Las Vegas race and was crowned IZOD IndyCar Series Champion.
“Our hearts go out to Dan’s family,” said Franchitti. “He won’t be defined by what he did on the track but as a person – we’ve had some fun times together.
“I’m sure the whole motorsport community will rally around Dan’s family.”
DAN WHELDON
Born: June 22, 1978
Place: Emberton, England
Lives: St. Petersburg, Florida
Status: Wife, Susie
Children: Sebastian & Oliver
Career Highlights:
• 2001 Rookie of the Year Indy Lights Championship
• 2003 IndyCar Rookie of the Year
• 2005 IndyCar Championship Winner
• 2005, 2011 Indy500 Winner
* He drove the 2008 Indycar race on the Gold Coast and finished 11th for Panther Racing.