Monday 17th October 2016

Zanardi wins in GT3!

Superhero Alex Zanardi returns from Paralympic gold to a racing car, wins again...

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What is there that Alex Zanardi can't do? This weekend he made his debut in a specially modified BMW M6 GT3 at Mugello, the final round of the Italian GT championship. A year after he last raced a car - he took a break to win another three (!) Paralympic medals - Zanardi finished sixth in Saturday's race; on Sunday he won.

Well done Alex!

Think about that as an achievement. Not only getting back into motorsport after such a time, but driving a brand new car as well. Without the use of your legs. Alex Zanardi will not give up!

He had qualified third for Sunday's race, promoted to second when the car in that position was damaged. He had taken the lead by the time he had to pit, which he maintained to the chequered flag.

"There are no words to describe what I feel", said Zanardi, "to win the race is something else. I did not have the start I wanted, but I had a great car underneath me. So I knew it was just a question of putting in some good laps as soon as the guys in front of me pitted, and that is what I did." Simple as that, right? This ahead of his 50th birthday next weekend...

As yet Zanardi's next motorsport move isn't known. But with the special livery created for his Olympic success, his birthday and BMW Italy's 50th anniversary, surely this car/driver combo needs to see another race. Bring on 2017.

[j90gta]

Any superlatives used to describe him are not misplaced. A remarkable human being that we should all look up to and an inspiration to us all.

[baldy1926]

A true hero and genteman

[ZX10R NIN]

This man is a true Legend.

[MDMA .]

8 World Championships, 4 Gold Olympic medals, now this. true grit and determination. deserves it all. plenty would have given up after an accident he had. came back stronger than he was.

[rtz62]

I'd suggest that he isn't a hero, but rather a superhero. And an amazing human being.
A better man than me, I genuinely salute him for his determination and achievements, both at the olympics and in Motorsport.
If he were British, I'd suggest he be put forward for a knighthood, so perhaps an Honourany Knighthood should be suggested by Theresa May?

[adl14]

Staggering accomplishments. An irrefutable legend and a great embodiment of the human spirit

[leglessAlex]

I'm not really one for having personal heros, but if it was be anyone it would be Alex. Same name, same injury and massive, massive achievements. The guy is incredible.

[Limpet]

One of the most inspirational human beings alive, in my opinion, and another incredible achievement.

For me though, for sheer mental strength and defiance, nothing tops his final 13 laps at the Lausitzring, 2 years after that terrible accident, where instead of the ceremonial parade that was planned, he went flat out and put in a lap time good enough for 5th on the grid for that weekend's race.

People like this are one in a million. A genuine hero.

[redroadster]

Anyone feeling sorry for themselves should read about this guy just uplifting .

[Jex]

See
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAXBOcv6AS4

[Trabi601]

Really nice bloke - he did some work for us at Goodwood and I had the pleasure of being seated at the next table to him in the hotel for breakfast.

One of the highlights of my year was when he got up from the table, said 'see you later' to me in front of a packed breakfast room

[Jellyfish]

What an inspirational man.

[big_rob_sydney]

And to top it all off, he's a genuinely nice bloke.

[Chris Stott]

Inspirational.

[Darryl247W]

The man's an inspiration.

[MG Mark]

Epic. Awesome. Inspirational. And how uplifting to read that.

MG Mark

[Bricol]

I was working in the US 10 yrs or so ago, and rummaging around a book shop when two middle aged ladies came in. On TV the night before there had been a programme about him, and they had mentioned the book he wrote/co-wrote after his accident and how he coped and got on with life and they really wanted to know more about him. They weren't motorsport fans, but were genuinely moved by the guy. I had the book (it is excellent) and was able to point it out to them.

An amazing story that put an awful lot of my petty whinges into rather severe perspective, and still does.

[Steve vRS]

I wish I had 0.000001% of his guts and determination.

Steve

[Ozzie Osmond]

Good on him.

I was at the CART race at Rockingham, UK the week after his accident. Astounding.

CART = Champ Cars = at that time one of the American "F1 equivalent" open wheel series.

[Amizade]

They do say you should never meet your heroes - Mr Zanardi is the extreme exception to the rule - I was waiting for the same transport link & could not resist saying hello - we had a brief chat regarding motorsport and he was charming & a total gentleman.