Zanardi wants to race in the Indy 500...
Zanardi wants to race in the Indy 500...
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Life Saab Itch

Original Poster:

37,069 posts

217 months

Tuesday 28th August 2012
quotequote all
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102023

Autosport said:
Alex Zanardi eyes Indianapolis 500 bow
By Michele Lostia and Jonathan Noble Tuesday, August 28th 2012, 15:59 GMT


Alex Zanardi is interested in racing in the Indianapolis 500 - an event he never took part in despite his success in the United States.

The former grand prix driver, who lost his legs in a Champ Car crash at the Lausitzring in 2001, is about to compete for Italy in the handbike categories at the London Paralympics next month.

And although fully focused on his current ambitions, Zanardi says he is open to a return to racing for the first time since 2009 - either in a top-line series like DTM or in a big event like the Indy 500.

"To be honest at the moment I'm totally focused on the handbike," he told Italian magazine Autosprint. "Obviously, should I be offered a drive, perhaps in DTM, that would be super cool.

"I'm not sure about [world] touring cars: maybe I'd accept immediately, after all I had some great times in the WTCC, but now it would seem like a step backwards.

"Now, this is just a theory, but should someone like Morris Nunn call me, it would be easier for me to do the Indy 500, as there isn't too much braking or tight curves."

Zanardi's Paralympic efforts will be concentrated at race track Brands Hatch, where he will be competing in time trial, road race and team relay events.

Beyond this summer's games, Zanardi says his future plans are open - and that he could even end up doing something totally different rather than racing.

"What I do now is the result of completely random events: more randomness could make me go other ways again," he said.

"But my luck has been to realise how exceptional what I am doing is. A medal in London would be a nice way to end a period of my life, but I've enjoyed every minute of what I've already done to get there.
What a top bloke.

I hope he gets a drive that he wants.

PabloTeK

1,073 posts

204 months

Wednesday 29th August 2012
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The man is hard as nails! Good luck to him I say, I don't think I could get back into an IndyCar/CART car after an accident like his...

Hartge220

960 posts

226 months

Wednesday 29th August 2012
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20 months after his crash at the Lausitzring

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8GLzCAI0cM

Inspirational guy, hope he gets the chance thumbup

DanDC5

19,991 posts

196 months

Wednesday 29th August 2012
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As well as being a huge inspiration, even after his accident he never seemed to lose his speed in a car.

Vocal Minority

8,582 posts

181 months

Wednesday 29th August 2012
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On that 13 lap run, wasn't his fastest lap fast enough to put him 5th on the grid for that years race? Whilst presumably rusty, and not used to the hand controls.

If I had a car for the Indy 500, I would hire him to do it this afternoon.

Now just to find the car. And all of the money.

CBR JGWRR

6,581 posts

178 months

Wednesday 29th August 2012
quotequote all
Vocal Minority said:
On that 13 lap run, wasn't his fastest lap fast enough to put him 5th on the grid for that years race? Whilst presumably rusty, and not used to the hand controls.

If I had a car for the Indy 500, I would hire him to do it this afternoon.

Now just to find the car. And all of the money.
Car here possibly.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1658403.htm


FourWheelDrift

92,237 posts

313 months

Thursday 30th August 2012
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If he's not got a car to race he could drive the two seater pace car that Mario Andretti usually pedals around in front of the pack for the first couple of pace laps.

Vocal Minority

8,582 posts

181 months

Wednesday 5th September 2012
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Bumpity bump

Alex goes in the hand cycling time trial at 15.10 today.

anonymous-user

83 months

Wednesday 5th September 2012
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Dont think its being shown anywhere though. Not on 1 of the "dedicated" paralympic sport channels anyways.

Streps

2,457 posts

195 months

Wednesday 5th September 2012
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Winner!
finished 27secs ahead of the competition apparently.
Hope he enjoys the gold.

incredible achievement.



Edited by Streps on Wednesday 5th September 16:01

Mini1275

11,098 posts

211 months

Wednesday 5th September 2012
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Absolutely incredible achievement (for all athletes, actually) clap.

Vocal Minority

8,582 posts

181 months

Wednesday 5th September 2012
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woohoo!

Edited by Vocal Minority on Wednesday 5th September 16:19

FourWheelDrift

92,237 posts

313 months

Wednesday 5th September 2012
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Gad-Westy

16,533 posts

242 months

Wednesday 5th September 2012
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Just seen this. Incredible achievement. He's rapidly becoming one of my all time sporting heroes.

Allyc85

7,225 posts

215 months

Wednesday 5th September 2012
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Amazing! What a true legend! biggrin

Old Merc

3,807 posts

196 months

Wednesday 5th September 2012
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He`s not finished yet!! Check out on Friday 7th,Men`s individual H4 road race at 16.30,lets hope he gets another Gold. Well done Alex.

ferrisbueller

30,307 posts

256 months

Wednesday 5th September 2012
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Fantastic achievement. Very humbling.

Jazoli

9,639 posts

279 months

Wednesday 5th September 2012
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I've just finished his autobiography, what an amazing man he is, you can only be humbled by what he has achieved.

Desiato

960 posts

312 months

Wednesday 5th September 2012
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Just got home from this, was absolutely fantastic, as was the rest of the day.

Life Saab Itch

Original Poster:

37,069 posts

217 months

Wednesday 5th September 2012
quotequote all
Streps said:
Winner!
finished 27secs ahead of the competition apparently.
Hope he enjoys the gold.

incredible achievement.



Edited by Streps on Wednesday 5th September 16:01
Good stuff.

A proper inspiration.