Wednesday 22nd January 2014

Alex Zanardi returns to motorsport

GT3 racing now on the agenda for Zanardi after his Paralympic gold

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It is with great pleasure that we can announce Alex Zanardi will make his motorsport comeback in 2014. He will contest in six of this year's seven Blancpain GT Sprint Series races in a specially prepared BMW Z4 GT3 run by the ROAL Motorsport team.

Zanardi will race in the 2014 Blancpain Sprint Series

Zanardi hasn't raced in a competitive motorsport season since 2009, his only track experience an M3 DTM drive in 2012 as he focused on his Paralympic career. Zanardi himself said: "Even after leaving the sport in 2009, I was still a racing driver at heart. When I took to the track in the BMW M3 DTM at the end of 2012, I immediately got itchy fingers again... I am even more pleased that it has worked out with my old friends at ROAL Motorsport. I would like to say a big thank you to BMW for this unique opportunity." 

Zanardi has a long relationship with BMW and ROAL, the latter run by Roberto Ravaglia, thanks to his time in World Touring Cars. Ravaglia added: "Alex and I have gone through so much together in motorsport. Therefore, I obviously did not hesitate when the opportunity arose to send him back into action for ROAL Motorsport in 2014"

The Blancpain Sprint Series features seven hour-long races, starting at Nogaro in April. PH wishes Alex Zanardi all the best in his latest motorsport adventure.

 

[Cupradan]

What a guy

[FWDRacer]

If you look up brave in the dictionary there is just a picture of Zanardi.

[quigonjay]

theres no stopping him
no doubt he will be competitive as hell too
hope we get to see this series on sky or such like, would love to see alex racing again

[thechosenfamily]

I put this up yesterday as a thread.

I had the pleasure of seeing him compete at Brands Hatch at the 2012 paralympics and was in awe at his achievements.

A true inspiration to all and when the series visits Brands this year there is only going to be one guy I will be cheering for.

[guru_1071]

good effort

my favourite memories of the Paralympics was seen alex zanardi doing so well at brands hatch


a true sporting hero

[boringbeige]

Doesn't he look proud as punch in that new race suit?
I used to love watching him race Cart on the street circuits, will defo be watching him this year.

[thechosenfamily]

If you needed any further reason to admire the man read this article which describes how he pushed and pulled a fellow athlete in trouble to the end of the race to ensure he finished.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport...

[Nico G]

Saw this on our internal BMW Intranet earlier and meant to post the article.

Bloody fanatastic!

I remember reading a quote from him many years ago now, where he said his motivation to walk again was in order to do so with his Son on his shoulders...

The guy didn't exactly stop there did he!

<doffs caps>

[Zammy]

Cupradan said:

What a guy

Don't need to say anything else!

[gforceg]

Great news!

[scubadude]

If they could bottle this guys determination it would be priceless- respect (Do the kids still say that?)

[spaximus]

This is the sort of inspirational man we need to make more of. The accident that nearly took his life would have crushed others, but not him.
There is an article in the Mail of a young woman with no hands who is a world class jewllery designer who makes everything her self.

These type of people are made of the right stuff and when I hear of people saying it is too hard to do X Y Z they should be forced to read about these types of people who let nothing get in their way. When you see people who won't work because they have bad back, it makes me mad

[m8rky]

I wish him well, a truly inspirational man.

[markoc]

Wow. Just wow. Makes me embarrased at the things I've declared that "I just can't do" and given up on.

Incredible triumph out of adversity, both as a driver, athlete and human being.

[Dave Hedgehog]

superb news, i really hope he is able to shine

[jimed]

What a guy! I'm sure he'll do well.
Jim

[forzaminardi]

The term is used too much these days, but Zanardi truly is a legend. A fantastic character, and a brilliant driver too.

[Paul Dishman]

FWDRacer said:

If you look up brave in the dictionary there is just a picture of Zanardi.

Beside the picture of Niki Lauda

[Limpet]

I don't really "do" hero worship, but for this man I make an exception. A true inspiration and role model.

His attitude is best summarised by his return to the Lausitzring in 2003. Despite losing both legs (and almost his life) in an horrific crash there 2 years earlier he not only got back in a Champ Car at the same circuit to complete the final 13 laps that he missed, but set lap times fast enough for 5th on the grid had he been qualifying for the race.

And a thoroughly nice chap to boot.

[blearyeyedboy]

We've all looked at threads about PH Heroes, right? They're just about cars.

THIS is a thread about a real PH Hero. Bravo.