Justin Wilson Remembered

[MacGWC]

The Indy Car race at Pocono on Monday 22nd August (rained off on the Sunday) was also the first anniversary of the sad death of Justin Wilson at Pocono the year before. He was not forgotten.

Union Flags, at half mast, were along the whole pit lane and many of the participants were wearing Union Flag stockings as part of the many, many mentions of Justin during commentary over the weekend. The stockings were apparently made by a company with whom Justin had some sort of a relationship. Even controversial Indy commentator, Robin Miller, was sporting a pair, under his “It Ain’t Half Hot, Mum” shorts.

The following weekend, the rained off Texas race was re-run, won by Graham Rahal in an exciting final battle with James Hinchcliffe. The gap was .008 seconds! Graham mentioned Justin in his winner’s address and, in a TV programme on his own racing career, Graham paid emotional tribute to Justin Wilson – “the driver everyone liked and trusted to race against”.

Next weekend was Watkins Glen, where Scott Dixon won another exciting Indy Car race – and immediately donated his winnings to the Justin Wilson’s Children’s Fund.

Justin was clearly a popular figure on the Indy Car scene – “Gone but not forgotten”.

We understand Justin’s wife has remained in the USA for now, so as not to upset their daughters’ education. She speaks regularly with Suzy Wheldon, widow of Dan Wheldon, another very popular Brit on the Indy Car scene who died in an equally freakish accident on track.

These last three Indy Car races, over successive weekends, were as good as any single-seater racing I have seen over many years – more exciting to watch than some of the dreary F1 races we see currently. The sheer speed of the cars coming off the final corner of Pocono’s “tricky tri-oval” is a sight to behold. Why it is not more popular in the USA I do not know.

Simon and Philippa from BMMC Midlands region were at the Watkins Glen race – maybe they have some idea why? They were also, like June and I, shareholders and supporters of Justin Wilson plc!

George

[deadsquirrel]

What a great post, George.

We were indeed - Philippa at Turn 2 (bottom of the uphill sweeper into the esses, me at Turn 5 (exit of bus stop chicane).

We remember Justin at the races with flags we had made - and they always get a positive reaction at the track.

I too struggle with Indycars popularity - or lack of it. The Watkins Glen race was amazing. We went to the Seneca Lodge after the race for dinner, and to experience the bar there, which has laurel wreaths from winners at the track since the F1 days. We were talking to a lady who threw Emmerson Fittipaldi out from the basement after she allegdly caught him smoking certain unpermitted substances. We sat at a table next to Ryan Hunter Ray, with no minders, and he happily signed autographs from respectful and knowledgable fans (imagine that in F1?)