Goodbye Dan Wheldon.

It’s taken me a while to think of what to write in my blog about what happened in Las Vegas last weekend. I’m not going to sit here and say that I’m an intense follower of the IndyCar series, because I’m not, but I have a good idea of what’s going on mainly through Twitter feeds and magazine articles.
     I remember reading about this year’s Indy 500 race and feeling so proud to be British because Dan Wheldon had won in an emotional victory. I’d heard about the final of the series heading to Las Vegas and read about Wheldon’s quest to win from the back of the field for a large sum of money, which was to be shared between himself and a competition winner.
      After an exciting day, having watched the Korean Formula One race and the finale of the BTCC at Silverstone on the TV, I settled down to write some reports on what had gone on during the day – never expected to be writing this one four days later.
     When I’d heard through Twitter that there had been a horrific crash in Las Vegas, my heart sank. I quickly found a live feed to watch the aftermath and to ensure that the drivers involved were all okay – that was the factor I was most concerned about.
     When confirmation broke of Dan Wheldon’s condition after the accident, I waited and hoped for any glimmer of light from the ABC commentators – who were doing a great job in holding the broadcast together in a time of somewhat desperation.
     The wait seemed endless...
     Nearly two hours after the event and a dodgy connection on my internet I was forced to close down my laptop and I asked my Twitter followers to keep me updated on Dan’s condition. At that time, nobody really knew what was going on, only that something wasn’t right.
     Just before going to sleep, my phone flashed. I don’t really know how I felt when I picked it up to see what the news was - something inside of me was telling me that something bad had happened I just didn’t want to envisage it.
     When I found out that the world had lost Dan Wheldon, it didn’t sink in. I thought that someone had made a mistake; a miscommunication somewhere along the line. But no, it was true – this was really happening. Dan Wheldon had been killed.
      The next morning, I woke in hope that all of this was some awful nightmare. But again, no; it had happened and the motorsport community was in shock.
     I watched the five lap salute held by the drivers on YouTube – the saddest five laps you’ll probably ever see.
     Everyone that is a fan of motorsport has been affected by Dan’s passing in some way. The world has lost a legend, but he will always be remembered for what he did best. We should all spare a thought about the family that have been left behind after this terrible tragedy.
      “Racing drivers never die. Their spirits are too strong and they never go away.” – Jackie Stewart.
Goodbye Dan Wheldon – Rest in Peace.