It’s not news to tell you how much of an inspiration Alex Zanardi can be to us all. But every now and then we may need a reminder. So, when you’re next feeling a bit crap about things, watch this video. Not only will it give you some perspective, it will help you prepare to tackle whatever challenges you face with humility and grace.
Thanks also to filmmaker Tim Hahne for bringing us yet another excellent motorsport-related short film.
[via Tim Hahne]
The Paralympic Games are filled with countless stories of courage and inspiration. One journey having relevance to an automotive website is that of former F1 driver Alex Zanardi. A total of 11 years have passed since Zanardi lost both of his legs in an horrific accident during a CART race at Lausitz in Germany.
Zanardi is now 45 and he reached the pinnacle of another sport overnight by winning the gold medal in the men’s Individual H4 Time Trial hand-cycling event. Adding extra sweetness to Zanardi’s victory is the fact the event was held at the former F1 racetrack Brands Hatch.
“I only collected a second place, a third-placed finish (at Brands Hatch) and to win I had to come back with a hand-cycle. It’s an amazing feeling,” Zanardi said after collecting his gold medal.
“I’m really, really happy for the result and I knew that this moment was going to bring a little bit of sadness as well.
“This is almost the last day of a great adventure and from Monday I will have to find something different, otherwise life will become a little boring.
“It’s at the top of the scale with many other great moments I’ve been lucky enough to live.”
On behalf of AUSmotive we say well done Alex Zanardi, well done!
[Source: London2012 | Pic: Getty Images]
UPDATE 8 September: Alex is just showing off now, winning a second gold medal!
Yesterday marked the tenth anniversary of Alex Zanardi’s horrific accident in a CART race at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz in Germany. Despite having both legs amputated Zanardi returned to professional motor racing less than two years after his crash.
The Race of Two Worlds website reflects on Zanardi’s career and remarkable comeback to motor racing. It’s well worth a read. Here’s a teaser; follow the source link below for more:
The permanent CART safety team performed miracles to even save his life; there was less than a litre of blood left in him when they made the transfusions that rescued him from the abyss. In typical Zanardi style he jokes that with all that German blood in him they should give him a passport!
[Source: Race of Two Worlds | Pic: alex-zanardi.com]