Dan Wheldon 1978 - 2011

Dan Wheldon died yesterday at the Las Vegas Speedway during the Indy 300 tragically leaving behind his wife and two young sons. In a 15 car accident his car was launched into the catch fencing suffering huge injuries that couldn't be survived. It is a sad loss to motor racing, he left Britain for America with no money, only a determination to succeed, that he did so so successfully demonstrates his strength of will.

Not many people over here outside of motorsport will have heard of Wheldon, Indycar doesn't get alot of coverage, but he was one of the many talented drivers who for various reasons don't make it to Formula 1. He dominated karting and progressed rapidly, but came up against Jenson Button in the junior formulae who took all the headlines. I remember reading about him at the same time as Button and following his progress when in 1999 and lacking funding he went to America.

It was still a time when not many British drivers thrived in the American motor sport scene. He made it big, winning the US Formula Ford title, then progressing stage by stage to reach the Indycar championship in 2002. Wheldon quickly became one of the names to follow in America, winning the championship in 2005 and the Indy 500 that same year and again just earlier this year.

He tested for Formula 1 teams, and was even offered a third driver role with the possibility of racing for BMW Sauber in 2006, but he was winning at a high level, he wasn't going to be satisfied with a mere possibility. A loss to Formula 1, he wouldn't have another opportunity.

There will be many discussions about whether 34 cars should have been competing on a short oval at 225mph with open wheels. Dario Franchitti another Brit competing in America said it wasn't a suitable track for this kind of racing. Ironically Wheldon had been testing a new style Indycar for next year which had wheel guards designed to prevent just such an accident.

Motor racing is a dangerous sport and no one should ever forget just how brave these drivers are when they step into their machines and race for glory and our entertainment. Of course they don't have to do it, but then, why do anything? He had a passion in life and he strove to make a success of it, which he did, he conquered American motor sport, and he should be celebrated for it.