Post by backmarker on May 19, 2006 0:45:05 GMT 1
the challenge:
Tracks: Rio de Janeiro; Silverstone Circuit
Class: Upgrades to class S
Car: Honda NSX 1992
background:
AYRTON SENNA DA SILVA was a Brazilian Formula One triple world champion, and is considered one of the best drivers of all time. His life, character and the circumstances of his death have caused his story to approach what could arguably be termed a modern legend. A spectacularly talented driver with an unyielding and sometimes controversial will to win, Senna was a complex character who fascinated Formula One fans the world over.
Starting his career with Toleman, Senna moved onto Lotus, who were by that time a failing force, before enjoying his greatest success at McLaren. In the 1988 season, paired with Alain Prost, the McClaren MP4/4 won 15 out of the 16 races. His pairing with Prost was to prove turbulent for both drivers.
The start of the wet-weather 1993 European Grand Prix, by way of its uniqueness, is frequently referred to in racing lore as the best-ever lap. Senna was fifth going into the first corner, having nearly been pushed off the track by a swerving Schumacher. At the end of the first lap, having passed F1 champions with a cumulative world championship total of 12, he was first. Having overtaken Schumacher, Wendlinger, Hill and Prost he went on to lap the entire field. Examples of wet weather car control such as this gained Senna the title "The Rain Master"; he added to this “Master of Monaco” having surpassed Graham Hill’s tally of five wins.
In qualifying sessions Senna had no equal, registering a record 65 pole positions out of 161 races. This record stood for 12 years after his death, before it was surpassed by Michael Schumacher while qualifying for the 2006 San Marino Grand Prix, his 236th race.
On May 1 1994, he took part in his third race for the Williams team. At the San Marino GP, Senna took pole position yet again, but would not finish the race. On the second lap after a restart, Senna's car left the track in Tamburello and struck an unprotected concrete wall. Telemetry shows he left the track at 193 mph and managed to slow the car to 135 mph in less than two seconds but it was not enough. Suggestions to the cause of the accident range from cool tyres, a loss of downforce, and a broken steering column, though the latter is inconsistent with telemetry indicating force being applied to the steering mechanism till the moment of impact. Senna suffered severe head injuries and , despite his heart being restarted at the trackside, Senna had little hope of recovery .
Examining wreckage of his racing car track officials discovered a furled, blood soaked Austrian flag: a victory flag he was going to raise in honour of Austrian Roland Ratzenberger, who had died on that track the day before.
During his time with McLaren and their engine suppliers, Honda, Senna contributed to the development of the Honda NSX sports car.
The end
