Post by backmarker on May 19, 2006 0:50:04 GMT 1
the challenge:
Tracks: Road America; Tokyo
Class: GTS
Car: Ferrari #88 IMSA 550 Maranello
background:
GILLES VILLENEUVE was a Canadian racing driver of enormous potential. He began his Formula 1 career with McLaren at the 1977 British Grand Prix, after he impressed James Hunt by beating him in a Formula Atlantic race, and is remembered for his frenetic style which seemed more like that of a rally driver. His son, Jacque, won the 1997 Formula 1 title as well as the Champ Car and Indianapolis 500 titles.
After joining Ferrari as 3-time World Champion Niki Lauda’s replacement in 1979, Villeneuve went into the 1982 season a clear favourite for the crown. He was widely regarded as the best Formula One driver in the field, and Ferrari, after two years of mediocre cars, had produced an excellent design.
Tragedy struck on May 8, 1982, on his final qualifying lap for the Belgian Grand Prix at Zolder. The front left wheel of his car came into contact with the right rear wheel of Jochen Mass's car, which was on a slow 'in' lap. Villeneuve's car was launched into the air before nose-diving into the soft earthen embankment just outside the armco and cartwheeled along the side of the track. The violence of the accident reduced the car to its chassis, and ripped Villeneuve's seat from the back of the monocoque. Villeneuve, still strapped to his seat, was thrown across the track and into the catch fencing just outside the corner. When the medical team arrived, he was not breathing. He died shortly thereafter in hospital. Mercifully, his fatal injuries were likely caused by the force of his car landing for the first time after the initial impact.
The end
