RIP Dan Wheldon
10-16-2011, 11:45 PM
#4
Rennlist Member
33, married, father of two boys. After two days of Rennsport I stayed home today and decided to watch Indy, which is rare. This was one of the most colossal wrecks I've ever seen in my life! He hit the catch fence straight on, roll cage and head first after flying about 100 yds airborne. It was hard watching the aftermath..........RIP
10-17-2011, 12:49 AM
#6
Rennlist Member
Second worse crash next to Greg Moores. Sad day.
10-17-2011, 01:14 AM
#7
Rennlist Member
Extremely sad day, especially in the context of why/how he was actually in the race.
Especially somber for me finding out about it during the joy of the Rennsport weekend. But as I was telling a story last night, one of the things that strikes me when I am at vintage events are those whose names are on the car from an era I personally spectated, but are no longer with us. And for every Brian Redman and Derek Bell still around, there's a Stefan Bellof, Rolf Stommelen, or even Bob Wolleck and Al Holbert who didn't actually die on the track.
Especially somber for me finding out about it during the joy of the Rennsport weekend. But as I was telling a story last night, one of the things that strikes me when I am at vintage events are those whose names are on the car from an era I personally spectated, but are no longer with us. And for every Brian Redman and Derek Bell still around, there's a Stefan Bellof, Rolf Stommelen, or even Bob Wolleck and Al Holbert who didn't actually die on the track.
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10-17-2011, 02:12 AM
#8
Really a shame....found out right after I got home from rennsport via this post: https://rennlist.com/forums/off-topi...n-wheldon.html
10-17-2011, 02:19 AM
#9
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10-17-2011, 03:43 AM
#10
Nordschleife Master
Rest in Peace Dan ... God bless you and your family.
Last edited by FlatSix911; 10-17-2011 at 03:59 AM.
10-17-2011, 09:33 AM
#12
Rennlist Member
Very sad day for racing and for Dan's family and friends.
I have a really good friend, Jay Watson, a professional photographer in San Francisco who was in Las Vegas to shoot Dan Wheldon and Dario Franchitti. Jay had already shot Dan several months ago for a print ad.
Here is what Jay had to say:
I have a really good friend, Jay Watson, a professional photographer in San Francisco who was in Las Vegas to shoot Dan Wheldon and Dario Franchitti. Jay had already shot Dan several months ago for a print ad.
Here is what Jay had to say:
Today sucked and it was the most uncomfortable time I've ever spent behind the camera. I'm in Las Vegas now and here specifically to track Dario Franchitti and Dan Wheldon during the race. Everything was going great and getting incredible shots of Dario and his team on the grid. Our video guy shot beautiful footage of Dan's pre race ritual with his wife before the race. We were both stoked! Afterwards we realize it was probably their last words. Man Dan has a son just 2 months younger than Duke. And he really was as nice as everyone is saying in the news. No arrogance or BS. I really wanted to see him go for the purse today. I just can't believe what I saw. His car was in buckets of unidentifiable pieces. I photographed it before the outcome was known but I won't post them.
Sad day at the office. Looking forward to being home.
Sad day at the office. Looking forward to being home.
The crew is shaken up and it wasn't a good day for anyone at the track. Doesn't seem real. We shot Dan in the morning at the drivers meeting smiling and enjoying the day being friendly with everyone. His son Oliver is only 6 months old so that also hits a little close to home. Glad I got to meet him but wish I could see his career go even farther. He had a lot of miles ahead of him.
