When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
My first memories of motorsport were from watching Wide World of Sports and similar TV programming in the mid-70's. All of the famous drivers. Richard Petty, Mario Andretti and among them Niki Lauda. I remember watching the Monaco GP each and every year.
When I really got hooked in the early 80's I immediately became a fan of Porsche and that led me to be a fan of both Lauda and Prost.
I have very little motorsports-related literature. The first two books I bought were the Bondurant book (which taught me how to heel and toe in my first car-- an MGB), and Niki's The Art and Science of Grand Prix Driving. I have read that book many, many times.
I have few heroes... for some reason he stands out as one in motorsport. Don't know why.
Nikki Lauda was one of my hero's from F1 in the 70's. World Champ 3 times - he was considered one of the all time greats.
His fire-ball crash in 1976 is well known. Despite inhaling toxic/burning fumes in the crash, he was back racing 6 weeks later the same year and just missed winning the championship.
He did win again in 1977 and 1984. One very tough cookie!
Lucky enough to get a pic with him a couple of years ago in Texas.
If you haven’t already, read up on this guy. Endured unimaginable pain and awful consequences - even long after his famous crash - and overcame like nobody’s business. As tough and intense as they come. What a man! A true inspiration whose life story needs to be made into a movie.
05-21-2019, 12:41 PM
Since I was a little kid, I always liked him. 
