Here in Wisconsin, snow is on the ground and it's going to be 6F tomorrow with a crazy windchill!! We should be seeing daffodils and rabbits outside instead of snow, ice and cold.
On February 28th, two of my favorite race car drivers celebrated their birthdays. Mario Andretti turned 79 and still drives the two seat Indy Car. I still want a ride in that car Mario! Sebastien Bourdais turned 40 on the same day!
On March 10th, the Indy Cars have the first race of the season in St. Petersburg, Florida. Sebastien Bourdais has lived in St. Petersburg for a few years and won that race twice I believe.
To get ready for the season let's take a look back at the birthday boys and some of the Indy Cars.
Last year Scott Dixon won the championship and I think he could do it again! Good luck Scott!
Stay warm and get ready to hear the awesome sounds of Indy Car again!
See how many drivers you can recognize here.
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
August 30, 2015
Today, is Sunday, August 30, my birthday and I should be happy. I am happy but I'm saddened because of Justin Wilson's passing. I am a huge Indy Car race fan and photographer and I have photographed Justin Wilson for years.
He passed away last week after an accident during the Indy Car race in Pennsylvania at the Pocono race track. Sage Karam crashed and the nose cone of his car became airborne and landed on Justin's head. Justin never regained consciousness and passed away on Tuesday. His organs were donated and I heard that he saved six lives.
Justin Wilson was the nicest guy on pit lane. He was one of three drivers of the Driver's Committee and would help anyone he could. Everyone liked him and I mean everyone.
Through the years of photographing drivers, I have traded my photos for their helmet visors for my collection at home. After I have their visor, I trade photos for their gloves, if possible. I have Justin's visor and a pair of his gloves from Milwaukee's race in 2007. During today's final race of the season at Sonoma Raceway, I think I will get those gloves out and look at them.
Attached here are photos of Justin through the years driving Champ Cars, IRL cars and having fun with Tony Kanaan on pit lane in Milwaukee. One photo that I really like is of his steering wheel from 2012. One of his guys put "Badass Wilson" on the top of it!
Miss you Badass Wilson, and I will soon frame those gloves and display them in my race room.
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
Justin Wilson, racing in Champ Car and the IRL.