Connect with us

ATV Today

Brit Dan Wheldon Killed in Vegas Indy Car Crash

Brit Dan Wheldon Killed in Vegas Indy Car Crash

British Indy Car Driver Dan Wheldon has been killed in a 15 car pile up in the last Indy race of the season in Las Vegas.

British Indy Car Driver Dan Wheldon has been killed in a 15 car pile up in the last Indy race of the season in Las Vegas.

Wheldon who was 33, and originally from Buckinghamshire, began IndyCar racing in 2002. He was series champion in 2005 and won the Indy 500 in 2005 and 2011.

The Incident happened on lap 12 at the second corner. Many drivers before the Las Vegas 300 event indicated they worried about safety due to the number of cars involved in the race and in the early laps at many points 3 or 4 cars were side by side going round the track. Scotland’s Dario Franchitti, who won a third straight Indy Car series crown due to the race not being restarted, said that drivers where doing ‘Crazy Things’ as early as lap 5 or 6.

Shortly after the incident Wheldon was airlifted to the nearby University Medical Center where he was joined by his wife Susie and two sons Sebastian and Oliver – but his death was announced to his fellow drivers in a meeting at the track afterwards.  Then came a 5 lap parade from all the drivers to pay tribute to the British Driver.

IndyCar chief executive Randy Bernard said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Ironically Wheldon hadn’t race frequently this season due to being unable to get a drive for the season, so had to make do with just a few a races. He took up the chance from IndyCar chief Bernard’s offer to any driver, who didn’t have a team to take part and if they won the season finale at Las Vegas they’d get $5m (£3.1m).

In broadcasting forums, posters have been highly critical of the treatment and sensitivity of host broadcasters ABC/ESPN. After the announcement of Wheldon’s death they continued to show many different angles of the accident.  Sky Sports did cut away from showing them, and didn’t show the 5 lap tribute due to timing issues and the clear emotional state of presenter Keith Huewen and guests in the studio. Sky Sports News did show parts of the tribute however.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

More in

To Top