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Zanardi to make racing return in ETCC
Italian ace to make comeback at Monza
Champ Car legend Alex Zanardi will make a return to serious competition next month, when he will competes in the final race of this year's European Touring Car Championship at Monza on October 19.
Almost exactly two years ago Zanardi was thankful to be alive after a huge accident at the Eurospeedway Lausitz oval in Germany, when he crashed his Champ Car into the outer concrete wall.
"I escaped death by a whisker," said Zanardi. "I set myself the goal of leading a normal life again at some time in the future. Today I can walk, swim, go skiing and on 19 October I will complete my vision by competing seriously in a race.
"If I manage to keep the pace at Monza, I shall have reaffirmed my faith in myself: if there's a will, there's a way."
The BMW car, which Zanardi has already tested, will be specially adapted to the 36-year-old Italian's requirements. He lost his legs in the September 2001 accident, but the 320i tourer will allow him to accelerate on the steering wheel and use a clutch on the gearshift.
The car will be entered by the BMW Italy-Spain team, with the enthusiastic backing of team boss Roberto Ravaglia and BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen. Zanardi will partner regular drivers Antonio Garcia and Fabrizio Giovanardi.
Zanardi made an emotional demonstration of a Champ Car when the series came back to Lausitz earlier this year. The popular driver's Monza outing will be applauded by his supporters on both sides of the Atlantic.
Italian ace to make comeback at Monza
Champ Car legend Alex Zanardi will make a return to serious competition next month, when he will competes in the final race of this year's European Touring Car Championship at Monza on October 19.
Almost exactly two years ago Zanardi was thankful to be alive after a huge accident at the Eurospeedway Lausitz oval in Germany, when he crashed his Champ Car into the outer concrete wall.
"I escaped death by a whisker," said Zanardi. "I set myself the goal of leading a normal life again at some time in the future. Today I can walk, swim, go skiing and on 19 October I will complete my vision by competing seriously in a race.
"If I manage to keep the pace at Monza, I shall have reaffirmed my faith in myself: if there's a will, there's a way."
The BMW car, which Zanardi has already tested, will be specially adapted to the 36-year-old Italian's requirements. He lost his legs in the September 2001 accident, but the 320i tourer will allow him to accelerate on the steering wheel and use a clutch on the gearshift.
The car will be entered by the BMW Italy-Spain team, with the enthusiastic backing of team boss Roberto Ravaglia and BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen. Zanardi will partner regular drivers Antonio Garcia and Fabrizio Giovanardi.
Zanardi made an emotional demonstration of a Champ Car when the series came back to Lausitz earlier this year. The popular driver's Monza outing will be applauded by his supporters on both sides of the Atlantic.
I'm not surprised they were able to modify the car for him to drive it with his hands; I was surprised they were able to modify the car for a man with as much, ahh, "guts" as Zanardi has.
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