Fairways Racing Complex Forum

Twenty years ago today Ayrton Senna, possibly the greatest racing driver of all time, was killed while leading the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola, Italy, just nine laps into the race.

As fans of the exciting - but sometimes tragic - sport of motor racing, it is fitting at this time that we look back at what Senna meant to the world of motor sport and the world at large. This anecdote from his time with the Toleman team, his first F1 drive, gives a little insight into the amazing driving mind that he had:

• ...But Toleman knew exactly how good he was. The engineer Pat Symonds, who is now with Williams, told Christopher Hilton, in Memories of Senna: "There was one area at Dallas where just about everyone hit the wall. He hit it there too. When he got back to the pits he said: 'I just cannot understand how I did that. I was taking it no differently than I had been before. The wall must have moved.'
  
  "We thought: 'Yeah, right, sure the wall's moved.' He was very insistent on this so after the race we went out and had a look. The wall had moved. It was concrete blocks and someone had clipped it, moved it, moved it just a few millimetres – and I mean just a few millimetres – and he had been judging it that perfectly."

A couple of nights ago I came across the the following article which I feel imparts what differentiated him from the rest in a very personal way. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.

Senna: A legacy that transcends generations

Finally, have a look at this video made by Honda and hear Senna lap Suzuka:

20 Years After His Death, Honda Recreates Ayrton Senna’s Legendary Suzuka Lap
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... eO2q8FzcnM

Gordon

(PS: If you haven't seen the documentary film "Senna" as yet, go see it. I've seen it a couple of times but plan to do so again as the world remembers him this week.)

Gordon,

Its a sad story but the good thing after 20 years, Ayrton Senna ~ gone but certainly not forgotten.

Luke