19 Years; Ayrton Senna

[KinLM]

19 years ago today, racing lost a legend.

Whether you liked him or not, there was no denying that he had something special in his driving abilities.

He was a hero in Brazil, giving away tons of money to the poor, as he believed that "Everybody deserves a chance."

King of Pop and music legend Michael Jackson's funeral had half as many people as this man's.

Incredibly insightful as a man, and incredibly driven from his soul, Ayrton Senna crashed and died while leading the race at San Marino on May 1st, 1994, just at the start of lap 7.

People today still admire his driving and many will claim that he is still the greatest driver in history.

No matter the opinions of the man, let us not forget Ayrton Senna, as well as Roland Ratzenberger, who died the day before in Qualifying.

Upon examination, it was discovered that Senna had hidden an Austrian flag in the sleeve of his racing suit, apparently to wave at the end of the race which he planned to win.

Let us not forget them.

 

[Tom]

You would be correct, 19 years and 1 day since we lost Ratzenberger also.

 

[KinLM]

You would be correct, 19 years and 1 day since we lost Ratzenberger also.

Yes, let us not forget either of them.

I dressed up very nicely today for school. Most students had no idea what I was doing it for.

But a few of my teachers who watched him, and who know how big of a racing fan I am, just quietly nodded their heads in appreciation.

 

[Alex.]

What do you mean 'dressed up nicely'?

 

[KinLM]

What do you mean 'dressed up nicely'?

Wore a suit with a black tie, as opposed to the normal Hollister and Abercrombie clothing that most kids (including myself) usually wear. Along with a little pin of a Brazilian flag.

 

[Mac K]

19 years already? Wow.. RIP

 

[doctorrg]

I remember it well, and I remember that very bad feeling I had when the race went underway, like I was expecting something really bad to happen. Senna was all up in arms that weekend about safety in F1, after Barrichello's crash, and then Ratzenberger's death. I've never watched another race that felt so unreal to me. I'll always remember that race, and Senna.

 

[Pupik]

I remember both days quite vividly; even though it was a work-filled weekend and finals were coming up. My co-worker told me about Roland's accident in qualifying, and there was some nervous tension in me before watching the race live.

When the crash occurred, my first thought was how far back in championship he was now going to be. After about 10 seconds or so, I was talking at the TV: "get out of the car, Senna; that's not a safe place to meditate on your accident." When he didn't move for a few more seconds, I was louder; not quite yelling, but loud enough to seem like a madman. "get out, damn it!".

It just couldn't be real; five years earlier, Gerhard Berger nearly burned to death at the same spot, in such ghastly circumstances. He'd live to race a few weekends later. Surely, Senna was going to dust himself off, and be upset, like Monaco in 1988. But still no movement, and like many...but hoped for the best. I went to work not long after the race was over.

I looked at my co-worker later in the day, both of us having not known his fate by then. I figured he'd pull though, because he was such an obstinate bad-ass. To be fair, this was 1994, and nobody else in the area probably knew nor cared...I get home late, and turn on ESPN. Varsha and Hobbs are interviewed on SportsCenter and then I know, that's it.

I took a long, rambling drive to nowhere, on the following day, instead of studying. I'd gone through a break-up the week before, but as much as I hate to say it, I also realized my life could be a lot worse.

 

[Mac K]

^That's a pretty touching story. 👍

 

[Azure Flare]

And so you touch this limit, something happens and you suddenly can go a little bit further. With your mind power, your determination, your instinct, and the experience as well, you can fly very high.

Racing, competing, it's in my blood. It's part of me, it's part of my life; I have been doing it all my life and it stands out above everything else.

You will never know the feeling of a driver when winning a race. The helmet hides feelings that cannot be understood.

On a given day, a given circumstance, you think you have a limit.

And suddenly I realised that I was no longer driving the car consciously. I was driving it by a kind of instinct, only I was in a different dimension.

Wealthy men can't live in an island that is encircled by poverty. We all breathe the same air. We must give a chance to everyone, at least a basic chance.

 

[nitrorocks]

I remember both days quite vividly; even though it was a work-filled weekend and finals were coming up. My co-worker told me about Roland's accident in qualifying, and there was some nervous tension in me before watching the race live.

When the crash occurred, my first thought was how far back in championship he was now going to be. After about 10 seconds or so, I was talking at the TV: "get out of the car, Senna; that's not a safe place to meditate on your accident." When he didn't move for a few more seconds, I was louder; not quite yelling, but loud enough to seem like a madman. "get out, damn it!".

It just couldn't be real; five years earlier, Gerhard Berger nearly burned to death at the same spot, in such ghastly circumstances. He'd live to race a few weekends later. Surely, Senna was going to dust himself off, and be upset, like Monaco in 1988. But still no movement, and like many...but hoped for the best. I went to work not long after the race was over.

I looked at my co-worker later in the day, both of us having not known his fate by then. I figured he'd pull though, because he was such an obstinate bad-ass. To be fair, this was 1994, and nobody else in the area probably knew nor cared...I get home late, and turn on ESPN. Varsha and Hobbs are interviewed on SportsCenter and then I know, that's it.

I took a long, rambling drive to nowhere, on the following day, instead of studying. I'd gone through a break-up the week before, but as much as I hate to say it, I also realized my life could be a lot worse.

Nice story. 👍


Well, I wasn't born yet, so I never got to see him race. But, by seeing the hundreds of videos on TV and the Internet, I have been fascinated by his driving style an his profound sayings. Also, the his religious faith, personality, and values always struck me as unique in a racing driver.

 

[Bobert power]

I wasn't born to see him race. But he was not only one of the best, but he had a heart of gold IMO.
R.I.P. 3-21-60/5-1-94

 

[Cano]

I can't believe it's almost 20 yars. I was just too young for it to have a real impact in me, but I do remember my dad. He was a follower of F1 in those days and he actually cried over Senna. I was like wtf. I had never seen my dad cry over something like that.

The guy was a monster, and a mistery, and a myth. I don't think we'll ever see another driver like him. His early death just embeded him even more with a mystical aura. He was truly special.

 

[HighSeasHoMastr]

RIP.
Truly one of the greats.

 

[m8h3r]

Nice story. 👍

Well, I wasn't born yet, so I never got to see him race. But, by seeing the hundreds of videos on TV and the Internet, I have been fascinated by his driving style an his profound sayings. Also, the his religious faith, personality, and values always struck me as unique in a racing driver.

I'm in the same boat as you. Was born about 40 days before his death. However just from watching racing on YouTube and researching him and his feud with Prost makes you see how amazing this guy was. I wish I could have been alive and aware to watch him create magic on the track. RIP.

 

[RX-7_FD3S]

Well I was watching the GP and I couldnt believe it. I honestly thought he couldnt die here like that stupidly. But then the news came and I remember that Prost was working with the french tv this year for consulting or something along those line and he was really moved. It was really a bad week-end. One of those that should never exist. Sadly they do.

 

[GTMail]

Sad day indeed. One of my favorite races of all time is Monaco in '84. Along with all those infamous Japanese Grand Prix. I can't believe it's been almost 20 years. RIP.

 

[Anathema]

Wasn't born at the time, but with a rabid F1 fan for a dad at the time (he was a Schumacher fan) it did affect him, just like when Alan Kulwicki passed away.

One of the dreams I want to accomplish is to find a NA1 NSX, in tribute to Senna.