Alex Zanardi

Yeah, I suppose this should perhaps be under some motorsports category due Zanardi's past, but since I am writing this now following his second gold medal at the paralympics this really is the best place.

I know I have written about this in the past, but for me Alex Zanardi is truly an amazing person. I will never forget running in to him in Toronto after he had lost his legs at the Lausitzring, and as he was walking with his crutches a kid asked for an autograph. Since he had his hands full, he asked the kid to follow him to his car so that he could lean against it, let go of the crutches and sign an autograph.

He is truly an inspiration to us all.

I saw a special on him. He was joking about how he trains in Italy. Basically he rides into town at full speed. Parks at a local cafe. Orders an espresso, and rides hard home. He seems like a good guy.

It's a shame that you guys don't follow WTCC.

Alex was extremely good at holding his own against the likes of Muller and Priaulx et al, albeit with a seriously modified car - brakes and clutch as flappy-paddle additions etc.

And, as H says, a true inspiration...

Gelert, I do follow WTCC and have been in awe of what Zanardi accomplished there.

It's a bit like with Jason Watt who would most likely have become a good F1 driver, but who was paralyzed from the waist down after a motorcycle accident in '99. He has also been racing WTCC, although with less success than Zanardi.

Oh, and let's not forget Alessandro Nannini who had a good WTCC career after his hand accident.

Rumor here is that he's going to sign a deal to race the Indy 500.