May 8: The 30th anniversary of Gilles Villeneuve's tragic death

By R Fagnan,

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

Today we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the tragic death of race car driver Gilles Villeneuve who lost his life May 8, 1982.

It is a really sad anniversary for all motorsport fans. On that day 30 years ago, Canada lost a great ambassador and a true champion.

Before Villeneuve arrived in Formula 1, motorsport in general was relatively unknown in Canada. F1 was nowhere as popular, as well covered and as popular as it is today.

Gilles Villeneuve, Ferrari, French GP, 1979. (Photo: Jean-Claude Loustau)

Those lucky enough to have met him knew of his drive and ambition, that he was different from the others and that he had the potential to make it. For his part, the kid from Berthierville, Quebec was convinced he would make it – and he did.

Transcending borders, Gilles Villeneuve became the most spectacular and popular Formula 1 driver in the world, the idol of millions around the world.

Villeneuve's stunning exploits behind the wheel were powerful enough to help a new breed to up-and-coming drivers to emerge on the international scene with drivers such as Claude Bourbonnais, Stephane Proulx, Paul Tracy, Scott Goodyear and others.

Thanks Gilles.

Topics: f1, ferrari, gilles villeneuve, racing