For some inexplicable reason, a horrible run of tragedies has currently hit the world of motor sports.
This feels like May 1994 when Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna both died at the San Marino Grand Prix. However, this time, the Grim Reaper claimed the lives of drivers from many different racing series.
It all started with IndyCar's Dan Wheldon at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, followed by MotoGP's Marco Simoncelli at the Sepang International Circuit.
Then, there was FMX rider and X Games veteran Jim McNeil, who died after injuries suffered during practice jumps for an exhibition prior to a NASCAR race in Texas.
And on Sunday, Guido Falaschi, a 22-year-old Argentinean driver, was tragically killed on the last lap of the Turismo Carretera Series race at the Autodrome Balcarce.
A few hours later, we learned that two Belgian spectators also passed away – with a third one still fighting for his life – after a rally car lost control and exited the road during a regional race.
That's six lives taken away in the span of only five weeks.
Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 Formula 1 champion, recently pointed out that people too often forget that motor sports remain dangerous.
Over the past couple of years, we've witnessed some pretty spectacular crashes that miraculously left the drivers without a scratch. We've quickly – and wrongfully – jumped to the conclusion that motor sports are now safe, and that the cars they drive can withstand anything.
Make no mistake, folks: There will always be risks involved in high-speed driving, whether you're surrounded by other drivers or not, on a race track or on regular roads (such as during a rally). Despite all the efforts by governing bodies to increase safety, motor sports will never – repeat, never – be completely safe.
However, this current run of tragedies provides plenty of reasons to worry. Could a bad planetary alignment be at work here?
At a time when NASCAR officials let drivers settle their scores on the track, I can't help but think a disaster is inevitable. This season, tempers have flared and fists have flown in NASCAR's three major series. The cowboy attitude is a real problem that needs to stop, and fast, before even more tragedies happen.
This feels like May 1994 when Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna both died at the San Marino Grand Prix. However, this time, the Grim Reaper claimed the lives of drivers from many different racing series.
It all started with IndyCar's Dan Wheldon at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, followed by MotoGP's Marco Simoncelli at the Sepang International Circuit.
Then, there was FMX rider and X Games veteran Jim McNeil, who died after injuries suffered during practice jumps for an exhibition prior to a NASCAR race in Texas.
And on Sunday, Guido Falaschi, a 22-year-old Argentinean driver, was tragically killed on the last lap of the Turismo Carretera Series race at the Autodrome Balcarce.
A few hours later, we learned that two Belgian spectators also passed away – with a third one still fighting for his life – after a rally car lost control and exited the road during a regional race.
That's six lives taken away in the span of only five weeks.
Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 Formula 1 champion, recently pointed out that people too often forget that motor sports remain dangerous.
Over the past couple of years, we've witnessed some pretty spectacular crashes that miraculously left the drivers without a scratch. We've quickly – and wrongfully – jumped to the conclusion that motor sports are now safe, and that the cars they drive can withstand anything.
Make no mistake, folks: There will always be risks involved in high-speed driving, whether you're surrounded by other drivers or not, on a race track or on regular roads (such as during a rally). Despite all the efforts by governing bodies to increase safety, motor sports will never – repeat, never – be completely safe.
However, this current run of tragedies provides plenty of reasons to worry. Could a bad planetary alignment be at work here?
At a time when NASCAR officials let drivers settle their scores on the track, I can't help but think a disaster is inevitable. This season, tempers have flared and fists have flown in NASCAR's three major series. The cowboy attitude is a real problem that needs to stop, and fast, before even more tragedies happen.