Sonoma Memories

Just three weeks out from this year's IndyCar season finale race at Sonoma, I still had NO clue whether or not esteemed Austin Travel Guide Claudio' & Mwah would be making a return engagement to this year's event? Then I got "the Call" appropriately a Fortnight before the B-I-G' EVENT! That due to a current Property Dispute, he'd be forced to Scrub the mission.

And in what seems truly Apropos, since your humble No Fenders scribe, along with a half million others; YIKES! Was virtually in the DARK the entire weekend, thanks to Mother Nature's early season Windstorm that knocked out the power for 36+ hours beginning Saturday afternoon prior to Sonoma Qualie...

Hence, although I was extremely surprised to actually find the race live on thee radio, albeit a somewhat tiny AM1380 Fox Sports channel out of Everett, WA. Provided I sat just right next to the window in order to not lose the signal, nor "The Voice," aka Paul Page...

instead of recapping the just concluded race, especially since I made 'Juan tiny telephone call when A-L-L HELL Broke loose, i.e.; missing thee call upon Montoya and Power playin' pinball, along with it being the most insane finish, which was fairly reminiscent 'O last year's outcome! Not to mention not having time to do so currently - I'll simply hearken back to last year's most enjoyable trip report instead...

The Tomaso Files: Buddy, Peter and Eleven 'lil IndyCar boyz...

Justin is Faster Than You Schumacher...

Can You Confirm that Please Michael; Hya! As yeah, I know it was only Friday Qualie' but it was one of Justin's moments in the Sun...

I first read about the two videos of late that were bringing smiles to Justin's younger brother Stefan Stork' Wilson via Curty' Cavin's Pit Pass Colum last Thursday.

Pit Pass: Justin Wilson's brother Stefan comforted by support from Fans,Drivers

Naturally I had NO idea that the video's were  embedded in the story, since they weren't "Tagged" for the Screen-reader to read on my NFB Newsline for The Blind telephone service I listen to Daly; but I digress...

As I do remember Ryan Briscoe smartly walking away from a confrontation with Justin at Mid Ohio in 2010, and fondly recall watchin' I-T on thy Telie' and getting a good chuckle outta it!

Thus, unknowingly, I found the video of Justin Wilson out qualifying both Ferrari's of eventual seven times Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher and his dutiful Wingman 'Rubino, nee Rubens Barrichello over at Axis of Oversteer instead. (link below) As the feat is truly impressive when considering the "Packaging" difficulties the B-I-G' UNIT suffered when contorting himself into the lowly Jaguar F1 chassis!

That Day when Justin Wilson was faster than both Ferrari's

Bad Arse' Justin Wilson Races On...

Justin Wilson with fellow drivers Oriel Servia and Scott Dixon. (Image source: Marshall Pruett/racer.com)

Like the band Kansas once sung: "We're Only Dust in the Wind." While we all know that saying about Only the Good Die Young...

As we've A-L-L heard repeatedly since his death, Justin Wilson was the nicest guy in the paddock, while Tony Kanaan mentioned on Trackside with Kevin & Cavin how everybody becomes a Saint after they die, but it's easy to Gush over how wonderful of a person Justin was - because its True!

And whilst I've truly enjoyed Robin Miller's pieces upon BAD ARSE' JW! I've just come away crying, and then laughing out loud over Marshall Pruett's  excellent article upon befriending the BAD ARSE!

As I laughed myself silly over Pruett's wickedness on bringing JW' a ton 'O Nasty Chocolates while in Hospital!

Pruett: Befriending the Bad Ass - Justin Wilson

And as we should know how inherently dangerous A-L-L forms of motorsports are, and suffice it to say, there can never be a truly 100% safe racecar. Nonetheless, Justin like everyone on the IndyCar grid were not only totally aware of that, but also had long before come  to terms with it.

Safety is paramount but motor racing will never be run without element of risk

Yet I cannot help marveling over Justin's never faltering attitude towards racing, and more importantly life. Which Curt Cavin does an excellent job describing in;

Cavin: To Justin Wilson, the spotlightwas to be shared

And A-L-L I could say to myself was, what an amazing "Stand Up Guy!" Tony Kanaan is! As he was a total breath of fresh air upon Trackside with Kevin & Cavin Tuesday night  with insightful answers upon the subject of racing and why as drivers they do it...

Tony Kanaan: We Will race at Sonoma to Honor Justin Wilson

While I found 'Ol R's (Robin Millers) eulogy - for lack 'O better words to be an excellent description of Justin Wilson, the person.

Miller: Farewell to Justin Wilson - A Rarity in the Me First World ofRacing

And like Tony Kanaan said on Trackside; if we're gonna talk about how good of a person Justin Wilson was, then we're gonna need the whole night!

Family comforted by wishes in wake ofJustin Wilson's death

Wilson Children's Fund

Lastly, for those of you interested, a fund has been established for Justin & Julia's two daughters; Jane & Jessica, for which you can contribute at;

Wilson Children's Fund

c/o Forum Credit Union
PO Box 50738
Indianapolis, IN 46250-0738

While don't know if the following website will add any more information  - or be of interest...

Justin Wilson Children's Fund

Arrivederci BAD ARSE' Justin!