It is somewhat fitting that in Justin Wilson's penultimate Indycar race, there were two outstanding moment that encapsulated his true character and ability. He overtook two cars (Rahal and Montoya) on the outside of turn six... at Mid-Ohio... and latterly during the final restart when he went side by side with the race leader Graham Rahal, challenged him for the lead, but knowing that in completing the move, he could have taken himself and Graham, a championship contender out of the race. Justin had his wits about him, not only was he in that race due to Honda sponsoring his car, but also racing a fellow engine competitor. 

I had the pleasure of briefly meeting him around the paddock a couple of times from 2010 through 2012, but you knew who the man you met was a genuine kind hearted giant who had time for everyone, be they outside his garage or at an autograph session. The guy who signed his card and handed it to you with a smile was that at all times.

I want to reflect briefly on the the last Indycar race I attended, back in 2012 at Texas Motor Speedway. Who won it? The road course specialist, he nailed it. Graham Rahal was leading and looking strong for his first win since 2008. Until a late brush with the wall damaged the handling of his car, Wilson who was behind the then Ganassi driver, relentlessly caught up with him and overtook Rahal in the final laps. It was at this point possibly the sole Englishman in my block was up fist pumping the air. The driver, who for the small team, did it.

I recent times, when the Indycar TV contract was up with ESPN and new channels were taking over, we did not know what was happening with coverage, where it would be if anywhere at all. Out of the blue a DM from Justin, he had been in touch with people at Indycar and ESPN to find out what was happening , passed on the message that it would be continuing in it's present format. I did not ask, he just did. This is something I have seen in many tributes to what kind of a man he was, this kind of gesture and commitment to his fans was common place.

Please remember in your thoughts those left behind. The Indycar community that showed such strength four years ago, is needed again.

It is at this point I will direct you to some beautiful written tributes to Justin, his career and also some personal memories that tug at the heart strings, firstly by Tony DiZinno, secondly David Malsher and finally Marshall Pruett.

Racing is cruel, life is cruel, and this one wasn't fair, de mortuis nil nisi bonum, because we can not find any.

Wilson Family Fund Website
#BadAssWilson Fundraising Merch (UK)

Updated: 


Russell Hargreaves from talkSPORT invited me onto his Extra Time show to talk about Justin Wilson. The clip below is from the show.

A special Justin Wilson tribute show, we on Downforce Radio put together for 'Downforce USA'.

Just when you thought things were on the up, hey, no, less of that optimism! 

With the fantastic announcement of the return to Road America, since 2007, we were teased with the media speculation of Phoenix (first potential race since 2005) in the morning. Then comes the afternoon, and the announcement that there is no agreement between Indycar and ACS a.k.a Fontana for 2016. Sigh, the race which provided the largest talking points and buzz around a race outside of the Indy 500 was done, for now. In an Interview with Push to Pass Podcast, track president Dave Allen, he said they were working hard on securing a new date for next year, but one which suited them, which for anyone who went in July would want it to work for them too! Sadly Labor Day won't cut it.

Pocono, a much heralded return in 2013, half decent crowd followed by a not so decent crowd last year, and with a very (very) limited on track schedule for the Indycar race weekend, this one worries me. AOWR first visited the tricky triangle in 1971, ran through 1989, followed by a substantial break. I would hate to see this happen to another track steeped in Indycar heritage. Pack those stands! CEO Brandon Igdalsky is a fan, but he is also a businessman. 

So the 500 mile'rs outside of Indy could be gone in 2016.

Now the optimistic happy type bit. Hello Road America (seriously check out the 4 day ticket deal), nice to see you again. Hello Boston, big market, North East race, Labor Day, eHarmony couldn't have matched it better. Hello-ish Phoenix, talk of a return to to Arizona for the first time since 2005 are in advanced talks, just the dollars to agree on, it is as close as to appear on the Wikipedia page for Indycar in 2016 schedule... I am also a big fan of having a oval race too before the Indy 500. And how about starting in February at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, rumoured among media and Indycar officials, would provide a great chance to compare the on track product of Indycar and Formula One in a similar time-scale. Recently reported in Racer, Jay Frye (Chief Revenue Officer for Hulman and former NASCAR team manager) is in talks with other ISC tracks as well including Richmond and Homestead, you can join the dots right?

The series is on an upswing at the moment, talk, buzz, TV ratings, one can hope that the situation is even better in twelve months time, parties can talk and be less restrictive.

So there is your... *excrement* sandwich, baloney or bologna? Good news next right?