This impromptu memorial to Dan Wheldon greeted me each morning as I walked along the river path to the pit lane. It was in the fenced in landscaping and grew from two pictures the first morning to three on the next day.
It was just one of the many different kinds of tributes to the late English open wheel racer, who was to have driven in the Armor All Gold Coast 600 V8 Supercar Championship at Surfer’s Paradise
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As I paused to reflect Saturday morning, I was joined, first by PATRICK LONG, and then JOEY HAND, both California drivers. Each shared memories of racing against Dan years ago in times gone by, before any of them had started making a name for himself. It was a nice way to start the day.
Earlier in the weekend, racers from England who belonged to BRDC (British Racing Drivers Club), led by OLIVER GAVIN and RICHARD WESTBROOK – displayed their tribute to Dan, who was also a BRDC member. The International drivers were joined by Honorary BRDC members.
Saturday morning in Pit Lane, the V8 drivers and community held a Memorial for Dan Wheldon. The inaugural Dan Wheldon Trophy for the top finishing International driver was unveiled. It was awarded to the SEBASTIEN BOURDAIS based on points accumulated in the two Rounds. He won Saturday and finished runner-up on Sunday.
Throughout the weekend one observed various individual, team and series remembrances
During the Gold Coast weekend, there were two public Memorial Services for Wheldon back in the US. The first was held in his American hometown of St. Petersburg for friends and neighbors, as well as his family-personal and IndyCar. Fellow drivers, DARIO FRANCHITTI, BRYAN HERTA, and TONY KANAAN, along with Wheldon’s three brothers, served as pall bearers. Sunday another, larger service was held by IndyCar at Conseco Field in Indianapolis with the IndyCar community and public. Wheldon’s family, IndyCar drivers and officials, and many others attended.
At Talladega, NASCAR also honored Dan. NASCAR provided Lionhearted decals for every race car – based on the Lionhart sticker Wheldon wore on his helmet; and NASCAR also provided helmet decals for any driver who wanted.
BRAD KESELOWSKI finished fourth Sunday in the Sprint Cup race, with a rear bumper sign – “In Honor of Dan.”
NASCAR held a moment of silence for Wheldon prior to the Sunday Sprint Cup race.