16/12/2006
NEWS STORY
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The looks, the rugged determination, the 'take no prisoners' driving style, even the name... 'Regazzoni', embodied, certainly in the 70s, what motor racing was all about.
His death, at the age of 67, in a road accident in Italy, brings to an end the life of a man who has his own unique place in motor sport's rich history, a man whose achievements extend well beyond the race track.
His F1 career, which saw him start 132 Grands Prix, with Ferrari, BRM, Ensign, Shadow and Williams, resulting in 5 wins, and runner-up spot in the 1974 World Championship to Emerson Fittipaldi, has been well documented elsewhere.
The fact that he scored Williams' first World Championship win, was a part of the all-conquering Ferrari Sports Car team of the early 70s and returned to racing despite suffering spinal injuries in a horrendous crash at Long Beach, has also been covered, and in far greater detail.
Reggazoni's battle to return to racing, despite being confined to a wheelchair, was a lesson to us all, proof that if one is determined enough, brave enough, even the most monumental of hurdles can be overcome. His determination was an inspiration not only for Alessandro Zanardi, but for many thousands of others who believed that being confined to a wheelchair was the end of the road.
On a personal level, all I can say is that for me, Clay was a real hero, a racer of the old school. He was out-and-out Latin, so yes, there were the red mist moments. However, there was also the aggression, never-say-die spirit that we love to see in our racers.
I was deeply saddened after Long Beach, but delighted to see him racing again just a couple of years later.
At historic events in recent years he was clearly moved, and a little surprised, at the obvious affection for him. Youngsters who had never seen him race, were only too eager to have his autograph, for this was Regazzoni, a racer from the old school.
Friday was my birthday, and what had been a good day was ruined when I logged on and read the news.
We all have our heroes, those that we fantasise about, those we would invite to our dream 'F1 dinner party', and Clay would have been high on my wish list.
Reggazoni will be sorely missed, but we have the memories...
Chris Balfe
Editor
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Pictures by David Hutson