RIP: Clay Regazzoni 1939-2006
We're saddened to report the untimely passing of former F1 driver Gianclaudio "Clay" Regazzoni. Clay was killed yesterday when he collided with a truck in the northern Italian city of Parma, where he was reportedly driving at high speed and failed to stop in time as he met an unexpected traffic jam.
Born in the Italian sector of Switzerland only days after the end of World War II, Clay Regazzoni rose through the ranks all the way to Formula One, where he raced alongside such greats as Niki Lauda and Jacky Ickx at such teams as Ferrari and Williams. Clay's record includes five grand prix victories, and he was known as a particularly reckless driver.
In 1980 Regazzoni was paralyzed from the waist down when the brakes on his Ensign F1 car failed during the grand prix at Long Beach, resulting in a terrible crash that sent his car flying into a concrete barrier at the end of the straightaway. In subsequent years, Clay fought an often uphill battle for certification to compete in racing cars modified with hand controls, and found success racing in off-road rallies as well as in endurance sportscar racing.
Clay was only 67 upon his death. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.
[Source: GrandPrix.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
RWD fan 8:21PM (12/16/2006)
The dates listed in the title say 1939-2006, yet the article says he was born days after WWII. Something's amiss...
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uar 10:16PM (12/16/2006)
should say: was born Sept. 5th. 1939, days after the outbreak of WW II
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Quattrofan 1:08AM (12/17/2006)
...died driving at high speed. I bet he did not mind going that way!
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Ardito Saetta 3:26AM (12/17/2006)
Clay, a modern hero. Here videos about great Regazzoni:
http://autonovita.blogosfere.it/2006/12/addio-a-un-eroe-moderno-clay-regazzoni.html
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Dario Favilla 5:03AM (12/17/2006)
Clay is smiling, I'm sure.
http://mondoauto.blogosfere.it/2006/12/clay-regazzoni-lassu-sarai-felice-cosi.html
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COWBOY BOB 5:20AM (12/17/2006)
I met Clay 30 years ago. He was a racer. Nothing better can be said.
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Rich 7:19AM (12/17/2006)
It is probably the wrong time to note this - the untimely death of anyone deserves respect - but it seems to me that the circumstances of his death were all the more tragic due to his recklessness. A racer should know that the only place to die of excessive speed should be at the track where he puts no innocents at risk. Nonetheless, RIP.
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Marco 7:20AM (12/17/2006)
Ciao Clay! Ci mancherai!!!!
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Marcel 2:10PM (12/17/2006)
Just a side note: There is no "Italian" sector in Switzerland. clay was born in the canton of Ticino, which is an Italian-speaking canton of Switzerland.
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Paul B 4:59PM (12/21/2006)
Clay competed in the recent Carrera Sudamericana rally and again showed his love for motor sport. All those that new him will undoubtedly miss his absolute determination to succeed regardless of his disability. Sleep well.
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Colin Ward 10:00AM (12/27/2006)
Friday 6 April 1973, a friend and I took the afternoon off to go to Silverstone for practice for that weekend's Daily Express International Trophy.In those days you could actually talk to the Drivers in the paddock. I had the pleasure to talk to Clay who was driving for Marlboro BRM that year.He was charming
and gave me his autograph on the programme which I still have and treasure even more now . Race in Peace Clay.
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hilton 11:54AM (10/29/2007)
To Colin Ward
From Christopher Hilton
I write booka sbout motor sport and at Present I putting one together for Haynes on Regga. I'd like to include your anecdote and broaden it. Please pop me an e-mail and we can take it from there.
gerry 4:21PM (1/02/2007)
clay is gone to the racing circuit in the sky?? love to be a fly on the wall there listening to the stories,, rest in peace u were truly a hero...
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