Amputated legs, he will participate in a 24-hour race in a BMW

REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini

Germain Goyer

Monday, 18 December, 2017 18:15

UPDATE
Monday, 18 December, 2017 18:15

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Following a severe accident in 2001 when he ran in the CART series racing car, Alex Zanardi has been amputated of his two legs. But it did not take away his passion for the race.

Today 51 years old, he has just signed with the team BMW for editing 2019 of the 24 Hours of Daytona.

For the occasion, BMW will prepare a M8 EWG adapted to his physical condition.

Jens Marquardt and @lxznr just announced that Alex will compete in the 2019 Daytona 24-hour race in a modified BMW M8 EWG! He will now start his “Road to Daytona”, including development works on a new braking system. #BMWSeasonReview17 #RoadtoDaytona pic.twitter.com/6S0mXNu0qp

— BMW Motorsport (@BMWMotorsport)
December 15, 2017

Given that this is an endurance race that, as the title of the event suggests, stretches for 24 hours, the car will be shared with three other drivers. By doing this, it will be necessary to adapt the self so that it can be carried out without problem by the other aces of the steering wheel.

Moreover, we must not lose sight of the fact that the driver changes must be done as quickly as possible during this type of race. There was not a second to lose !

Interestingly, Zanardi has also won four gold medals in cycling paralympic at paralympic Games. He has also competed in Formula 1 from 1991 to 1994 and in 1999. This man is without doubt an exceptional athlete.

Alex Zanardi waving the chequered flag at a race Molson Indy in Toronto

REUTERS/Mike Cassese