21 years

[Mark]

Has it really been that long?!

[journeyman racer]

Sir Jack, Peter Brock, James Hunt, Roland Ratzenberger, Greg Moore, any other motor racing death. I often forget the date of their death. Quietly feeling embarrassed.

I never ever. Ever, ever, ever, ever, ever. Ever forget May 1st.

[airshifter]

It seems like it was so much more recent.

At least he went doing something he loved, and had inspired so many. It's a shame the safety didn't ramp up sooner, but the fact that this shook so many has had a major impact on keeping those after him safe.

It's rather a tragedy that the man putting pressure on him that day is all but gone due to a freak accident after surviving so many years racing.

[moto99]

Actually 21 years and 1 day. Roland Ratzenberger died on April 30th. You should correct the title.

[AAReagles]

May 8 stuck out to me, but over years the significance of that date faded along with my interest with the sport. Times change, people change, I suppose.

Senna's passing cemented my disassociation of F1 even more so, not sure why. Wasn't a big fan of his, but I enjoyed watching him race.

The accident and the immediate aftermath of ER crews on the scene - unfold on live TV - was surreal. Then later on the confirmation of fatality was... well... unbelievable.

Only the next morning at work, with people who didn't follow the sport, asking me about Senna, did it sink in.

That's how big of an event that was - where even common folk took notice.

[Jag_Warrior]

Other than the deaths of family members, no death has affected me more than what I saw on television that day.

[moto99]

The Fomula 1 has become so much safer after Senna's death.

[moto99]

He was very dangerous. He said that 'God showed him way'. He was performing dangerous moves without thinking about consequences. In the end God showed him the final wall.

[kfzmeister]

In the end God showed him the final wall.

Not sure that i agree with that. I think God sent Sid Watkins to tell him to not race and rather go fishing. Senna ignored that one......

[AAReagles]

If Senna quit racing - at 34 - he may as well have been dead. He had too much talent to just sit idle.


Besides that, I'd be willing bet some here can relate to the addiction of speed. As Jim Clark was once quoted -"Racing is like smoking cigarettes. It gets into your blood."

Walk away? It's not that easy.