Niki with his mechanic, Ermanno Cuoghi at Watkins Glen 1976
I was recently traveling in New York to visit Watkins Glen and the International Motor Racing Research Center located there when I learned the news of Niki Lauda's passing. I was shocked at first as I thought Niki was invincible. After all, he lived through his crash at the Nürburgring in 1976, and he was there in front of my camera in Watkins Glen a little over two months later battling for the world championship. Nothing would take Niki down. He was a tough guy. Tough guys don't die!
But it happened and now the racing world is experiencing a huge loss of this larger than life personality. I've been thinking how can I pay tribute to my hero?, so I've published this post to honor him with an excellent video attached. My last post before going to New York was about Niki and James Hunt, never expecting that shortly thereafter Niki would be lost to all of us that were fortunate enough to have seen him race.
I am proud to have a picture of Niki on the starting grid at Watkins Glen October 10,1976 on the cover of my new book "Echoes From The Glen" and equally proud to have the IMRRC offering the book for sale in Watkins Glen. (I'm giving $5.00 donation for each book sold there so click on the link below to get yours)
But first, here's a wonderful interview with Niki that will give you a sense of the man. He was a one of a kind.
Graham Bensinger Interview With Niki Lauda
And here's a tribute by the Mercedes F1 team and staff that is very well done:
Mercedes Team Tribute To Niki
And here's "The Logbook" newsletter from the International Motor Racing Research Center. Scroll down to the Race Shop to see my new book!
The Logbook- IMRRC
Next Up - I'll be at Sahlen's Six Hours of the Glen for the IMSA race. Stay tuned for pictures.
Hope you enjoyed this tribute to an incredible man. I was one of the lucky fans to see him race.
Paul Ziegler, Publisher and author of "Echoes From The Glen"
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