Alex Zanardi - Famous pass, Laguna Seca 1996

[shhh]

Anyone remember this magic move from Alex in 96? Brilliant!

http://www.motorsportmad.com/view/29...t--famous-pass

[Tony Clifton]

I remember watching that live.
I was sitting in my living room and when Zanardi did not make the pass by the time they got through turn 4 I remember thinking "Well, Herta won, there are no more spots to pass on the track unless a miracle happens".
When they got to the top of the corkscrew and Zanardi went off line I yelled at the TV "I don't believe it!!!"

That pass made Zanardi's career.

It was always funny to hear Herta complain about Zanardi over the radio.

Nobody but nobody make a pass at the corkscrew, yet Zanardi did it.

Funny thing was Herta really came to disliking Zanardi, it seemed like every race when Herta was going to win Zanardi would pass him. It happened at Laguna Seca and it happened at Long Beach 1998, Herta also got the stiff hand at one of the Canadian races in 1997 when Alex was close to his first championship.
I was listening to my scanner, (LB 1998) Chip Ganassi kept telling Zanardi over the radio "Alex, push......Herta has worn tires" and finally Alex got by Herta at turn 1 (or it may have been 2 can't remember).
Before Herta got passed he kept calling to his pit, "my tires are worn, it is like being on ice skates right now". Pit told him to push as hard as he could without crashing.

[Davhut]

In today's world he'd have to give the lead back, being completely off the racing surface of the track and all.

[Simon Hadfield]

You mean like the F1 chaps in Japan?

[racerkeke]

Originally Posted by Davhut

In today's world he'd have to give the lead back, being completely off the racing surface of the track and all.

In fact, that's true. The rules were changed after The Pass.

What I remember about that day is being the communicator at station 8A, in my very first visit to Laguna Seca. We watched them come over the lip of the Corkscrew side by side, and the general intake of breath from the crowd must have sucked just about all the oxygen out of the air up there at the top of the hill.

It's probably the call I'll remember making all my life: "New leader 4! New leader 4!"

Gives me shivers to remember it.
keke

[mac]

Originally Posted by Davhut

In today's world he'd have to give the lead back, being completely off the racing surface of the track and all.

It's very easy to downplay it and say, "oh nowadays he wouldn't get away with it..."

But, the sheer audacity and bravery of it all, to me, outweighs any technicalities.

Motorsport is about entertainment and the absolute craziness of Zanardi's move totally ticked that box.

[Davhut]

Originally Posted by mac

But, the sheer audacity and bravery of it all, to me, outweighs any technicalities.

It's too damn bad Gilles' pass of Jochen Mass sadly didn't outweigh those technicalities.

[JohnnySTR]

watching that again zanardi definately outbraked himself and hes lucky herta didnt turn in or there would have been an accident. its funny how close together stupidity and brilliance are. regardless... makes you miss the good old days of CART

[luke]

well when tracy did at surfers paradise last year when he made no advantage..

[alonso11]

nice agressive move but he couldnt quite make it stick could he. it was good for the show but definetly not a legit way to gain a position. dunno how the rules were in CART back in the days (find it a bit odd if this move was indeed unquestionable according to them) but from go-karts onwards one of the basic rules is: two white lines, one on your left the other on your right, those are the borders of the track. You leave them with 3-wheels to make a move, fine, 4th wheel goes out, you're not allowed to finish the move or you have to give the position you gained straight away

[Davhut]

Whatever one's opinion, it was an audacious move that worked. And added to the Zanardi/US magic.
He's a hero in many ways.
I did not know about the 3 wheel rule, but certainly my 12 y.o. will this coming kart season!

[mountainstar]

Dodgy as a pass as it was, it cemented Zanardi's career and highlighted Herta to be a B level driver, good enough to win a few races but not a champion.

[luke]

After reading Alex's book it was ironic that he said he was never going to make the corner and would have taken Herta out if Herta hadn't seen him and given him room to try switch him back. I do remember though in later races Zanardi pretty much passed Herta for the lead many times which must have annoyed him especially as Zanardi replaced him at Chip Ganassi.

[Tony Clifton]

If I remember correctly, Team Rahal DID protest the zanardi pass and very quickly and quietly Wally Dallenbach ruled the pass was legal and therefore Zanardi the winner of the race.

It was a good ruling.

The pass was made on the last lap, on TV, for the lead in the last race of the season.
It made for a GREAT show and memorable event, Herta and Zanardi were racing for the lead.

If that pass was made on lap 5, Zanardi probably would have had to give up the gained position.

Sometimes, timing in life is everything, this was one of those times.

[racer69]

Pretty much as mentioned, wasn't a 'proper' move, just a desperate dive that happened to come off...probably deserved a penalty of some sort...

But what a scene to watch, as mentioned great for TV....so perhaps was ahead of its time

[Knowlesy]

A move that is somewhat overrated - but hey, who didn't squeal with excitement when it happened? A move that should be cherished for the moment rather than its technical merits.

[nycuk]

Absolutely - we're still taliking about it, 11 years on after all.

[WazzuZ28]

My first trip to Laguna Seca was the 1996 CART race...I left the track addicted to ChampCar and a Zanardi fan for life