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29 Sep 2014, 09:49 (Ref:3458526) | #1 | ||
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Remembering Don Watson - 20 years on
Hard to believe it was 20 years ago today that Don Watson was killed in the opening minutes of the first Thursday practice session of the 1994 Bathurst 1000.
Watson suffered a front left brake rotor failure, causing him to lose brakes and steering as he entered the chase causing him to go straight ahead into the then earth and tyre wall in the gravel trap at an undiminished speed. They say you never forget your first fatal and it's your worst and even 20 years on I have to agree. |
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29 Sep 2014, 10:07 (Ref:3458529) | #2 | ||
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I concur with your thoughts PVDA-over my 50+ years officiating fatalities have been far too frequent occurrences and having been in the position of being intimately involved as a senior official they knock you around.
Years ago we had no peer support and race chaplain to help everybody through the dark times so guess we are far better off today. I always try to think positively that the driver was doing something they loved. Every time I am at a track I say a private prayer for those who have succumbed and trust the day's racing will be safe and enjoyable for all, the competitor, their family and friends, the volunteer officials as well as the public attending. |
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29 Sep 2014, 11:15 (Ref:3458543) | #3 | |
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Amen!
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29 Sep 2014, 11:31 (Ref:3458548) | #4 | ||
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RIP Don Watson
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Somebody asked if the McLaren F1 was going to be like the Ferrari F40, Gordon Murray replied, "I don't think so, there's no one at McLaren who can weld that badly." |
29 Sep 2014, 20:05 (Ref:3458690) | #5 | ||
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I actually thought about Don only yesterday after one of the immaculate Don Watson Transport semis lumbered past me on the Hume Highway.
RIP |
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Punters Beer Fest. Indy 02, Clipsal 03, Winton 04, Paperclip 05, Darwin 06, Oran Park 07, Phillip Island 08, Sandown 09, Townsville 10, Symmons 11, Eastern Creek 12, Winton 13. Townsville 14. Paperclip 15, Sandown 16, Symmons 17, PI 18, The Bend 19 |
29 Sep 2014, 20:34 (Ref:3458700) | #6 | ||
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What if there were no hypothetical questions? |
29 Sep 2014, 22:46 (Ref:3458732) | #7 | |
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Yeah, likewise.
I was probably a little too young for it to have much of an effect on me at the time, but looking back now, at the point where it all went pear-shaped, the poor bloke would've seen what was waiting for him from a long way back. RIP |
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30 Sep 2014, 03:38 (Ref:3458762) | #8 | ||
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MT PANORAMA IS BEST!!! |
30 Sep 2014, 07:55 (Ref:3458793) | #9 | |
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I was on the hume on my way up to the track when i heard. right at that moment a Don Watson transport went passed going the other way. it seemed significant at the time
a sad moment in Bathurst history. fortunately there have no been too many incidents like this at Bathurst in the cars. Praying there will be none this year |
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30 Sep 2014, 12:40 (Ref:3458880) | #10 | ||
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The hardest part of watching that footage is Larry's reaction, I am sure he blamed himself somewhat.
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30 Sep 2024, 02:36 (Ref:4229021) | #11 | ||
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It was 30 years to the day yesterday that we lost Don Watson.
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30 Sep 2024, 05:01 (Ref:4229025) | #12 | ||
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Go woke, Go broke… #CANCERSUCKS #GOCHIKO Here’s hoping a random universe works out in your favour… The meaning of life… ENJOYING THE PASSAGE OF TIME! |
19 Oct 2024, 23:10 (Ref:4231609) | #13 | |
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Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 330
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Although sadly Don is no longer with us, his legacy lives on through Don Watson Transport whose 150 trucks are still a regular site on our highways.
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