The legend of Gilles Villeneuve page 6

To reflect on the life and legend of Gilles Villeneuve, I must say that we really didn't lose him on May 8, 1982, but the world was introduced to him on January 18, 1950. Gilles Legend grew from his birth, and still continues on today some 20 years after his death.

I am only sorry that most of today's Formula One fans never got to watch his magical style in person! Television just doesn't do justice to most especially Gilles!

They will never get to see him slide his Ferrari 312 T-4 down Linden Ave. in Long Beach! The Ferrari was completely sideways & most assume he'd would crash into the barrier, but he never did! Lap after lap the brash Canadian would defy the laws of physics! They will never witness his amazing car control in the wet! Today's fans will not get a chance to watch Gilles lap 10 seconds quicker in the wet conditions of Watkins Glen in 1979 than his closest rival! They will not marvel on how he kept 5 cars behind him at The Spanish Grand Prix in 1981, in the age when passing was much easier than in today's Formula One!

And, today's Fans rarely see or get to know a Formula One driver. They only know the sound bites allowed to us on television, and the rare interviews in magazines! I was blessed to have meet and talk with Gilles Villeneuve. He was one of the nicest persons I've ever meet! He love the fans, because he was one of them himself.

Unfortunately today's fans only have books, films, and second hand knowledge of the legend of Gilles Violence.

I hope that this small tribute to him has enlighten today's fans, and brought back some great memories to those of us who were lucky enough to have seen his magic first hand!

Doug!