Zanardi approaches life to the max

Racing series: CHAMPCAR F1 ETCC
Date: 2004-10-20

By Anne Proffit, Senior Editor - Motorsport.com

If you expected Alex Zanardi to lose his zest for life after having both legs amputated above the knee by a competitor's race car at EuroSpeedway Lausitz on September 15, 2001 you'd be wrong. Zanardi, who claims he hasn't shed a tear over the incident that nearly claimed his life as well as his limbs doesn't want to hear about it.

He’s moved on since then - to the European Touring Car Championship among other things - and it is no surprise to anyone who reads "Alex Zanardi - My Sweetest Victory", a soft-bound nearly 6x9" volume coming to the American market on October 25th through Bentley Publishers.

Published in his native Italy last year, the 420-page autobiography reads just as Zanardi speaks and one can almost hear his slight lisp. With more than 60 images - many from the family archives - this book details the 1997- 98 CART champ's rise from chubby-cheeked kart racer to Formula One.

Zanardi's story rings true to anyone who's ever followed his career; his explanations of why he's done what he has are understandable and his recitations of [continuing] trials to subsist on his own terms following that awful day near Dresden are inspiring.

Perhaps Zanardi hasn't cried since that fateful day but readers might shed a tear or two at the telling. This perfect gift for any racing fan - or someone in need of inspiration - comes at a completely doable cost: $17.95.

Editor's Note: Motorsport.com, Inc. was offered the opportunity to review Alex Zanardi - My Sweetest Victory. Anne Proffit, Senior Editor covering openwheel racing was asked to do the review. Our thanks to Gabriele Pedrone and Alex Zanardi for allowing us the sneak preview.

Information on purchase and dates for Zanardi's November US appearances on behalf of Alex Zanardi - My Sweetest Victory are available through: www.BentleyPublishers.com

Read this review at http://www.motorsport.com.