Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: albitz on 13 September 2012, 13:13:49

Title: R.I.P Sid Watkins
Post by: albitz on 13 September 2012, 13:13:49
I just read that Professor Sid Watkins has died. For many years he was the doctor who attended all the F1 races and was in the medical car which attended drivers at the scene of accidents on the circuit.
He fought tooth and nail for proper medical and safety facilities for F1 racing and the current level of medical cover is due to his efforts.
He attended all of the serious accidents since some time in the 70,s and spoke in very heartfelt terms about many of them in his autobiography,particularily the Senna accident,as he was a very close personal friend of Senna,s.
I would strongly recommend his biography* to anyone with even a passing interest in motorsport.Its an absolutely superb book,and left me with the impression that he was a truely great man.
Rest in peace Sid. :(

* Life at the limit. Triumph and tragedy in F1 by Sid Watkins.
Title: Re: R.I.P Sid Watkins
Post by: cleggy on 13 September 2012, 13:41:57
He was certainly a force for the good in F1, his knowledge saved many drivers from more serious injury with him being on the scene.

A legend, and I agree with Albitz his book is a must read.

RIP Professor Sid watkins
Title: Re: R.I.P Sid Watkins
Post by: aaronjb on 13 September 2012, 14:12:18
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/motorsport/19578977

Sad day for motorsport, indeed.
Title: Re: R.I.P Sid Watkins
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 13 September 2012, 14:13:34
F1 is far too safe these days.

You're far more likely to die driving your Omega than an F1 car.

Last fatality was almost 20 years ago, and I can't even remember the one before that.

Moto GP is far more exciting. :y
Title: Re: R.I.P Sid Watkins
Post by: Kevin Wood on 13 September 2012, 14:25:23
Sad to hear he's gone. Kept out of the limelight most of the time but he was one of the main drivers behind dragging F1 out of the bloodbath it had become by the 70's.

I can recommend his book. Fascinating.
Title: Re: R.I.P Sid Watkins
Post by: albitz on 13 September 2012, 14:30:07
Sad to hear he's gone. Kept out of the limelight most of the time but he was one of the main drivers behind dragging F1 out of the bloodbath it had become by the 70's.

I can recommend his book. Fascinating.

I actually need a new copy.My paperback version got read so many times that it fell apart. :y
Not sure if the second one is an update,or a different book altogether ?  :-\
Title: Re: R.I.P Sid Watkins
Post by: Kevin Wood on 13 September 2012, 14:33:00
Sad to hear he's gone. Kept out of the limelight most of the time but he was one of the main drivers behind dragging F1 out of the bloodbath it had become by the 70's.

I can recommend his book. Fascinating.

I actually need a new copy.My paperback version got read so many times that it fell apart. :y
Not sure if the second one is an update,or a different book altogether ?  :-\

I'll have to check which one I've got now. Must have read it a couple of years ago.
Title: Re: R.I.P Sid Watkins
Post by: GastronomicKleptomaniac on 13 September 2012, 16:09:25
RIP - got his book in a charity shop and couldn't put it down.
Title: Re: R.I.P Sid Watkins
Post by: omegod on 13 September 2012, 16:47:07
F1 is far too safe these days.

You're far more likely to die driving your Omega than an F1 car.

Last fatality was almost 20 years ago, and I can't even remember the one before that.

Moto GP is far more exciting. :y

Shame the Americans have not upped their safety though, I recall a young English lad died last year :(
Title: Re: R.I.P Sid Watkins
Post by: feeutfo on 13 September 2012, 19:29:46
Ar sad news. Rip Sid. :(

I'll check the book out. :y
Title: Re: R.I.P Sid Watkins
Post by: henryd on 13 September 2012, 22:36:28
R I P Sid,F1 has lost a giant of a man :'(