Paul Tracy in his road-wrasslin' days.
Posted on 07/10/2009 10:59:17 AM PDT by InvisibleChurch
Paul Tracy thought he had a dangerous job.
The Scarborough, Ont.-born driver broke his leg on the third lap of his Indy racing debut in 1991. Since then he has fractured vertebrae, battled cervical muscle spasms and vertigo, while inventing new ways of wrecking his -- and his opponents' --cars.
But his perspective changed after yet another helicopter crash claimed two Canadian Forces members -- and injured three others -- in Afghanistan this week. Knowing that men and women are risking their lives every day for what he calls a "necessary evil," the 40-year-old now considers his high-speed collisions merely fender benders.
"It's nothing in comparison to what goes on over on the frontline of the war in Afghanistan," said Tracy, who is auctioning off his racing suit at this weekend's Honda Indy Toronto to raise money for injured troops.
"It's been a tough week for the armed forces -- and a tough month. They've had six deaths to Canadians this month and two this week. "
Tracy knows all about injuries. The veteran has seemingly spent as much time in racetrack medical centres as in the winner's circle. In teaming up with woundedwarriors.ca,he hopes to make a soldier's stay in the sick bay as comfortable as possible. The charitable organization provides support to injured soldiers in the form of clothing, toiletries and other "quality of life" items.
Fans who sponsor Tracy will be able to sign the racing suit he will wear on Sunday. "It's filling up fast, so you better hurry," the hulking driver said. Unlike his jockey-sized competitors, he has ample autograph space available. After the race, the suit will be auctioned off with Honda matching the total raised.
Despite his successful career, which includes more than 30 wins and a series championship in 2003, finding a full-time ride has been a challenge since open-wheel racing's two circuits merged and the economy crashed. Tracy has had a car for only three of the 10 races this season, and he comes in to Toronto as an underdog.
"It's tough," said Tracy, who will drive for KV Racing Technology in Toronto. "When you're not in a car for weeks or months at a time, it makes it difficult to just step in and be right back at the full throttle. It would be like a top-level hockey player who hasn't played for a year. It's tough to jump back on the ice and go like you've played before."
Of course, working in Tracy's favour is that Toronto is the place where he learned to drive. He has won twice on these streets. And with the Toronto race, which was on the ChampCar circuit, restored to the amalgamated Indy Racing League schedule after a year off, he could have an advantage over drivers who are unfamiliar with the course.
"It's a tricky track," Tracy said. "So it makes it a tough race to get through without making a mistake ... hopefully with a bit of luck, we can make that happen."
Though Tracy is literally the greybeard on the circuit, he is not about to call this his farewell race. He hopes to be back next year and the year after. But now that his former rivals --Michael Andretti and Bobby Rahal -- are retired and have been replaced by their sons -- Marco Andretti and Graham Rahal -- he understands that his career is running out of fuel.
"I don't feel old yet," he said. "But obviously I know my time in the car ... I've got a lot less time in front of me than what's behind me."
mtraikos@nationalpost.com
Paul Tracy in his road-wrasslin' days.
bimp
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