Racing leaves its scars...

[Greg Collier]

This is a communication from the Grass Roots Motorsports website that I recieved and responded to today. It's been almost 2 years ago that Bill Blauvelt died in a NASA racing accident at Buttonwillow Race Park. (One of my favorite tracks)

Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2005 3:52 am

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RealRideRacing wrote:
Hey Greg,
On Sunday, I will be taking Adriana (Bill's widow) and his 3 year old son to the Buttonhook corner where Bill was killed. She's flying in from NYC and has never been to the accident site before. She's going to ask every question and ask me to spare no details. I'll have to explain how her husband lost control of his race car, slid sideways and plunged into a dirt embankment causing him to break his neck because he had no side protection on his race seat.
If there's an easier way to explain this, I'm all ears.... for once, I CAN wait for the weekend!


Laser Wrote:
Wow David, what a heavy burden. You must have been and continue to be a really good friend to Bill and his family. The fact that his wife some two years later wants to revisit the accident makes me feel like she’s searching for some closer to this terrible ordeal. We all need to make some sense out of the curve balls that life throws at us especially when we lose someone as close as a spouse. The coulda’s, woulda’s, and shoulda’s, don’t seem to really matter with the reality of “what is, right now.”

Since Adriana wasn’t there for Bills death, maybe her being there at the Buttonhook will give some connection between the two of them to say goodbye. With your guidance and love for Bill you can help to start that healing process. I know it will be a difficult moment for you, but if anybody, it’s you that will help to make that connection.

I’ll be praying for you dude . . .

Greg
_________________
PLYMOUTH LASER RS TURBO

 

[Rx3]

That's depressing.

 

[Defiant]

That's on a track. That's with safety equipment, and no traffic, and no distractions, and corner workers and on-scene fire and rescue.

And I get grief for closing street racing threads.

Not many people really expect their deaths, and those who race cars are pretty much at-ease with crashing. But sometimes things just happen. I guess it's best for the survivors to know what and how, if they're of that sort.

I'm glad I'm not the one giving her that tour.

 

[GSTinCO]

Wow that's really sad, you can think something might happen but you never want it to happen. Hopefully this will help her deal.

 

[aaronm_2003]

I'm glad I'm not the one giving her that tour.

That is an understatement. That would be one of the worst things to have to do. Like a doctor/police officer telling a family their loved one died.

 

[project_tsi]

Its going to be a sad day for everyone there, I'm sure. I hope it will (hopefully) bring some closure to this for the family. There will plenty of tears still, but now I'm sure some will be tears of joy, celebrating Bill's life and career and what he loved to do. 2 years later, thats what I would want my family to do.

 

[Ludachris]

Racing is dangerous, no matter how much safety equipment is involved. You hate to hear stories like this - it sure keeps things in perspective, doesn't it? It's sad that Bill's wife wasn't with him when he passed. I'm sure that just adds to the agony. Finding closure in a situation like that can't be easy.

Give your loved ones a hug as much as can.

 

[4pistons]

Any unexpected death is a heavy burden for the family but look at it from Bills point of view. I'm SURE he didn't want that time and space to die but he died doing the thing he passionately loved and chose to do. Imagine if he'd been killed on the way home from work by a drunk driver, or a stray bullet from a gangbanger. THAT would be a tragedy!

As I've told my own family, I want to live to old age. But if I die sooner doing the things that I love, which make my life worth living, then it wasn't tragic.

My prayers go out to his family and to the guy with enough strength and courage to honor the widows request for explanation and closure. That is a true friend.

Rick - '91 GSX

 

[Greg Collier]

I received a note from David regarding last Sundays meeting with Bill's widow at Buttonwillow Racepark. There happened to be a motorcycle race that weekend so Adriana got a feeling for the track with all the action going on. She was able to stand alone where her husband has pasted away and said a prayer. David noted that as they were leaving the track Adriana said she thought she was going to hate the place, instead she remarked that she felt a "positive vibe". David concluded with, "she's a very strong woman indeed..."

Greg