Autosport – 22 August 2019

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GOODWOOD REVIVAL

Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner and four-time

IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti will return to

racing at next month’s Goodwood Revival for the

first time since his career-ending 2013 accident.

Franchitti, now 46, walked away from his top-flight

US single-seater career in 2013 on medical advice

after he suffered a spinal fracture and concussion.

A final-lap collision at Houston as he clipped the

stricken car of Takuma Sato sent Franchitti airborne

and into the catch fencing. Combined with injuries

previously sustained, the risk of permanent paralysis

from any further crashes meant Franchitti retired

from competitive motorsport.

Franchitti, who will drive in two races at the Revival

on 13-15 September, said: “I’m delighted to be returning

to competition at this year’s Goodwood Revival. I really

thought my racing days were behind me but it’s tough

to give up something that has been a part of my life for

so long and that I love so much. Of course, this won’t

mean a return to front-line competition – so no Indy

500. It’s simply enjoying the sport I love as an amateur.”
     Franchitti will drive a Ferrari 250 GT SWB in the
     Friday twilight Kinrara Trophy race for pre-1963 GT
     cars. It is the first time the Ferrari has raced since its
     crash at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1962.
     Nine-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Tom
     Kristensen and five-time winner Emanuele Pirro
     have also been confirmed for the race.
     In addition, Franchitti will pilot an ex-Jack Sears
     works AC Cobra in the Royal Automobile Club Tourist
     Trophy race for 1960-64 GT cars. He will share the car
     with renowned historic driver Gregor Fisken.
     “I would like to thank everyone who has helped make
     this possible, in particular my family, friends and my
     doctors,” Franchitti added. “I’m also grateful to the
     Duke of Richmond and everyone at Goodwood for
     being so supportive over the years.”
     Franchitti, who regularly demonstrates cars at the
     Festival of Speed, will join other names competing in
     the Revival, such as four-time NASCAR Cup champion
     Jeff Gordon and ex-MotoGP rider Dani Pedrosa.
     MATT KEW

INDY CHAMP FRANCHITTI

TO RACE AGAIN AT REVIVAL

Goodwood regular

Franchitti hasn’t

raced since 2013

IndyCar shunt

J BLOXHAM