RIP Charlie Whiting, almost my "twin"
By John Welford
@indexer (4852)
Leicester, England
March 14, 2019 3:50am CST
I have just heard about the sudden and unexpected death of Charlie Whiting, the race director of Formula 1 who had the job of starting and overseeing all the Grand Prix motor races throughout the season.
He has died from a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot on the lung), just before the first GP of the new season was about to start in Melbourne, Australia, this weekend.
One extra shock for me was the realisation that Charlie Whiting was born on 12th August 1952, which was just one day after me! Given that I was born at five minutes to midnight on the 11th, it might even be possible that Charlie arrived in this world a matter of minutes after I did - but almost certainly not in the same place!
So this apparently healthy man could suddenly keel over and die at the age of 66? It could happen to anyone! It makes one think about just how precious life is, and the importance of not wasting a moment more of it than you can help.
4 people like this
2 responses
@topffer (42155)
• France
14 Mar 19
I leave the city during the weekend of the old cars race here like half of people living near the circuit. I will vote for any candidate promising to suppress this race and to forbid this city to film makers blocking streets more than 2 days (there is actually an American film maker who is blocking streets here and there since 4 months for a super-production
And this one does not even apologize on the traffic plans they put in my mailbox every month
).
And this one does not even apologize on the traffic plans they put in my mailbox every month).2 people like this
@LadyDuck (502533)
• Italy
14 Mar 19
@topffer I know what you mean. In Monte Carlo they start to "build the tribunes" at the beginning of March. In some areas you cannot walk during 3 months. The Grand Prix lasts 1 days, but the "essais" start on Monday, they close the streets at 5 in the morning, at 6 there was the first. If you forgot, when they start the engines you immediately remember, the whole house was shaking. The last few years we lived in Monte Carlo we quit the city the week before and we came the day after the whole thing was over.
1 person likes this
. Yup, there are people paying to become deaf, and it is expensive
.
