Giovanni Amadeo (Osella mechanic, Zolder '81) - TNF's Archive (2024)

Amazin

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I was reading the following on 8W about Sigfried Stohr:

On Friday, there had been tragedy in the cramped Zolder pitlane, as Carlos Reutemann had inadvertently run over Osella mechanic Giovanni Amadeo. The poor Italian was in bad shape after the unfortunate accident, being transported to hospital with serious head injuries, sustained during his fall. Understandably, the mechanics were livid with the organizers and the FISA and got full support from the drivers.

Not to be thought as morbid, but how exactly did Lole 'ran over' the mechanic ? I vaguely remember an accident at Cart (Miami GP?) where a track worker was hit by a car (Johansson?), but he wasn't seriously hurt, as "only" the rear wheel ran over him.

Amazin

maxie

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According to the 1981 F1 Review Tape, Amadeo stumbled in the crowded pitlane and fell onto the path of Reutemann, and got his head trapped at one of the tyres. He sustained serious head injuries and would die the Monday after the race. Incidentally, the Belgian GP was Reutemann's last F1 win.

Amazin

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So Lole ran a wheel over Amadeo's head ?

eldougo

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ZOLDER was a s--t of a place the pits where to small we where forever getting brushed
on the legs by cars coming in an out at full speed in those days on speed restrictions.
I have seen mechanics pinned up against the wall -- Leg,s run over while they where changing
tyres etc. I came away from MONACO with a very sore leg 1976. I think now that place is the
PITS when it comes to space.

maxie

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Originally posted by Amazin
So Lole ran a wheel over Amadeo's head ?

Sorry, I'm not sure. The review tape only gave us the information I have stated above.

cheesy poofs

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AFAIK - The Osella mechanic stepped back ( without looking ) and had his foot go between the Williams' front wheel and sidepod. Amadeo was thrown and smashed his head heavily on the ground. Reutemann - who was peeling out of the pits - had no chance to avoid him.

HistoryFan

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Are there any pictures of this accident?

john t

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Why would you want pictures?

Paul Taylor

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Originally posted by HistoryFan
Are there any pictures of this accident?

A friend had this on his hard drive...no idea where it came from previously so I can't verify whether this is it or not. Discretion is advised:
http://img260.images...81zolderyb3.jpg

Pedro 917

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That wasn't necessary.... Whats the purpose of all this?

f1steveuk

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Sadly, sometimes it does have a purpose. Part of my job used to be investigating accidents, both current, and from the past, in order to develop safety measures, and procedures. I had to look at some very unsavoury pictures, some of people I knew, bu there are things to be learnt, although in this instant I'm not sure what it is.....

Trouble is, it is part of the sport we love, you can't hide from it.

Pedro 917

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OK Steve, investigating was your job, that's something else. As HistoryFan is also requiring pictures of the accident of Christian Fittipaldi in another thread, I'm just wondering why he needs these kind of pictures?

fines

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Oh my, the moral police is on the prowl again...

Ruairidh

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Originally posted by fines
Oh my, the moral police is on the prowl again...

Jeez, Michael enough of the sarcasm, please.

I'm with the others here who do not believe this kind of stuff has a place here. The tragic story of what happened in that pitlane in 1981 is (more than) enough.

Seeing a picture of stretcher containing a body of a man about to die because of an horrible accident in a pitlane plays no part in my passion for motor racing history. Maybe it does for others?

Ruairidh

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Originally posted by Pedro 917
As HistoryFan is also requiring pictures of the accident of Christian Fittipaldi in another thread, I'm just wondering why he needs these kind of pictures?

Me too.

HistoryFan

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Originally posted by john t
Why would you want pictures?

For my archive. What's the matter?
I know that topic divides men in different views, but I'm sure, you all have pictures from Ayrton Sennas deadly accident in your archiv`? Why?
You can be sure, that I'm not happy about accidents.

frp

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Originally posted by HistoryFan

... but I'm sure, you all have pictures from Ayrton Sennas deadly accident in your archiv`?

I haven't.

Tim Murray

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Originally posted by HistoryFan
. . . but I'm sure, you all have pictures from Ayrton Sennas deadly accident in your archiv`?

I most sincerely hope that you are joking.

Doug Nye

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We have different chips installed within our minds. I guess each of us lack one or another. Alleged HistoryFan lacks one that some of us plainly value. Maybe he can say the same of us.

But speaking personally, while acknowledging that I don't have to look, I'd prefer NOT to see such s*$t here.

That was a very sad weekend for several families and friends. Its memory will affect them still.

DCN

jj2728

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Originally posted by HistoryFan

For my archive. What's the matter?
I know that topic divides men in different views, but I'm sure, you all have pictures from Ayrton Sennas deadly accident in your archiv`? Why?

what's the MATTER?...ever been to a race and seen a horrific accident with terrible consequences for those involved?.....if you had, i doubt very much you'd have senna's accident photos in your archive.....i dare say that some of us who frequent this site have seen such accidents and tho it does not deter our love for the sport, it DOES leave a lasting lifelong impression..... and the way some of these theads turn into a morbid trip down memory lane is disturbing to me......jesus, some of you people are clueless........

man

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I believe in acknowledging all aspects of motor racing - accidents, injuries, sometimes death are all inherently part of the game as much as adjusting tyre pressures. Nothing wrong with requesting such imagery. After all, perhaps being exposed to such an image would be enough to put a person ''off'' motor racing.

Such imagery serves a purpose just as Don McCullin's photos of the Vietnam war did.

r.atlos

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It is a pity HistoryFan does not play with open cards. Unless I am mistaken he is moderator of an Austrian motorsport forum called www.adrivo.com where he offices under the pseudo MichaelZ.

HistoryFan

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why don't I play with open cards? I only had an different nickname, as you also had ;)
I made not secret, that I'm MichaelZ...

I'm sorry, that you think that I'm a guy which is proud of seeing such photos. But okay, I never ask of such photos here.

Best
Michael

john t

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Maybe it's a little like a death in a crowded street. Some people crowd around and gawp at the body while the rest of us walk away...........

Twin Window

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This thread is going nowhere chaps...