6/29/04

Remember Russell in an Appropriate Way

t's tragic when any person dies unexpectedly, but when it happens to a high-profile race driver like Darrell Russell was, it touches so many more than just his immediate friends, family members, and teammates. A death at a racetrack casts a pall over the entire event that affects every driver, team owner, crewmember, official, and fan. It's just so hard to realize the guy you spoke with and maybe joked with that morning is gone and won't ever be racing again.

And it drives home the point that no matter how big a star a driver may be, he or she is still subject to the same dangers and consequences that every competitor faces. There are no passes for greatness. Jim Clark proved it; Ayrton Senna proved it; Blaine Johnson proved it; Dale Earnhardt proved it; and now Darrell Russell has reminded everyone that Death rides with every competitor on every pass down the strip.

Then there's the thousands, even millions, of people who follow the sport even peripherally. I know race fans of all forms of motorsport grieve the loss of Russell. That's just the way race fans are -- they love the speed, the danger, even the spectacular accidents -- but they always want to see the driver climb out unscathed, give a wave to the crowd, and receive a hearty round of applause in return as a collective gesture of appreciation. Instead, this time the fans will be moved to send cards and e-mails of condolence to Russell's family and race team. In fact, Amato Racing, the team Russell raced for, has set up a special e-mail address at inmemoriam@amatoracing.com for fans to send their remembrances and letters of condolence.

Unfortunately, however, a tragic accident like this also brings out a few low-lifes seeking to profit from it. A quick check on eBay revealed only two Darrell Russell items offered for auction the morning before the accident. By Monday morning, perhaps 15 hours after the crash, there were 28 new items available, with the first appearing within minutes of ESPN2 broadcasting the news of Russell's death.

This kind of profiteering is, quite frankly, sickening. But I knew I would find it even before punching in the eBay search. It's human nature, I guess, maybe even the American way, to capitalize on a money- making opportunity, but that doesn't make it any more moral, or even forgivable. And those who bid on and purchase these items don't rank much higher on the sleazeball scale, in my opinion. If you weren't a big enough fan of Russell to seek out a photo or model car beforehand, please don't try to justify you want to remember him with one now.

So, I'm just asking everyone to please not support the vultures circling about Amato Racing and Darrell Russell's memory. Instead, do the right thing and send a note of support, maybe make a donation to the Darrell Russell Memorial Fund, Partners Bank of Texas, P.O. Box 60369, Houston, TX 77205, or just say a prayer for Russell's family, friends, and teammates. It will mean a lot more in the long run than any ill-gotten keepsake.

With condolence,

tocher@dragracingonline.com