INSPIRATION: Steve Tarrant, left, meets fellow motorsport amputee Alessandro Zanardi

 

AMPUTEE Steve Tarrant from Poole who lost his right leg four years ago when he was hit by a racing car during the 2000 Goodwood Festival of Speed, met up with the man who has provided him with inspiration.

 

Former Grand Prix racer Alessandro Zanardi lost both his legs in a horrific crash during a Champ Car race in Germany but has battled back to return to racing in the European Touring Car Championship.

 

The pair, who have corresponded by e-mail in the past, met up for the first time when Steve was marshalling at the weekend during the European Touring Car race meeting at Donington Park where Alessandro was driving for BMW.

 

"Steve sent me a few messages right after my accident, which were both moving and encouraging. And when he contacted me again a few months ago, saying that he wished to meet me personally at Donington, I was very pleased," said Alessandro.

 

"For me it was a very emotional moment, " added Steve.

 

"Both Alex and I love our sport very much, and we are still participating despite what happened to us.

"Life's going on, this is our passion and we've got to live it."

 

It was a busy weekend for Steve, who as well as Donington was also at the Goodwood Festival of Speed to lay a wreath at the spot where his life-threatening accident happened - the accident cost the lives of the driver, John Dawson-Damer, and another marshal, Andy Carpenter.