Rick76
15-02-2004, 02:13 PM
The widow of motorsport legend Barry Sheene will wave the chequered flag at the end of next month’s Australian Grand Prix.
Dual 500cc motorcycle world champion Sheene had been set to wave the flag at last year’s Albert Park race, but was too ill to attend, and died the next day following a battle with cancer.
But in a fitting end to the season-opening race this year, Sheene’s contribution to motorsport both as a competitor and as a commentator will be recognised when Stephanie Sheene salutes the winner.
“I’m not a person who seeks the limelight, but I was very touched when the Australian Grand Prix Corporation invited me to wave the flag at the end of this year’s Formula One race in Melbourne,” Stephanie Sheene said.
“Motor racing was Barry’s life and passion and he had been looking forward to this honour last year, but unfortunately he wasn’t well enough to do it. I’ll feel very proud and humble to ‘do the honours’ for him on March 7.”
“I was shocked when Ron Walker (Chairman of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation) rang me with the invitation, but it was very touching. It was lovely, and when I had time to think about it I felt a sentimental sense of duty to do it.”
Asked who she expects or indeed hopes to see cross the line first in a few weeks, Sheene added that there are three drivers in the field that she would be happy to see win.
“I’ve got to say Jenson Button, because he’s the favourite driver of my daughter Sidonie, son Freddie, and I,” Stephanie Sheene added. “Jenson’s a friend and it would be lovely to wave that flag as an Englishman won his first Grand Prix.”
“He’s been going very well in testing in Europe and Barry would be so thrilled to see him win. I’d love to see Mark Webber, the Aussie, do really well, too - especially as he’s racing for Jaguar, a great British name.”
“But I’d also be very happy to see Michael Schumacher win again because he’s just the superstar.”
Link (http://www.sportal.com.au/motorsport.asp?i=news&id=47915)
Dual 500cc motorcycle world champion Sheene had been set to wave the flag at last year’s Albert Park race, but was too ill to attend, and died the next day following a battle with cancer.
But in a fitting end to the season-opening race this year, Sheene’s contribution to motorsport both as a competitor and as a commentator will be recognised when Stephanie Sheene salutes the winner.
“I’m not a person who seeks the limelight, but I was very touched when the Australian Grand Prix Corporation invited me to wave the flag at the end of this year’s Formula One race in Melbourne,” Stephanie Sheene said.
“Motor racing was Barry’s life and passion and he had been looking forward to this honour last year, but unfortunately he wasn’t well enough to do it. I’ll feel very proud and humble to ‘do the honours’ for him on March 7.”
“I was shocked when Ron Walker (Chairman of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation) rang me with the invitation, but it was very touching. It was lovely, and when I had time to think about it I felt a sentimental sense of duty to do it.”
Asked who she expects or indeed hopes to see cross the line first in a few weeks, Sheene added that there are three drivers in the field that she would be happy to see win.
“I’ve got to say Jenson Button, because he’s the favourite driver of my daughter Sidonie, son Freddie, and I,” Stephanie Sheene added. “Jenson’s a friend and it would be lovely to wave that flag as an Englishman won his first Grand Prix.”
“He’s been going very well in testing in Europe and Barry would be so thrilled to see him win. I’d love to see Mark Webber, the Aussie, do really well, too - especially as he’s racing for Jaguar, a great British name.”
“But I’d also be very happy to see Michael Schumacher win again because he’s just the superstar.”
Link (http://www.sportal.com.au/motorsport.asp?i=news&id=47915)