Passionate da Matta's world changes in the blink of an eye

Mike Brudenell, Detroit Free Press

August 8, 2006

Things can change in a blink of an eye in racing.

Cristiano da Matta's freak collision with a deer during Champ Car testing at Road America in Wisconsin last week is an example of how delicately balanced life and death are, particularly while driving a vehicle.

Last year, the son of a friend of mine swerved to miss a deer while traveling north on I-75, losing control of his SUV and flipping. His girlfriend died in the accident.

Returning from Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn following the Indy Racing League event there on July 30, I narrowly avoided a deer that had bounded across U.S. 12.

I was lucky.

Da Matta, 32, who remains heavily sedated and in serious condition in hospital with a closed-head injury, was testing at the wooded 4.2-mile track in Elkhart Lake, Wis., with nine other cars. The little Brazilian was just in the wrong place at the wrong time when the deer wandered on to the racecourse.

Having spent a couple of days with da Matta during spring testing at Sebring International Raceway in Florida in March, I can tell you he's an engrossing fellow, with a passion for life and motor racing. I don't think he'd lay blame on anyone in regards to the incident Thursday.

In 2002, da Matta won the Champ Car title for Newman/Haas Racing. He won four races in succession -- at Laguna Seca, Portland, Chicago and Toronto.

He took a shot at Formula One in 2003-04, driving for Toyota and recording sixth-place finishes at Monaco, Spain and Germany -- his best efforts in 28 starts.

Da Matta, who lives in Miami, returned to Champ Car last year, frustrated, he said, with F1's politics.

"I enjoy my racing here and also living in America," said da Matta, in much the same way Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya expressed his recent departure from F1 for NASCAR.

Last year, da Matta, who has 12 Champ Car wins, drove for PKV Racing. He's now running for RuSport and is sixth in series points.

In 2002, da Matta won a tiebreaker in beating NASCAR champion Tony Stewart for the Speed Channel's Driver of the Year Award.

Da Matta's family has asked that instead of flowers or gifts concerned fans send a donation in his name to "Hole in the Wall Camps," an official charity of Champ Car.

Information can be found at www.holeinthewallcamps.org or by calling 203-562-1203.