It was only the 72nd start to Greg Moore's CART career. On Sunday, October the 31st of 1999, in Fontana California, Greg's dream had ended so suddenly. Greg Moore was only 24 years old. He had accomplished so much in those short years. This tragedy has left the world in shock, sadness, and disbelief. No one wants to believe that it is true. For many people, Greg was their idol, their role model, their hero, and many people refered to him as their friend. He was always a pleasure to be around, and was always a jokester at the track. Not seeing his smile, and his fun loving spirit at the races is going to be very difficult.
The first Molson Indy Toronto I went to was in 1997. I will never forget the first time I saw Greg Moore. I was sitting in the grandstands and there was barely anyone there that day since it was only qualyfing. I looked up onto pit lane, and I saw him going by on his scooter. I don't know to this day why I did this, but I jumped up out of my seat and screamed. Everyone looked at me, and I could see that Greg looked back from his scooter. I was so embarassed. But that year I did not get to meet Greg, because when I saw him, I could not speak, I just stood there watching him. I was fortunate enough to get a couple pictures of him waving at the camera for me though.
In the summer of 1998, I was lucky enough to meet Greg Moore. That year, my best friend Maggie and I wrote his name on ourselves, and we got Greg to sign so many things for us, and he never said no. He didn't even say no when we asked him, "Can you sign us?" Greg smiled and laughed as he said, "If you want me to!" I said, "yes!" "Its permentant you know!" he said, and I just replied by saying, "that is totally fine! I don't care!". So then the whole weekend we had his signature on us, and were trying so hard not to rubb it off. I asked Greg for a hug, and he smiled and said "suuuure". We stood there and hugged for about 10 seconds, and when we let go, I could barely say thank you because I was trying so hard to keep my tears inside because I was so happy. That was the best day of my life, and I know that I will never forget it.
This year the 1999 Molson Indy was amazing. Maggie and I were interviewed by television crews about Greg, and we were also in the newspaper. I took 11 rolls of film, just of Greg. Maggie and I had his name on us again and we were always in the Player's paddock. Greg signed 13 things for me, including some of my drawings that I did of him, and a shirt I made with his name and number 99 on it, also pictures that I took of him, and much more. The thing that meant a lot to me was, that he knew who his biggest fans were. When we kept asking him to sign things for us, he never said "no more, you have to many" he was always willing to sign things for me. But I remember a little boy that had about two autographs of Greg's and when he asked for another one, Greg said "no more bud, ya got enough". But then, for me, he never turned me down once. The one thing that I do not know about Greg that I have been trying to find out for years, is his middle name. So, I decided to ask him. I said, "Greg, can I ask you a question?" he said, "sure!" I said that I have been looking for this for years now and I can't find it, so I decided to ask you." He said, "alright what is it?" I said, "what is your middle name?" Then Greg just laughed and said "nooo, I can't tell you that!" I asked why not? and he said "it is way to embarassing!" I said "aww come on, why not?" he just smiled and said, "nope sorry!".
I have so many of memories of Greg, and it is so hard to believe that I will never see him again. I was devastated when I heard, and I still am. I can't believe that it happened. It shouldn't have happened to Greg. He did not deserve it, he was the best at what he did and never let anyone tell him otherwise. If I have learned anything from Greg Moore, it is to be the best you can be, and never give up on your dreams. He was lucky enough to have his dream come true at such a young age. And I am sure that that inspires so many more people in the world. I don't think Greg knew that he had such an impact on the world, but from what so many people have written and said to me, Greg was a true hero. He has inspired a countless number of individuals, and I wish Greg knew how much he meant to all of us. Though a lot of us only met him only a couple times, it is still so hard for us to accpet this misfortune. Greg was so talented at what he did, and I am glad that he was gifted with such an ability to race. Greg's future looked so bright and promising. He had so many things to look forward to. I personally did not want him to go to F1, or NASCAR, but if he did, I would be right behind him, and support him all the way. He would have had so many great oppertunities ahead of him. The thing that saddens me is that he will not have the privilege of getting married and having his own kids racing around. All these things bring me to the thought that Greg Moore died doing what he loved doing, he lived for it, and always put 110% into his job. This is the hardest thing that I have ever had to go through. Greg was my idol, my role model and he will always be number one in my heart. It is not going to be the same not seeing his smile or hearing his laugh at the Molson Indy. I hope that he is in a place with no fear or pain and I hope that I see him when my time is done. He will be missed very much. I think that this experience has made everyone realize that you have to live life to the fullest, enjoy it while it is still here, and follow your dreams because you never know how short life really can be. It is sad that an experience like this has to happen so that we understand that life can end so suddenly.
Written by: Angela Sitt
It is true that we take two steps forward in our journey, we may take one or more steps backward. But when one has faith that the spring thaw will arrive, the winter winds seem to lose some of their punch.
Pain, illness, sadness, depression, grief, seperation, and other difficulties can sometimes feel so overpowering and all encompassing that they seem to take on a life of their own. At times you may feel as if you're never going to get through a tough time or get a painful loss. One crisis is sometimes all it takes to make you feel that time has stood still and things will never again be the same.
That's when you need to take a look outside your window and remember that the trees, now bare, will soon bud. The ground, now frozen and snow-covered, will soon thaw. The bulbs you planted last fall, now dormant, will soon break through the ground and blossom. The robins will return from their winter vacation, along with the summer songbirds.
Tonight, if you have faith that the spring renewal will arrive and the winter winds will soon die out, then you can also have faith that you'll get through this time of crisis. One day it may feel as if the dark clouds have been lifted; another day they may return. But nothing ever lasts forever. Nothing continues with the same intensity with which it began. Just as there are endings, so too are there beginings. You need to believe that you can move on from one place to the next--with patience, time, and trust.
One moment I may smile, the next moment tears may fall. Tonight I'll trust that both are the process of recognizing an ending and getting ready for a new begining.
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