The first thing we spotted was some bodywork. Then we got to the complete back end, gearbox and rear wheels lying in the middle of the track. Finally we arrived at the tub, the chassis. It lay on its side where rain had washed away the banking to form a ditch. One wheel was still attached. It was like a light aircraft crash, wreckage everywhere, and there, standing among it all, was Mario, looking in puzzlement at his watch. ‘Are you okay?’ we said breathlessly. He tapped at his watch. ‘Goddamned watch has stopped,’ he said. That was Mario. A brilliant driver and a real tough cookie.
