Motor racing has always been a potentially lethal sport. Many participants have been seriously injured, but few have made such successful returns to racing as Alex Zanardi, Mick Doohan and Rudolf Caracciola.Alex Zanardi's Lausitzring CrashAfter a disappointing stint in Formula 1 with Lotus Alex Zanardi switched to the American CART series, taking the title in 1997 and 1998 for Chip Ganassi. He returned to Formula 1 in 1999, but failed to impress in an uncompetitive Wiliams. Returning to America Zanardi once again joined the CART series.
2001 was a frustrating season for Zanardi but, at a European round of the series in Germany, he finally looked set to win again. Zanardi pitted late in the race at the Lausitzring, and looked like scoring a certain victory. Exiting the pits it all went horribly wrong. Zanardis car spun and came to rest at right angles to approaching cars on the racing line. Alex Tagliani stood no chance of avoiding Zanardi and there followed a sickening impact which split the latters car in two.
Zanardi was gravely injured, having lost both legs above the knee in the impact. Prompt intervention by the renowned CART safety team meant that, against all odds, he survived. After a long period of recuperation and the fitting of prosthetics Zanardi made a return to the cockpit at the Lausitzring in 2003, where he completed 13 laps, the number that remained in the fateful race two years previously. Zanardi then raced successfully for BMW in touring cars, before finally retiring from the sport in 2009.
Mick Doohans 1992 Assen Crash
Mick Doohan was en route to claiming his maiden 500cc World Championship in 1992 when the popular Australian suffered a devastating crash during practice for the Dutch TT at Assen. Doohans right leg was severely broken and, despite pioneering medical techniques, it would never properly heal.
After missing several races Doohan returned while still far from being fully fit. He missed out on the 1992 title by four points. In the years which followed Doohan made amends, taking four consecutive titles between 1994 and 1997.
Rudolf Caracciolas 1933 Monaco Accident
Rudolf Caracciola is mostly associated with Mercedes-Benz, but it was while driving an Alfa Romeothat the German suffered the worst accident of his career in practice for the 1933 Monaco Grand Prix. Serious leg injuries meant he didnt return to competitive action until the following years Italian Grand Prix at Monza after six months in a plaster cast.
In a display of sheer determination Caracciola duelled with Hans Stucks Auto Union for the lead of the race, but the excruciating pain from his injuries eventually became too much. He handed the car over to Luigi Fagioli, who brought it home safely and shared in the victory spoils. Caracciola went on to become one of the most celebrated drivers of the pre-war period, taking the European Drivers Championship in 1935, 1937 and 1938.
http://suite101.com/great-motor-racing-comebacks-a260303