The Union Jack-draped coffin of Justin Wilson was carried into St James the Great Church in Paulerspury, England, for a service Sept. 10 attended by hundreds of family, friends and members of the international racing community, including reigning Verizon IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon, Dario Franchitti and Sir Jackie Stewart.
Wilson succumbed Aug. 24 to a head injury sustained in a Verizon IndyCar Series race a day earlier. He was 37.
A poem by Wilson's wife, Julia, entitled "Today I washed you away" was read aloud during the service in which she wrote "it's not fair you had such a short life."
Formula One driver Jonathan Palmer delivered the eulogy, telling mourners that “Justin died doing something he loved. He wasn't in denial about the risks."
Following the service, a wake was held at the nearby Silverstone circuit in Northhampton. Wilson had moved to Northampton from his boyhood home in Sheffield to further his motorsports career. A memorial service in Indianapolis will be held later this month.
Numerous fund-raising initiatives for the Wilson family are ongoing, and the Justin Wilson Memorial Auction begins Sept. 14 on eBay with helmets worn by Verizon IndyCar Series drivers in the Aug. 30 race at Sonoma Raceway being auctioned first. Sign up for updates at www.wilsonchildrensfund.com.
Tribute T-shirts and stickers with the logo (right) are available for purchase online HERE.
Those wishing to contribute to the fund established electronically can do so HERE or via mail to:
Wilson Children’s Fund
c/o Forum Credit Union
PO Box 50738
Indianapolis, IN 46250-0738