Racer Justin Wilson dies after crash

Justin Wilson was declared dead on Monday evening in the US, a day after a piece of debris from a crashed car in front struck his helmet, causing him to crash in turn. The English driver's friends and loved ones had flown to his bedside at a hospital in Allentown, Pennsylvania, close to the Pocono Speedway.

"Can't even begin to describe the loss I feel right now. He was my Brother, my best friend, my role model and mentor," Wilson's brother Stefan, a fellow racer in the IndyCar series, said on Twitter. "He never stopped giving and caring for others. Even at this time. He had pre-chosen to donate his organs to help others in need."

Wilson had driven in the IndyCar series since 2008, he was competing with the Andretti Autosport team as part of a seven-race deal covering part of the current season.

He spent a season in Formula 1 in 2003, first with Minardi and then with Jaguar, scoring a world championship point at the US Grand Prix at Indianapolis. He then moved to the US, finishing as runner-up in 2006 and 2007 in the now-defunct Champ Car series, before beginning his 174-race IndyCar career.

"This is a monumentally sad day for IndyCar and the motorsports community as a whole," said Mark Miles, chief executive of the parent company running the series. "Justin's elite ability to drive a race car was matched by his unwavering kindness, character and humility - which is what made him one of the most respected members of the paddock."

The last IndyCar driver to die from an on-track accident was fellow Brit and former Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon, killed in a multi-car collision in the 2011 season finale in Las Vegas. Wheldon's sister Holly joined the slew of tributes for the 37-year-old born in Sheffield in the north east of England.

Standing at around 1.93 meters (6 feet, 4 inches), Wilson was the tallest man to date to have raced in F1 - smaller and lighter drivers usually fare better in the cramped confines of open-wheel race cars. His 2003 Minardi was specially modified, after the team had to pass on his services in the 2002 season because their cockpit was too small for him.

Wilson was also a dyslexic and had been a strong supporter of foundations related to the disorder. In lieu of flowers, his family asked in a statement that well-wishers donate to the Wilson's Children's Fund. The 37-year-old was married with two daughters.

msh/mg (AFP, AP, Reuters)