As sporting heroes go, you don't gt much bolder than ex-Champ car ace Alex Zanardi. When he lost both legs in a terrible accident in 2001, Zanardi was determined to compete again. Two years later, at his first comeback race, a European Touring Car Championship round at Monza, he finished just 15 seconds behind the winner.

As sporting heroes go, you don't get much bolder than ex-Champ car ace Alex Zanardi. When he lost both legs in a terrible accident in 2001, Zanardi was determined to compete again. Two years later, at his first comeback race, a European Touring Car Championship round at Monza, he finished just 15 seconds behind the winner. Here is his inspirational story, written by Zanardi with Gianluca Gasparini - it has received remarkable reviews and become a best-seller.

The crash at the Lausitzring in Germany when Zanardi's Champ car was T-boned at 200mph
Showing barely believable determination in his battle to recover
The inspirational 2003 Touring Car debut in a BMW320i with hand-controlled throttle and clutch - and brakes using the prosthetic leg
Past glories as a double CART champion in 1997 and 1998, and earlier F1 seasons with Lotus and Williams
The passion that makes this cheerful racer still say 'I love my work!'
Boyhood as an adventurous rascal and the climb up the junior formulae.