from Jason DiSalvo concerning Daytona crash

Jason asked me to post tis for everyone:

I would like to formally apologize to Rick Moreau, Rick was involved in
the turn 6 incident during AMA 250 GP race at Daytona last weekend with
me. The unfortunate incident that took place during the race was poor
judgement on my part. Also I have to come to the realization that I’m
not racing in Europe anymore and there will be riders lapping slower
than the front runners, like I was at one time. I haven’t experienced
circumstances from the overtaking rider’s point of view for the last two
years racing over in Europe because of the 107% qualifying maxima, and
the use of blue flags to warn a slower rider that he’s being approached
quickly by someone faster. I was however, shown the blue flag during
World Championship events that I’ve participated in over the past three
years, and the results of such a system seemed mutually beneficial to
everyone.
On a final note I would like to encourage as many people as possible to
solicit the AMA for usage of the blue flag system in all classes. I
feel instating blue flag regulations would make for better racing, and
more importantly, make racing much more safe for everyone.
My written apology stands as written above, and upon my next meeting
with Rick Moreau I will extend another apology in person, because there
is no excuse for the incident that took place.

#40 Jason DiSalvo
Team America GP Racing


Here are my thoughts on this:

There has been a lot said in the days following the incident at Daytona
involving Jason and rider Rick Moreau. The incident, if you are not
familiar, involved Rick and Jason coming together just past turn 1 as
they sped off the Tri-Oval.

Daytona is a unique track and it presents many unique problems, among
them the fact that lapped riders are often overtaken at great speeds and
this is among the many factors that led to the collision.

Other factors contributing to the incident included the AMA’s not
enforcing reasonable 107 or 110% maxima from 4th place qualifiers in Pro
events, no blue flag to warn slower riders that they are about to be
overtaken and poor overall communication between flag stations across
the racecourse.

While Jason is largely to blame for the incident, he should not
responsible for the lack of adherence to commonly applied safety
standards in use throughout the rest of the world and in road racing. I
encourage those who might comment to consider this as well before
passing judgement on Jason's actions.

Prior to the collision he likley did not see Rick's altered line, and
likley did not until his line took him in front of Chuck Sorensen . It
seemed to me that Rick had set up for the corner very wide and the
expectation would have been that he would have maintained this wide
line.

Jason has spent many years on the racetrack and has competed for and
won National Championships, competed at the World Grand Prix level and
has countless hundreds, if not thousands of hours of experience. He is
not an amateur, and like many other professional riders he will
occasionally make mistakes. But mistakes are a part of racing and what
we do is rife with risk and danger and people should recognize this is
just one of many risks we face when we take to the racetrack.

The incident was unfortunate and I am sure Jason is sorry that it
happened, but the level of amateur commentary this has received and the
clear lack of understanding displayed in many of the comments I have
read only helps to add confusion to an already difficult situation for
both Rick and Jason.

I only wish that others would have considered the situation more
completely before passing judgement on Jason and categorizing him as a
rekless amateur, which he is not. I would be happy to share the
racetrack with him any time.

Jonathan
USGPRU, WERA, CCS #25
------------------------

Now, for those of us that saw the race.....tell me what you think.



------------------
Eric
EK Motorsports
Ft Worth, TX
# 377

 

I saw the race. Rick Moreau held his line. Outside to inside. How often do you stay on the outside through a corner? Rick Could not have seen Jason coming. If you ask me, there is no one to blame... people make mistakes and unfortunately that simple mistake took both riders out. I think the negative reaction Jason is receiving isn't so much from causing the crash.... but from throwing the temper tantrum on live TV.

 

Ditto. I think if he had instead run over to see if the guy to which he just gave an RS250 enema was ok, people might be reacting differently.

- Roach

 

I spoke to Ian E , Jasons crew chief. He said Jason told them it was a genuine case of him not seeing the guy. I think any reaction after a high speed crash like that cant be judged too harshly, there is a chance he wasnt thinking straight

 

Turn 1 ??????
What race were you watching ?
Try T6 just before you leave the infield for the banking !