Track safety(lack) + faster bikes + inexpirence = bad news

Not sure if this is a normal year but maybe since one was a close friend I took a notice of it, in anycase seems like a dark year for some of our follow racers. If I missd any (hope not) please add them so we can take a moment and give one last thought and memory for them.

God speed to all.


Sep 17, 2006 - Jesus Amezcua, 39, of La Puente, California, died from injuries sustained in a crash during Sunday’s WSMC Roadracing World 250/50 at Willow Springs International Raceway, in Rosamond, California.

Aug 14, 2006 - Allen Rice, 63, of San Bruno, California died during a Club Desmo trackday on Friday, August 11, practicing for the sixth round of AFM racing at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California.

Rider Dies After Crash At Barber Trackday
Jul 27, 2006
Shelly Gruber of Lithonia, Georgia

Nov 07, 2005- Cavan Tubbs, 27, a WERA-licensed racer from Jacksonville, Florida, died today as a result of injuries he sustained after riding off track and hitting a tree during a track day November 6 at JenningsGP in Jennings, Florida.


Jul 04, 2006 - Track Day Crash At La Junta Raceway Aaron Aikin, 25, of Thorton, Colorado

Jul 13, 2006 - Gene Bazyl Dies From Injuries After Crash At La Junta Raceway


September 26 - First-year Novice racer Justin Baccino (#469) died Sunday, September 26 from injuries sustained during a WERA Sportsman series race at Summit Point Raceway in Summit Point, West Virginia.

Jul 02, 2006 - The day was marred by the announcement that longtime WERA racer Chris Stevenson, 32, from Atlanta, Georgia, passed away en route to the hospital following a crash in 600cc Superstock.

WERA racer James R. Elias died on Thursday, August 31, 2006

 

Godspeed... Friends.

 

Other than poor Cavan, how many of the racers cited died b/c of tracksafety or inexperience or faster bikes? Do you know or are you just guessing?

PS - I'm not saying that Cavan certainly died from a track safety issue, but there is evidence that points in that direction.

And RIP to all of the riders mentioned.

 

considering that today's 600's are turning faster lap times than gp bikes just 10 years or so ago, I would say the bikes are alot faster, I know Gene and Aaron's crash at La junta was a combination of both track and expirence(lack on arron part). I'm not pointing any fingers just I have not seen this many fallen riders in one season since I started racing in 1984....

We had another close call just a few races ago when a bike cleared the pit wall and went through the crowd, meraculiouly(sp) missing everyone.

The tracks for the most part have not been changed for safety in 20-30 years for most of the tracks we ride on, and I've seen many issues in recent news about track safety, Mid-ohio this last weekend, loundon seems to be in the news alot when safety is mentioned, Infinion with Allen Rice and Vincent H, along with Pridmore's close call early this year.

Bike speeds are outgrowing the tracks and new riders are riding bike off the showroom floor that are running speeds that would have put them on pole at AMA races 5-10 years ago.

I know we all know the risks out there, but it sems that the past few years people have kinda put a back burner to safety, when ever a issue comes up most of us, think to ourself it won't happen to me and during rider meeting we vote to ride instead of taking a step back and correrting problem to help prevent these tragic crashes.

sorry for the rant it just been something bothering me for the last few months.

 

Completely understandable. The tracks must keep up with the times, however, w/o action (or voluntary inaction) on the part of the participants, the tracks won't know or feel any inclination to change. Finally, now, this is changing.

 

I think that tracks are making improvements but at a slower rate than the technology of motorcicles.

 

Well Jim Elias wrecked on the street, not the track, God Speed Jim!

 

One thing to keep in mind is as the popularity of roadracing/trackdays increase, unfortunately so will the # accidents.

 

This one seems weird to me. Wasn't the 26th a Tuesday?

 

I think this was a couple years ago.

 

Racing motorcycles is dangerous, for most this very fact greatly adds to it's appeal. Riding a motorcycle on the street is 10 times as dangerous as riding/racing on the track will ever be. Ride within your limits and comfort zone, especially at tracks where you feel less comfortable.

If you could ride above your limits without any consequence this would be no more exciting than shuffle board.

RIP all fallen riders

 

I don't remember this one - was that this year? As in, like last week?

 

2004

 

+1

 

First and foremonst, my prayers for all of the fallen riders and their families. One death is too many. May they rest in peace.

This may be considered sacriledge here on a racing board and I know track safety is an important component. However, has anyone considered taking steps to slowing the bikes a bit? Chicanes, limited modifications, graduated licenses?

Of the nine riders listed, one was two years ago and one was a street incident. Of the seven remaining, three were at track days. How many of the riders killed in racing accidents were the result of getting hit by or tangled up with another rider?

 

And, to continue along that line, as a percentage of participants in racing and track days, how do the number of deaths compare to 10, 15 or 20 years ago?

In the past 30-odd years, I've watched each evolution of engine and chassis engineering overwhelm current tire technology. When Production 600's are making more horsepower now than all out Superbikes were 15 years ago, has traction (tires, suspension, chassis design) kept up with power increases?

More importantly, has rider training kept up with increased capabilities of the machines?

 

I"m still amazed that the rule got changed to allow novices to race open (liter) bikes rather than restricting them to 600s. It used to be 750s, but as the bikes got better, I would have thought it would have gone down, NOT up.

 

All? Like Nelson?