MotoAmerica | 2024 | Road Atlanta | April 19-21

What I heard around the paddock, even from some Warhorse and M4 team members, was that Baz let off after the checker quicker than the other rider around him, they cruised by Baz surprising Ritchie who couldn't see because he was behind. What people are unsure about is why Ritchie was still at full gas. Most are speculating that he might have missed the checker flag.
I never got an accusatory vibe from anyone though. Feels like it was just a perfect storm of unfortunate events.

 

Yeah, I did a little research and it looks like it has always been the policy because of the county ordinance. I guess they just haven't always enforced it.
At least now I know to either not take anything or hide it since it seems like they are checking coolers when they see them.

 

Gawd, believe me PLEASE that I’ve tried!!! Straight shaming them has gotten me nowhere!!

 

The results show that Richie crossed the line about a half second behind Baz. So if Baz slowed down more than Richie was expecting, he had very little time to adjust and avoid. Human reaction time is around 200ms so by the time he processed the slow down, he had 300ms or so to react. That’s why for red flags or after the finish line, you need to be careful before you roll off or chop the throttle and why when you are following someone, always be thinking about how you pass them if they miss a shift or have an issue. Or maybe that’s just me…

 

Consistent to what some folks are also saying. Richie didn't see the white because was concentrating on chasing JD and as such, RE thought the checkers was the white and is why he ( RE ) kept WFO into Baz who had just rolled off throttle after the checkers.

 

Yikes. That IS a perfect storm. I noticed he released an injury update on Instagram, I'll have to go check it out. Hope he's back to racing soon.

-T

 

One thing I still vividly remember from my race school was my instructor telling me to race through turn 1 at the checkered so something like this doesn't happen.

Don't know if that would've mattered in this case...

 

you guys have to consider the target …. Make a quick change muffler attachment out of some old FZR 400 parts, like their original racebike, painted black of course slap a 99 and AOD logo on it and he’ll love it have to convince him it’s for higher performance with back pressure instead of a sound reducer

are they still running an air compressor too instead of electric impacts or even compressed nitrogen for their old pneumatics?

had lots of fun running against Sam and Melissa’s teams over the years way back 20-25 years ago… lots of great riders and crew around

 

Genset sounds like runaway Detroit diesel and the air compressor surpasses the genset..

and yes they still win.. A lot

 

Thanks for the horrifying reminder of the one Detroit 671 I had runaway on me. Fortunately it had the air flapper to shut it down. But damn that was a scary few minutes