Highside at nelson,Saturday

I highsided in turn12 at nelson ledges on Saturday and I would like to thank the individuals who helped me off the track.....I don't remember anything before the ambulance so I don't know what I was saying or what was going on but I did here that some people were fined for pulling me off the track....Sorry for any problems that it caused you but please be sure that you have my deepest thanks. One of the guys pushed my bike back to the pits and helped my friend with me load the trailer at warp speed so he could follow the ambulance. It was his first time coming to the races so he and I are both very grateful for your help. There is also a great guy named Alan Sprocket who is a member of the local police at Nelson Ledges who I met briefly in the pits before my crash and then saw the next time at the hospital. Just came by to see how I was and then returned in unform to escort us to the pharmacy for some much needed pain killers. I don't know how to thank you enough Alan. You went out of your way to help out a stranger witch means that you are a perfect example of what the racing community needs to be filled with. And it seems as though it is, considering two other complete starngers risked there own well being,money,and racing liscences to drag me out of the danger zone while I laid incoherent on the track.....As for me, a broken collarbone,some serouis bruising, and a wadded up bike means I'm out of the saddle probably till VIR the end of July. But I do hope to meet the guys who pulled me off and have some fun with my new fellow 125 pilot, Alan Sprocket. Anyone who saw the crash please respond and give me your input as I am trying to figure out what happened... I think I messed up my downshift count and dumped the clucth into 1st instead of 2nd. Whoever picked up the bike may remember what gear it was in so please reply if you read this. Once agian thanks to all who were involved including the ambulance guys who were also very considerate and helpful. So for now it's time to heal and sit back knowing that the guys and gals I race with are the greatest people on this planet we call home.
A very grateful 125 guy, Matthew Hughes

 

I love it when people post while on meds...

Glad you're gonna be ok dude, hope to see ya in a couple of months.

 

matthew...were you at summit a few weekends ago? brand new 125???

 

Matt,
The ARNCHU Racing boyz wondered where you took off to. We hope to see you soon. I promise to bring a tube repair kit for your minibike! Heal fast and we'll see you at VIR.
Nathan Dressman #926
Jeff Neuman #462

 

Yes LAG that was me at Summit... I won the 125's. R U that lady with the long brown hair(and legs too hehe) that came by the pits to chech it out? Hope to see you soon. I should be at VIR in July.

 

Yo Nate, Thanks for the concern and don't be silly about a patch kit, all is fair in the use of pit bikes. hope you guys had a good weekend and I'll see you real soon.........

 

YES, that was me!!! You wrecked my bike??? How could you???

Glad to hear that you're ok. Take care of yourself and heal quickly...

I may be getting a 125 in the next couple of weeks, so maybe you can show me how to run one of those darn things.

BTW, thanks for the compliment. Much appreciated.

Laura (LAG)

 

Hey Laura, How could I? Easy...drop 1st instead of 2nd and flick myself like a booger onto the pavement. I'd be glad to do some riding with you but I don't think you want to take any "highsiding" lessons from me. Even though I'm preety good at it. HaHaHa I can't wait to get back in saddle but I'm trying to put it out of my head...Feeling my collarbone move and click against itself helps me to remember it's going to be awhile(ouch)but hopefully it won't be too long.

 

OK, so I'll make sure not to do that...but I watched all of your races at summit and you did really well. Heal quick and get your butt back in that saddle! And enjoy the pain meds until then...oops, did I say that out loud???

 

Matthew,

I'm glad that you are o.k. I went to look for you after the incident and you had already been transported to the hospital. I met you on Saturday and we were discussing gearing for the 125. I did not see you go down, but I did see you on the side of the track. Although, I'm sure the people who helped you meant no harm, in light of recent injuries, I think it is really important to let the medical personnel attend to any injured rider. Again, I'm glad to hear you are o.k.

LAG: You would love a 125. They are a blast. I wouldn't race anything else. Well, at least not on a regular basis

Mary

 

Thanks for the info, Mary. Right now I race an aprilia RS250, but I have a feeling because of my "petite" build, that I'd absolutely love a 125...so I'm thinking about it. Any bike that I can sit on and put both of my feet flat on the ground is pretty darn exciting to me!!!!

 

Yeah, I knew you raced the Aprilia and that is the only other bike I've seriously considered racing. I raced an Aprilia 250 once and thought it was a lot of fun, but the 125 is faster. Especially with the weight advantage that you and I have.

Mary

 

I'm going to go ahead and point out the obvious.

Those guys that pulled you off of the track may have done a noble thing, but the only people qualified to help a downed rider are the medical personnel at the track. What if you had had a broken neck or back? Luckily you were OK and no harm done, but looking out for the worst case scenario what those guys did should not be condoned.

Heal fast and I can't wait to see you out again,

j

 

I was sitting in turn 13, but I missed your crash.
I don't think that it was because you were in the wrong gear - I also race a two stroke, and you have very little engine braking. All you would have done is over rev the motor.
What jetting were you using? You may have seized it. That is common when you get off the gas, and that would lock up the tire and throw you down before you could react.

BTW – the guys who pulled you off the track were IDIOTS!
You were not in any danger – you were well out of harms way, plus when they lifted you up you looked like a rag doll, your head looked like it was attached by a rubber band.
They pulled you 10 feet away and then dropped you.
I don’t care what their intentions, they have to have some common sense.

 

Ok, you're talking me into it...yikes!

 

I hear there is a sweet little TZ125 for sale in your neck of the woods...

 

Mattew,

I am glad you are going to be fine! Sorry about the injuries you do have though and hope you have speedy recovery.

I was watching that practice session from the top of the mound and saw the accident. I did not see what caused it to occur (the highside) but was watching racers go through turn 12 and first heard that horrifying metal scraping asphalt sound, then saw you and your bike slide across the track and into the grass, both of you flipping a couple of time. You have no idea how happy we all were up there on the mound when we saw you at last try to lift your head. He's moving!

But then I could not believe it when I saw a couple of people trying to lift you and move you, with our feet dragging behind you and your head hanging down - as Mary said, only medical folks should move an injured person. Any neck or vertebrae injuries you may have had could have been worsened. Thank goodness all was OK in those areas.

I wish you a fast recovery and hope you can get your bike back in racing condition.

Jill

-dedicated wife, pit girl, and racing fan, for #460NV Randy

 

Like I said I don't remember anything so it's nice to hear from someone who saw something..... It's kinda scary to hear that they picked me up instead of sliding me and DROPPED ME!I guess they were taken back by the moment.....I never said that the people who picked me up were right for not waiting for the medics, I just wanted to thank them for trying to help. I don't want anyone to be critical of anyone else because of something I said.....And I was jetted a little rich being it was so hot out so there was no sieze....I was coming into 12 in 2nd but fast and I don't think I let the clutch out until I was leaned over. So the little engine braking that is there if I was in 1st combined w/the fact that I let the clutch out leaned over makes me think it's possible. But like I said, I don't remember much.....I vaugly remember holding 5th on the back straight the lap before when I had been grabbing 6th for a scoend or two in practice... This would have changed my downshift count into 12 leaving me in 1st....Regardless of how it was my own fault for riding at all... I wasn't enjoying myself(bumpy) and I didn't spend enough time on the track...Ahh we live and learn.......

 

Killerbee,

125's have very little engine braking, so I don't think that would be it. I also up and downshift mid-turn all the time, so that really wouldn't have unsettled the bike that much. However, if you dumped it into first, let off the gas and then got back on real quick, that could make the rear tire spin and slide out on you.

Also, don't bother to use the clutch for anything but starts. You can up and downshift without using the clutch.

I was running a 170 jet during the solo 20 (no airbox). What jet were you running? You don't necessarily have to seize due to being lean. You could have an air leak or something to that effect.

Mary

Wow! Jill is even more of a lurker than I am. How ya doin' Jill?

 

High sides suck, but glad your ok, if your looking for bodywork or other stuff let me know. I have some extras!

CHuck D