Motorcycle Accident at VIR-One killed - Page 2

Clay · 08-10-2010, 11:18 AM

I know that 12yo kid... Ian. I know him and his father as Ian raced with Caleb all of last year. I believe this would be Ian's 3rd year racing. He's no slouch. He was running at the front of the time sheets in the F2 class on what, I assume, is a 125. He got a brand spankin' new 125 last year. I watched him progress from a kid that I was scared to watch, to a kid that was spanking most of his competition. I pray for him as much as I do the family of the man lost. This could damage him for life. I've been told it was no ones fault so I'll go with that. Racing is racing and it's not without dangers.

And speeds at VIR in the LW class reach around the 130mph mark... not 60 to 80. I also wonder about that track map...I've never seen so many turns added that aren't really turns. 14 has always been at the bottom of the hill for me. I wasn't there though, so don't really know where it happened.

azoomm · 08-10-2010, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa_Complex

Sounds like Middleweight Twins racing. The guy who died was on a SV650.

Or, it was a mixed class race - 12-year-olds aren't allowed on bikes that large.

My heart goes out to all those involved. I can't imagine what the kid is going through. Tye, I instantly thought of Brandon and what he would do in this situation. Ugh, suck.

All the horrible scenarios aside, I completely support kids racing.

Papa_Complex · 08-10-2010, 11:30 AM

That's possible. Our regional series permitted 650 twins in the 250GP class, for a couple of years, which turned out to be dangerous and a HUGE mistake.

azoomm · 08-10-2010, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa_Complex

That's possible. Our regional series permitted 650 twins in the 250GP class, for a couple of years, which turned out to be dangerous and a HUGE mistake.

It happens a lot. So, rather than question the decision making and abilities of the 12-year-old - how about question why there are SV650's and 125's in the same race??

shmike · 08-10-2010, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azoomm

It happens a lot. So, rather than question the decision making and abilities of the 12-year-old - how about question why there are SV650's and 125's in the same race??

Because they turn about the same lap times.

Also because there are usually relatively few of each.

azoomm · 08-10-2010, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shmike

Because they turn about the same lap times.

Also because there are usually relatively few of each.

few sv650's?

z06boy · 08-10-2010, 11:41 AM

Tough situation. Sucks for the guy that died and his family/friends. Sucks for the 12 y.o. now having to go through life knowing what he did.

shmike · 08-10-2010, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azoomm

few sv650's?

Yes.

And fewer 2-smokes.

I know some organizations have more LWT than others but the grid for a typical LW race is far smaller than a MW or HW grid.

When's the last time you saw a LW grid 60 bikes deep?

Mudpuppy · 08-10-2010, 11:49 AM

Wow that sucks.. RIP Gette

Another thing not mentioned is the specifics of "he got hit as he was trying to get up".. Not sure what that exactly means - did he stand up and attempt to get off the track the wrong way, i.e. into the race line? i have seen tons of people do that.. they crash and then all common sense, reasoning and anything discussed at the rider's meeting go out the window.. there is a reason they tell you what to do in the event of the crash and to follow the corner worker's instructions, etc.

Clay · 08-10-2010, 11:51 AM

A 125 with a fast kid will turn faster lap times than the fastest SVs. I watched my son out pull many SVs last year. They're fine in the same class. How about people stop looking for blame and simply see it as it is... a racing incident.

And btw, this was a 3-rider incident. Not 2.

08-10-2010, 11:30 AM	#13
Papa_Complex Nomadic Tribesman Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Brampton, Canada Moto: '09 ER-6n Posts: 11,150	That's possible. Our regional series permitted 650 twins in the 250GP class, for a couple of years, which turned out to be dangerous and a HUGE mistake. __________________ "Everything's better with pirates." - Lodge, "Dorkness Rising" http://www.morallyambiguous.net/

08-10-2010, 11:49 AM	#19
Mudpuppy South of Heaven Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Michigan Moto: 2006 Yamaha R1 50th Anniversary Edition Posts: 1,491	Wow that sucks.. RIP Gette Another thing not mentioned is the specifics of "he got hit as he was trying to get up".. Not sure what that exactly means - did he stand up and attempt to get off the track the wrong way, i.e. into the race line? i have seen tons of people do that.. they crash and then all common sense, reasoning and anything discussed at the rider's meeting go out the window.. there is a reason they tell you what to do in the event of the crash and to follow the corner worker's instructions, etc. __________________ Mudpuppy Redline Superbike http://www.redlinesuperbike.com/ Learn about photography: ATP Members

08-10-2010, 11:18 AM	#11
Clay I know nothing... Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 134	I know that 12yo kid... Ian. I know him and his father as Ian raced with Caleb all of last year. I believe this would be Ian's 3rd year racing. He's no slouch. He was running at the front of the time sheets in the F2 class on what, I assume, is a 125. He got a brand spankin' new 125 last year. I watched him progress from a kid that I was scared to watch, to a kid that was spanking most of his competition. I pray for him as much as I do the family of the man lost. This could damage him for life. I've been told it was no ones fault so I'll go with that. Racing is racing and it's not without dangers. And speeds at VIR in the LW class reach around the 130mph mark... not 60 to 80. I also wonder about that track map...I've never seen so many turns added that aren't really turns. 14 has always been at the bottom of the hill for me. I wasn't there though, so don't really know where it happened.

08-10-2010, 11:41 AM	#17
z06boy Letzroll Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lake Norman area, NC Moto: 07 Red R1 & 07 Blue R6 Posts: 5,265	Tough situation. Sucks for the guy that died and his family/friends. Sucks for the 12 y.o. now having to go through life knowing what he did.

08-10-2010, 11:51 AM	#20
Clay I know nothing... Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 134	A 125 with a fast kid will turn faster lap times than the fastest SVs. I watched my son out pull many SVs last year. They're fine in the same class. How about people stop looking for blame and simply see it as it is... a racing incident. And btw, this was a 3-rider incident. Not 2.