How that ideal foreign trackday can go horribly wrong

[ensure]

I had a work trip to Melbourne recently so i arranged it so i could fit in a trackday at Phillip Island the day before. I paid my money and hired one of their bikes and all the gear and the anticipation began.
The big day arrived and it was ideal conditions, sunny with a dry track. Got fitted out with brand new hire leathers, gloves, helmet and out for session 1 on the GSXR600 bike. Took it easy for first session while getting to know the track and then built up the speed as the sessions progressed. Three quarters of the way through session 4 it all went wrong. Heading into Lukey Heights about 130kph and the front wheel loses traction resulting in a low side slide across track, grass and into gravel pit.
The end result was a written off bike, 1 broken shoulder blade, 2 broken ribs, an ambulance ride to hospital and 2 nights in hospital.
The good news is that it is only a few broken bones, i had 2 really peaceful nights in hospital and i got out of the work i was supposed to be attending.
The bad news has to be measured in dollars and adds up awfully fast.
Trackday Fees and Hire costs $700
Written off hire bike and gear $6300
Rearranged flight/hotels $1000
Ambulance Ride to Hospital $5000

Total $13000

That would have paid for 65 trackdays at Hampton Downs on my own bike so now the GSXR750 has to go to pay for all of this. It won't bankrupt me but it is painful.

My advice to anyone contemplating this is beware that shit happens and that you should not get into an ambulance under any circumstances. If you get injured hire a limosuine or even a helicopter to get you to hospital as the Victorian Ambulance service is run by the Mafia and they will bleed you dry.
And Travel Insurance won't pay any of your medical costs as they consider it Motor Racing which is excluded from their cover.

[rachprice]

Ohh broken scapula, I know how that feels....you poor thing!

[Dogboy900]

Holy Crap!

That ambulance ride was a bit of a killer wasn't it?

Hope you at least had a great time before the crash. Get well soon!

[nutjob]

Geez man that really sucks :shit: Did they not offer you insurance for the bike and the gear at the track?

[onearmedbandit]

Wow that is a heavy price to pay. Did no one make you aware of the costs involved or did you just wing it anyway?

[Mental Trousers]

Geez man that really sucks :shit: Did they not offer you insurance for the bike and the gear at the track?

The excess is usually around $4000 for the bike and I'm guessing he didn't insure the gear.

[Usarka]

$5k for an ambulance ride??????? :eek5:

[nutjob]

The excess is usually around $4000 for the bike and I'm guessing he didn't insure the gear.

4K? Bloody hell! :gob: I think the insurance excess for the California Superbike school at Hampton Downs is $1000 for the bike and $500 for the gear?

[Mental Trousers]

4K? Bloody hell! :gob: I think the insurance excess for the California Superbike school at Hampton Downs is $1000 for the bike and $500 for the gear?

Isn't that only if you pay for the upgraded insurance?

[nutjob]

Isn't that only if you pay for the upgraded insurance?

I just had a quick look, yeah I think the excess is on top of the $375 you pay for insurance, if you have no insurance and stack the bike it will cost you $4500!!!

[ensure]

The excess on the bike is maximum of $4500 and $500 for the gear (thats Aussie dollars) All my numbers are equivalenrt $NZD. I was aware of the excess and thats the risk you take but there was no warning or notice of the ambulance cost until the bill arrived in the mail.

[nutjob]

That is crazy! It must have been one hell of an ambulance man!

[danchop]

dont pay the ambo bill,tell them take it off the money our guys spent looking for that aussie kayaker

[grusomhat]

:O

I don't know what to say. It sounds a bit like the medical horror stories you here about people visiting America without insurance.

Nice nickname though :)

EDIT: A good post on Ambo fees in Auz http://www.bobinoz.com/blog/3398/ambulance-fees-in-australia-state-to-state/

[Oakie]

$5k for an ambulance ride??????? :eek5:

Must have been the circumstances. We had one of our guys at work requiring an ambulance ride in Sydney a couple of months ago and it only cost $700.

[onearmedbandit]

dont pay the ambo bill,tell them take it off the money our guys spent looking for that aussie kayaker

Love it!


Must have been the circumstances. We had one of our guys at work requiring an ambulance ride in Sydney a couple of months ago and it only cost $700.

Different state.

[marty]

So you've bought the bike and all the gear! There's a positive! Parted out engine/wheels etc might get close to covering the ambo cost

[Genie]

So you bought an ambulance while you were there? geez, that's a pretty hefty price...I hope they gave you nice drugs while you were in their care.

[pzkpfw]

The next time "Wellington free ambulance" are doing fund raising, I'm definitely chipping in again.

[Usarka]

dont pay the ambo bill,tell them take it off the money our guys spent looking for that aussie kayaker

Do that and they'll probably hand you another bill for $15,495,000!!!

Kayaker search = $500,000
Ambulance = $5,000
Maori's on the dole in aus = $16,000,000

[rustic101]

Ambulance Ride to Hospital $5000

Sweet Mother of Mary :eek5:..They must have used some fantastic drugs.:doctor:

[Cayman911]

I dont know what i'd do if the ambulance im paying $5000 for wasn't a Rolls Royce Phantom.

[onearmedbandit]

Fuck me, you got off light. I just did a quick search and found that in Victoria you can be charged up to $12,000!!!

[tri boy]

Can't really believe people are having a go at the ambo service.
They do a fine job in saving people and getting them to hospital.
4-5k may sound expensive, but in reality it is reasonable for the infrastructure.
A mild concussion/headache can turn nasty very quickly, then the few grand means squat.
They saved my hand in Townsville at a sidecar meeting, and I never thought about cost.

[dipshit]

A mild concussion/headache can turn nasty very quickly, then the few grand means squat.


I don know... I would just go with the brain damage myself...

[Mully]

Holy Sweet Baby Jesus!!

Can you insure against that? I know you say travel insurance doesn't cover it, but is there insurance available that you can take out?

[Owl]

I don know... I would just go with the brain damage myself...

How much more can you take?:lol:

[Usarka]

Can you insure against that? I know you say travel insurance doesn't cover it, but is there insurance available that you can take out?

I'd be interested to know.....

From Southern Cross:
9.Participation in the following activities: [isn't covered]


•professional sport;
•competitive sport;
•racing of any sort (other than on foot);
•motorsports
•hunting of any sort;
•downhill snow skiing or snow boarding except at a recognised commercial field;
•hang gliding or microlight flying or kitesurfing;
•ocean yachting;
•abseiling or potholing or caving or parachuting (including tandem parachuting) or bungy jumping or whitewater rafting or blackwater rafting unless it is with a licensed and approved operator;
•mountaineering or rock climbing necessitating the use of ropes or guides;
•high altitude or remote area touring except as part of a licensed organised tour;
•underwater activities involving the use of an artificial breathing apparatus unless You hold an open water diving certificate or are diving with a qualified instructor.

[cowboyz]

so whats the point in going on holiday then?

[avgas]

Not sure if its been mentioned yet. But there is a reciprocal agreement between NZ and Aus. So you should be covered by medicare while in Aus due to ACC
http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/public/migrants/visitors/ireland-nz.jsp

[Mully]

Not sure if its been mentioned yet. But there is a reciprocal agreement between NZ and Aus. So you should be covered by medicare while in Aus due to ACC

I don't think his medical care is the issue.

[avgas]

I don't think his medical care is the issue.
Have a feeling it covers ambulance as well.
As Medicare cover ambulance, and ACC cover ambulance.

[Mully]

Have a feeling it covers ambulance as well.
As Medicare cover ambulance, and ACC cover ambulance.

Well that's good news then.

Maybe not if they scrape you off a racetrack though - or surely they wouldn't have billed him.

[avgas]

Well that's good news then.
Maybe not if they scrape you off a racetrack though - or surely they wouldn't have billed him.
Actually health insurance over there is a mess - many in the health profession are unaware this agreement between NZ and Aus exists.
Even medicare were dumbstruck as to what I had to do to get medicare over there. They were trying to get me to swear as an Aus citizen before they would let me sign up for insurance:weird:

So it would not surprise me if this slipped through the cracks.

[marty]

I still reckon you own the bike and gear - you have paid for it.

[CHOPPA]

If you are doing any ride days in Oz it is recommended to join the St Johns for $50 just to be safe. This goes the same even if your a citizen of Australia you would still get the bill.

Make sure you put new tyres on your track day bike, you would prob put new tyres on your own bike. You cant expect $500 hireage to cover a new set of tyres.

You gotta ask yourself the question also, if you crashed your own road bike at that speed you would have had the same amount of damage so it would cost the same to fix

[CHOPPA]

Also your travel insurance if you got it covers things like rental car or bike excess....

It also covers ambulance and hospital charges, surely you would have got travel insurance if your intention was a ride day?

[Usarka]

Most policies exclude motor sport - and any costs directly or indirectly related.

[scracha]

Anyone else got dejavu ?

[Owl]

Also your travel insurance if you got it covers things like rental car or bike excess....

It also covers ambulance and hospital charges, surely you would have got travel insurance if your intention was a ride day?

I didn't think travel insurance covered you for any high risk activities?

[Owl]

Most policies exclude motor sport - and any costs directly or indirectly related.


Anyone else got dejavu ?

:doh:

:laugh:

[scracha]

I didn't think travel insurance covered you for any high risk activities?

Generally not. Some even exclude riding motorcycles on the road, never mind the track. I had to pay an extra $150 to ride motor-bicycles over here when I was a tourist. Most folk don't know they're not covered, such as the thousands who hire mopeds in places like Ibiza.

Someone out there will insure you for foreign track days, it's just that they'll charge you a fuck load.

[CHOPPA]

Its rider training.... Regardless they would still pay for Ambulance, hotel and transfer fees.

A track day is not racing, its no diff to getting injured at indoor karts or any other holiday activity

[CHOPPA]

Generally not. Some even exclude riding motorcycles on the road, never mind the track. I had to pay an extra $150 to ride motor-bicycles over here when I was a tourist. Most folk don't know they're not covered, such as the thousands who hire mopeds in places like Ibiza.

Someone out there will insure you for foreign track days, it's just that they'll charge you a fuck load.

If your intention is to ride a motorbike then you should check up on these things.

Whenever I race in OZ I have to get all sorts of insurance, you cant just hope for the best cause the risks are pretty high

[Muppet]

I had a work trip to Melbourne recently so i arranged it so i could fit in a trackday at Phillip Island the day before. I paid my money and hired one of their bikes and all the gear and the anticipation began.
The big day arrived and it was ideal conditions, sunny with a dry track. Got fitted out with brand new hire leathers, gloves, helmet and out for session 1 on the GSXR600 bike. Took it easy for first session while getting to know the track and then built up the speed as the sessions progressed. Three quarters of the way through session 4 it all went wrong. Heading into Lukey Heights about 130kph and the front wheel loses traction resulting in a low side slide across track, grass and into gravel pit.
The end result was a written off bike, 1 broken shoulder blade, 2 broken ribs, an ambulance ride to hospital and 2 nights in hospital.
The good news is that it is only a few broken bones, i had 2 really peaceful nights in hospital and i got out of the work i was supposed to be attending.
The bad news has to be measured in dollars and adds up awfully fast.
Trackday Fees and Hire costs $700
Written off hire bike and gear $6300
Rearranged flight/hotels $1000
Ambulance Ride to Hospital $5000

Total $13000

That would have paid for 65 trackdays at Hampton Downs on my own bike so now the GSXR750 has to go to pay for all of this. It won't bankrupt me but it is painful.

My advice to anyone contemplating this is beware that shit happens and that you should not get into an ambulance under any circumstances. If you get injured hire a limosuine or even a helicopter to get you to hospital as the Victorian Ambulance service is run by the Mafia and they will bleed you dry.
And Travel Insurance won't pay any of your medical costs as they consider it Motor Racing which is excluded from their cover.

Christ, that's a ripping good yarn!!!!

[marty]

If your intention is to ride a motorbike then you should check up on these things.

Whenever I race in OZ I have to get all sorts of insurance, you cant just hope for the best cause the risks are pretty high

like $13k high?

[CHOPPA]

like $13k high?

Well yeah! haha It could have been half that if the preparation was done.....

I dont mean to sound horrible, I do feel really sorry for ya mate! If anyone is reading this I just suggest doing some research first so if the worst happens they dont get have the same probs cause it would be a shame to miss out on riding tracks like PI and Eastern Creek in your lifetime

[BMWST?]

5000 k ambulance ride,dont forget its prolly 120 k from Philip Island to Melbourne City Centre

[breakaway]

Holy shit, do they rip you off like this if you are an australian citizen as well?

[Genestho]

Actually health insurance over there is a mess - many in the health profession are unaware this agreement between NZ and Aus exists.
Even medicare were dumbstruck as to what I had to do to get medicare over there. They were trying to get me to swear as an Aus citizen before they would let me sign up for insurance:weird:

So it would not surprise me if this slipped through the cracks.
It is a reciprocal agreement, but I thought you had to be living there for at least a year before you're elgible to receive medicare, much like the dole scheme - as a resident (or a citizen) - not as a visitor?

[CHOPPA]

Holy shit, do they rip you off like this if you are an australian citizen as well?

Sure do, if you join the St Johns for $50 per year then its free. Its a great way to fund the ambo service


It is a reciprocal agreement, but I thought you had to be living there for at least a year before you're elgible to receive medicare, much like the dole scheme - as a resident (or a citizen) - not as a visitor?

I had a medicare card within a week of being in Melbourne

[Genestho]

Sure do, if you join the St Johns for $50 per year then its free. Its a great way to fund the ambo service

Absolutely!!:niceone:
I had a medicare card within a week of being in Melbourne
Ahhh True? Must've moved the goalposts :niceone:

[Marknz]

When I was racing over there between 2001 & 2003 with the PCRA & BRA, it was compulsory to pay a $20-30 annual 'ambulance cover' fee through one of the medical insurers. I'm guessing you could get that cover as a visitor.

[avgas]

It is a reciprocal agreement, but I thought you had to be living there for at least a year before you're elgible to receive medicare, much like the dole scheme - as a resident (or a citizen) - not as a visitor?
Nah you are covered immediately. And can apply for medicare card as soon as you want to stay.
However they changed a whole heap of crap over there in regards to Kiwi's immigrating when I was there. So medicare did not have a clue as to what the 'new' standard was. And were trying to make me jump through hoops.

[Swoop]

The Northern Territory is interesting. According to that link, there is a fixed charge and then "pay per kilometre" thereafter...
That bill might sting a bit.



A mate was injured when we were in Qld. He was immobilised on the ground when some medical person walked up and said "are ya in the ambulance??".
Mate replied "of course fucking not, I'm laying on the fucking ground with a broken back!!!".
Medical person had to "explain" after that...

[SPman]

Nah you are covered immediately. And can apply for medicare card as soon as you want to stay.
However they changed a whole heap of crap over there in regards to Kiwi's immigrating when I was there. So medicare did not have a clue as to what the 'new' standard was. And were trying to make me jump through hoops.
As from 2001, kiwis do not automatically qualify as a "Permanent citizen", so you are not eligible for the dole, etc. You still qualify for a medicare card though.