Racing a dangerous sport? Some thoughts...

[Biggles08]

Just written some thoughts regarding the dangers surrounding our sport and how it affects those we are close to. For those interested you can read it here (http://www.facebook.com/Bigglesracing#%21/notes/biggles-racing/racing-a-dangerous-sport/138532652865739)

[CM2005]

Nicely written man, couldnt agree more.

[cowboyz]

completely agree. When I heard about it on Friday I went.. 'fuck it.. that kinda sucks really' You know, the normal.. some random guy got killed. It really does suck but does it really affect me? Not really. Sure, Im human and I have sympathy for the guy, his family and all those effected by the tradedy but bad things happen.

About Sat morning I find out the 'random guy' was that guy I used to ride out to castlepoint with. Oh.. that random guy who used to lie back on his bike eating an icecream cause he was too cool to sit on the ground with us. That same guy who was super considerate and a really really geniunely nice guy... and I went fuck it.. that really sucks!

really really fucked me off. Such a waste. Maybe Im an ass or maybe its human nature but it seems alot worse that I know him.

RIP

[MaxCannon]

Very well written.

Was having a discussion on how dangerous motorcycling is a few weeks ago with someone at work.
I pointed out that more people drown every year in NZ than die on motorcycles.

There is risk involved in everything we do. I've had more near death experiences on pedestrian crossings than clocking 200kph on the bike.

Part of the thrill or riding (and riding fast) comes from the element of danger. Just like skydiving, getting in a shark cage, mountain climbing etc
Your brain is telling you not to do it but defying the fear raises andrenaline levels.

[Pussy]

I have recently finished a career where there are only about 50 people participating in it in NZ.
The statistics say that 1.3 of us were getting killed in it every year.
Can be quite sobering. And you get a bit sick of sausage rolls and cups of tea at funerals.
Manage risk to the best of your ability..... and remember that you are no where near as good as you think you are

[Paul in NZ]

Road riding is worse.... There are no paramedics so you cant walk away to your pit when you see the cloud of debris. Your mates tend to die in ditches in your arms... Watching the light go out in a friends eyes tends to shake you up a bit!

Anyway! Without the possibility of instant death a motorcycle is just a draughty car.

Sorry - having a bad week.... and yes - above is true and the ghosts do chase you - well me....

[Whitebait]

Very well written Biggles. Very moving.

It comes back to the old saying that if your prepared to race your prepared to crash.

Life is a funny thing you can die crossing the road but I have actually stopped racing this year for this very reason, my head isn't in it and I would hate to cause or be involved in something that serious.

[Gremlin]

Could you copy here? Have to log in, Don't use Facebook

[Biggles08]

Could you copy here? Have to log in, Don't use Facebook

you shouldn't have to log in to see it Gremlin but here it is anyway:

Well we all know that racing a motorcycle is not the safest sport in the world but the other day at Hampton Downs it really hit home how dangerous it can be. I was unfortunate to witness a horrific accident where a rider lost control on the fastest part of the track and hit the outside wall along pit straight. I was standing in the pits when I glanced around to see a massive cloud of dust towards the beginning of pit straight. I watched a bike catapult into the air along the majority of the front straight finally coming to a rest possibly in excess of 200 meters from the initial accident impact point.

I knew immediately it was not good and when I saw the rider not moving on the side of the track I turned away immediately and walked back to my pit area. I couldn't allow myself to see anymore.

It was a surreal situation and the entire pit area went quite. Everyone was in disbelief on what they had just witnessed. Here was a guy, just like myself really in many ways, a guy who was doing what he enjoyed. He had woken up that morning just as excited as me about a good day ahead riding his toy and it ended in tragedy.

Why do we do this to ourselves was the question I asked myself. It is a dangerous sport in many ways even if they are calculated risks and not stupid ones. I know when I get on my bike I never think I will crash, I completely trust in my ability to maintain control in every situation that is thrown at me...what an arrogant attitude we riders have!

As racers I guess we can't think any different than this. We have no room for self doubt when we are in the midst of it. We have to be arrogant, invincible and beyond doubt completely committed to the race or situation...if we are not we should not really be there.

BUT...what this incident has made me realize is that there is more at stake here than just ourselves. There are our family's and loved ones who may have never wanted us to take these risks to start with. We as Racers / Riders are taking them into our world possibly in many cases against their will. I have realized how fortunate I am to have a wonderful Girlfriend who 100% supports me in my involvement in motorcycle racing and this has made me realize that she is taking these risks alongside me when I am out there racing. She also must trust in my ability's 100% and become just as confident and arrogant as me when I put the helmet on. I know way back in the suppressed part of her brain there is a part that is constantly afraid of this sort of thing happening to me on the track. Like myself, I am old enough and wise enough to be realistic in that even though we NEVER think it will happen to us it most certainly could. So I just wanted to write this note to thank all those people in my life that take this risk with me and believe so strongly in what I do that they are willing to stand beside me and support me knowing the possible terrible consequences of our sport.

Lest we forget...we are not invincible. Ride fast, Ride safe, Ride forever

RIP 32 year old Tim Porter. May your family and loved ones manage to find peace in this horrible time.

[scott411]

well said Marcus, unfortunatly what we do has a element of risk, i know alot of people i know had serious thoughts about racing Motocross when a rider was killed at Harrisville a few years ago, i know at least 3 people that were there that day that never rode or practiced Motocross again, i respect their decision,

but as my mother always explained to others that questioned why she let me race when i was younger, it was the fact that i have always loved riding bikes fast, and that if the worse was to happen and i was killed doing it, i would have gone out doing something that i loved.

[Wingnut]

Really motorcycling in general is dangerous. But its all a calculated risk. We wear safety equipment - barriers and safety measures are in place at most race tracks - we hone our skills (or there lack of) to ride these machines - yet sometimes things dont always go as planned. And for those that push the limits of man and machine the likelyhood of injury or worse is increased exponentailly perhaps?

I just think about Mike Hailwood. One of the greatest ever in the sport, only to be killed by a truck doing an illegal u turn while he and his children were off to get some fish and chips in their Rover. The irony!

[Duke girl]

Yes Motorcycle Racing is Dangerous and so are alot of other sports out there and as a individual l think we all know and realise that everytime we put our helmets and Racing gear on before going out onto the Race Track whether its a Race meeting or a Track Day.
If we thought about it for too long l guess we wouldn't do it, but speaking for myself l have been around Motorcycles and Motorcycle Racing my whole life and its in my blood to continue on being around them for as long as l am on this earth as they are my Passion.
I have 2 daughters that dont really enjoy nor like me being out there, but call me selfish i just cant and dont want to give it up as after having my 2 daughters l went without both a Road bike as well as a Racebike and now that my girls have grown up l have finally got back into both 25 yrs later.
I realise the risk factor is high of serious injury or death to me if l ever came off but l really dont think about that while Riding or Racing.
There must be alot or Motorcyclists out there who have lost someone close to them either through Road accident or Motorcycle Racing accident but how many of us have actually given up either of them because of our loss?
Our memory of those we have lost we cherish each and every day and will do forever.
Marcus your write up was very well done and Yes Dom is 1 very Special girl who supports you 100% who you are so lucky to have as there are alot of partners who dont have the support you do concerning Racing.
Sad loss of life last Friday and that death has hit so many people hard regardless of whether they knew him or not.
May he RIP and his memory live with those who knew him forever.
This is just my 2c worth.

[p.dath]

Could you copy here? Have to log in, Don't use Facebook

I don't have a Facebook account and was able to read it fine.

[Billy]

completely agree. When I heard about it on Friday I went.. 'fuck it.. that kinda sucks really' You know, the normal.. some random guy got killed. It really does suck but does it really affect me? Not really. Sure, Im human and I have sympathy for the guy, his family and all those effected by the tradedy but bad things happen.

About Sat morning I find out the 'random guy' was that guy I used to ride out to castlepoint with. Oh.. that random guy who used to lie back on his bike eating an icecream cause he was too cool to sit on the ground with us. That same guy who was super considerate and a really really geniunely nice guy... and I went fuck it.. that really sucks!

really really fucked me off. Such a waste. Maybe Im an ass or maybe its human nature but it seems alot worse that I know him.

RIP

Well said mate,We had the pleasure to lease Tim a bike for his first ever roadrace meeting at Hampton Downs on the 17th of October,He was in my opinion a very level headed young man who thought very carefully about his every move and was very keen too learn more.It was inspiring too see his enthusiasm and willingness too learn,I was gutted when I heard yesterday it was him that had been killed on friday.

Its coming up 40 years involvement in the sport for me next year and the list of fallen seems endless,But the fact is motorsport is dangerous no matter how many air bags/haybales/medics and layers of cottonwool we apply and death/serious injury are always going too be part of it.

RIP Tim

[Peter Smith]

It's a dangerous sport, but also heaps of fun.
If you are prepared to take the time to get a bike ready, sort out all your riding gear and paper work, DONT forget to get your WILL done.
Most of us racers are young (ish) and don't like to think about these things, but if you don't have your will sorted, and you past away, it can put a huge amount of stress on your loved ones.
As in the case of my brother who died at the age of 41 three years ago and the battle still goes on over his estate.
If you love your family and friends, get it sorted.


I feel very sad for the family of this young man. RIP Dude.

[MSTRS]

Well said, Biggles.
Yes, motorcycling is dangerous. Yes, it hurts and kills people. Yet, most of us wouldn't stop riding because of that. We feel the fear, manage the risks as best we can and do it anyway. Just like parachutists, mountaineers, rally drivers...and so on.
Life is for living and enjoying while you have it. If your passion is no longer pleasurable, find another passion that is. And if your 'time' is up, so be it.
The term "a life not lived is wasted' comes to mind, yet who of us is qualified to judge what another deems 'living'?

[Gremlin]

I don't have a Facebook account and was able to read it fine.
Yeah, can see it fine on the desktop... must have been the mobile...

Well written Biggles :niceone:

[White trash]

Hmmmmmmm, it is well written Marcus. But I wonder, how many in agreement with you are also of the opinion that the IOM TT Races should be banned?

Oh. Hello?

[CHOPPA]

Lets just hope we dont have to have a minutes silence to think about shit like that just before we go on track. I had to ride past a horrific accident at puke, actually had to race past once then ride past a second time.

It was hard to get my head around but I put it behind me so I could concentrate on racing only to have a minutes silence to 'think' about it at every bloody race meeting I attended.

[Nicksta]

nice writing Marcus....
i agree we are selfish to race and risk life and limb every time we go out.
My reasons to race are selfish too... to honour a biker taken by the sport and keep the memory alive... seems a little strange to risk more life to honour life lost but i see it fitting.
I know i have caused a lot of pain and stress with my big accident last year and i cant tell you how many people cant believe i'm back doing it again... I understand the risks and also know how it feels to be on the other side, worrying and watching crashes unfold.
Racing/biking is our passion, without passion what are we?
I race to remember, i race to enjoy, i race to honour and i race for me..... Racing is dangerous but so is crossing the road.

RIP riders who are lost doing what they love.

[hughie495]

Well said mate,We had the pleasure to lease Tim a bike for his first ever roadrace meeting at Hampton Downs on the 17th of October,He was in my opinion a very level headed young man who thought very carefully about his every move and was very keen too learn more.It was inspiring too see his enthusiasm and willingness too learn,I was gutted when I heard yesterday it was him that had been killed on friday.

Its coming up 40 years involvement in the sport for me next year and the list of fallen seems endless,But the fact is motorsport is dangerous no matter how many air bags/haybales/medics and layers of cottonwool we apply and death/serious injury are always going too be part of it.

RIP Tim

Amen I often rode with Tim, he is a very good friend of mine. He was always the sensible one, although we were all pretty good, he would always make calculated decisions and generally not push nearly as hard as the rest of us.
Fantastic guy, nobody would have a bad word to say about him
RIP!

[roadracingoldfart]

Its coming up 40 years involvement in the sport for me next year and the list of fallen seems endless,But the fact is motorsport is dangerous no matter how many air bags/haybales/medics and layers of cottonwool we apply and death/serious injury are always going too be part of it.

RIP Tim


Its only about 29 years for me Billy , but like you i have seen far too many incidents with some ending in the worst way or wheelchair injuries.
The worst incidents are the ones you actually witness or are involved in which is a few for me but i guess i was somewhat hardened or numbed to the outcome, we all deal with things in a differant way .
I personally dont seem to be quite so affected emotionally if i know the rider but didnt see it or didnt attend the meeting.
I have lost count of the times i shouldnt have walked or been carried away from a crash and all the bad ones were on the track, not the road.
I will end this as i do in a lot of my emails , .... "stay safe and take care all " .

RIP all the fallen.

Paul.

[DEATH_INC.]

Good writeup Fella.
Though I unlike you though do often think about the consequences of shit going wrong while I'm out there. It helps keep me from being too crazy.

[Gremlin]

From a marshals perspective, and I certainly don't speak for all, we know you go onto the track accepting the risks that come with it. As racingoldfart commented, the incidents can affect you, and differs from person to person. We do indeed lose people from marshalling that witness bad incidents, and most of the racers are a tight knit bunch, so they're affected as well. Personally, I find it a bit easier not knowing most of the racers.

[ellipsis]

....your thoughts are relevant...if you think like that....never bothered me in the past....a few flutters before a race meeting....more to do with, having to pay the mortgage and getting to work on monday, than the BIG thought....have worked in industries that do kill a lot of bods....cant afford to have those feelings in those situations....my sons are now motorcyclists and m/c racers....their choice...my worries....gotta shrug it off or it will chew you up.....i am more terrified of not being able to race, than of racing....and a lot more terrified on the road...stepped off a low scaffold yesterday. missed the deck ...fell a meter and a half....nearly poked my nuts up to my throat with my hammer handle and have an ankle the size of a grapefruit...relevant or not...dont know....

[Kickaha]

.stepped off a low scaffold yesterday. missed the deck ...fell a meter and a half....nearly poked my nuts up to my throat with my hammer handle and have an ankle the size of a grapefruit...relevant or not...dont know....

I hope that went in your accident register

[Clivoris]

Well said Marcus.

[steve_xland]

I feel bad for anyone who has lost their life or even suffered life-changing injuries through MotorSport. I was witness to one guy when I was racing Superkarts in Australia... he hit the wall hard at Oran Park & was very badly hurt, to the point where had to learn to talk & walk again & is still (12 years on) not fully functional. Lost his business & had a Family who had to try to pick up the pieces & move on.

We all know the risks but still we go out there because it is what we do. We love it.

What pisses me off though, is that my insurance company won't cover me if I am hurt whilst being involved in any form of motorsport. Statistically I have more chance of getting hurt or killed on the public roads than on any race track. So I wonder how they come to this sensible conclusion that Motor Racing is so dangerous. Surely, speeding in a controlled environment is always going to be better than the open road with trees, ditches and also moving obstacles like trucks & cars.

I wonder how this poor bugger's Family got on.

Anyway, good write up...

[D-Meister]

I've been round superbikes/trackdays for the last 10 years and in the racing scene for only 2years now.

It's actually bloody scary to see the amount of injuries sustained per season. Just last season my team-mate managed a highside at Phakisa, Welkom, SA onto the fastest part of the track at about 190km/h. He bounced and got struck by a bike from behind shattering his pelvis, breaking legs and ankle. He's still in and out out theatre every now and again over a year later with his crutches.

But just before he went out he had a vision of falling and joked about it.....
He will also now admit that he was pushing himself beyond his own abilities trying to prove something.

Now I'm not the best rider out there by a long shot but I take every race very serious and just want to finish in one piece. I race because I enjoy the camaraderie, the excitement and the competitiveness....... and a bad day of racing still beats a good day at the office :yes:

Bottom line is IMHO, when you get on your bike do it for yourself, don't try to prove anything to anyone. We not all fast and we can't all win...... but at least we can tell the story on Monday :yes: and that is what makes life worth living. RIDE WITHIN YOUR OWN CAPABILITY. Go to a trackday and find out what you can learn, ride defensively and expect someone in a car to try and kill you and think before you try and be a hero........ sermon over :innocent:

[woodyracer]

racing is dangerous, thats why i like it..dangerous stuff is fun.

[slowpoke]

racing is dangerous, thats why i like it..dangerous stuff is fun.

So why ride a slow superstock bike? Why not a 600 or Superbike? (cost is not an excuse, old'ns are cheap) Why wear leathers? Why wear a back protector? Why not just ride on the road in a tee shirt and shorts? Why not have someone apply random settings to your bike?

Serious questions. There are a million ways to make it more dangerous, yet you take all these ridiculous safety precautions.

[ellipsis]

Serious questions. There are a million ways to make it more dangerous, yet you take all these ridiculous safety precautions.

....can you elucidate on that please...

[slowpoke]

....can you elucidate on that please...

I'm just confused by Woodyracer's affirmation that the danger involved in bike racing is what makes it fun. The danger is what gives him a woody (hence the name?) yet he takes precautions to reduce the danger and therefore his fun.....WTF? Surely the more dangerous the better then right?

Don't mind me, it's just a lil' JAG experiment I should have resisted but couldn't.



JAG = "Jack-Ass" Generation