Gus Scott killed at IOM TT [Archive]

gav

12th June 2005, 10:24

Gus Scott, roadtester and journalist for Performance Bikes and MCN among others, has died following an accident whilst racing in the Senior TT at the Isle of Man.

The incident happened on the second lap of the Senior event on Friday, June 10, 2005. Race marshal April Bolster also died in the same incident.
RIP
http://www.f1photographs.co.uk/images/Gus%20Scott%201d_JPG.jpg
http://www.fyldesuperbikes.co.uk/images/gusscott10.jpg

zadok

12th June 2005, 10:41

Sad news. I see the marshall was a lady who lived in the village she was marshalling.

onearmedbandit

12th June 2005, 10:45

Oh no, not sackface... Fuck first JR dies, then Ronnie Smith, I think Jamie was next and now Gus. PB has really taken some huge losses. Most unfortunate, I really rated Gus, great rider and writer. RIP brother, I'm sure you and Ronnie are up to no good where-ever you both are. A sad day.

[Edit] RIP to the marshall as well.

sAsLEX

12th June 2005, 10:45

Yes is worse when volunteers who obviously love the sport get killed, and it dont help the case for keeping the event going.

Sparky Bills

12th June 2005, 10:56

Very sad news.
Just shows how easily it all happens.

Coyote

12th June 2005, 11:22

Always sad to hear

RIP

SPman

12th June 2005, 14:26

Lets hope the Gus and Ronnie show is carrying on somewhere. Another great loss. A good rider and a great guy. Also leaves a 10 yr old daughter! :bye:

Ghost Lemur

12th June 2005, 18:18

...and it dont help the case for keeping the event going.

I'm sorry but that's bullocks. No participant, whether racer, marshall or even spectator is unaware of the risks. We are talking about street racing. It's a dangerous sport, so what? That doesn't make it a bad thing?

My sympathy to the families. I don't wish to detract from their loss, but I do get angry when do-gooders use these events to try and remove control from adults capable of making their own judgments as to risk/reward of an endevour.

sAsLEX

12th June 2005, 18:56

I'm sorry but that's bullocks. No participant, whether racer, marshall or even spectator is unaware of the risks. We are talking about street racing. It's a dangerous sport, so what? That doesn't make it a bad thing?

My sympathy to the families. I don't wish to detract from their loss, but I do get angry when do-gooders use these events to try and remove control from adults capable of making their own judgments as to risk/reward of an endevour.

fuck its not me saying its bad! its that deaths cause controversy in these day and ages you cant even smack your kids so how does a sport, well an event, that causes the death of people every year look to the people who govern over there?

onearmedbandit

12th June 2005, 20:50

Consenting adults in the pursuit of greatness, and a good time. Unfortunately things don't always go to plan, but for these riders, mechancs, team owners, officials, etc, the desire to be there over-rides the fear. Until they start pushing hard drugs, raping women and slaughtering little childrens pets at the IOM leave them be.

Sensei

12th June 2005, 21:58

Feel for the poor Marshall's family .& the riders to but Shit happens when ya race . Sometimes good other time not so great . At least he was doing what he loved . RIP

Juan

12th June 2005, 22:02

RIP Gus and April... and indeed to all who fall whilst doing what they love, whatever that maybe.......

loosebruce

12th June 2005, 22:15

Sad news indeed, RIP Gus........ good rider and writer to match, poor old PB have seen better days that's for sure.

saul

13th June 2005, 06:22

Death whenever, is difficult to cope with it is the great unknown (to some) RIP

Kwaka-Kid

13th June 2005, 06:57

[QUOTE=sAsLEX] [QUOTE]

Gotcha back there Alex! Ghost Lemur you have obviously mid-read his post, stop, go up, re-read, re-think.

Sad, sorry to hear. RIP to another brother.

Pwalo

13th June 2005, 08:22

That's really sad news. I've been getting PB since I got back into biking a few years ago now and always enjoyed Gus' columns (John Robinson's and Ronnie Smith's as well).

Bummer to hear that a marshall was killed as well.

RIP Gus.

venturazx12r

13th June 2005, 08:48

I'm sorry but that's bullocks. No participant, whether racer, marshall or even spectator is unaware of the risks. We are talking about street racing. It's a dangerous sport, so what? That doesn't make it a bad thing?

My sympathy to the families. I don't wish to detract from their loss, but I do get angry when do-gooders use these events to try and remove control from adults capable of making their own judgments as to risk/reward of an endevour.

Trouble is all the PC people and the souless over here use every fatality at the TT to try and get the thing shut down. Over the years and in the years to come these listless do-gooders will get their way. I`ve been to the TT more times than I care to remember and I for one hope it continues for many a year to come, even though,now, I personally prefer to jump on the ferry with my bike and head of to Estoril or Monza for the Moto GP or Le Mans and Spa for the 24 hour endurance racing. RIP buddy

Ghost Lemur

13th June 2005, 09:23

fuck its not me saying its bad! its that deaths cause controversy in these day and ages you cant even smack your kids so how does a sport, well an event, that causes the death of people every year look to the people who govern over there?

Gotcha back there Alex! Ghost Lemur you have obviously mid-read his post, stop, go up, re-read, re-think.

Sad, sorry to hear. RIP to another brother.

I didn't missread anything. Nor did I think it was the opinion of sAsLEX. However as he vocalised what the moral minority nanniests believe/think, I directed my rebuttal to him.
No offence intended sAsLEX.

We really do have to fight this rediculous attempt to make life "safe". Life isn't safe, it's finite and fragile. Which in my opinion is a damn good thing, I couldn't think of anything more abhorent than living forever, think you procrastinate now imagine being able to put off doing something for a couple of centuries. Just as pain acts as a counter balance to pleasure (without the former you wouldn't know what the latter is truely worth), so without death being constantly around the corner there would be no life to live just existance.

Sooner these people stop trying to make everyone live forever the better. And don't get me started on these idiots trying to remove competition from kids lives as if there has ever been a child so emotionally fragile as to be incapable of dealing with loosing.

mangell6

13th June 2005, 16:20

"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all" -- Helen Keller

GSVR

13th June 2005, 17:12

Thats brought the total deaths this year to 3 riders and one marshal. (Have I missed any)

First was the Karlson guy then the Sidecar rider and now this obviously very experienced rider.

Kickaha

13th June 2005, 18:30

Thats brought the total deaths this year to 3 riders and one marshal. (Have I missed any)

First was the Karlson guy then the Sidecar rider and now this obviously very experienced rider.

The sidecar rider was Les Harah another experienced competitor
http://www.superbike-news.co.uk/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=3705&z=34

Bishy

13th June 2005, 20:15

Met both Ronnie and Gus whilst racing there in 2002. Ronnie was larger than Life and Gus was larger than everyone!
I agree that the risks are great, but when you are involved in that scene its easy to push them to the back of your mind, I have ridden past fatal crashes in practice and had to carry on the lap at race speed to qualify.
It took me two years of isolating myself from the whole scene to finally get over the urge to race there and I'm happy I have stopped, Its like the worst and best drug all rolled into one. I get very sad when any rider dies but to continually lose these talented guys is just heart wrenching.
I'm Rambling now, best I say RIP Gus mate, I'm off to get my knee rug and walking frame.

That Guy

14th June 2005, 12:58

Its like the worst and best drug all rolled into one.

Couldn't put have it better - and coming from one whos been there and done the business too, no less.

It's sad Gus has gone; but everyone who races there has a chance of killing themselves and sadly Gus's number came up. He was probably lucky not to get killed at Macau last year (or 2 years ago?) so he had already escaped once from the 'real' road racing reaper.

I'm torn between the insanity of letting 'real' road racing happen , and just how awesome it is in watching nutters scream down brae hill. Probably, sadly, a death is coming to NZ soon at either Paeroa or Wanganui - and that'll suck when it happens because the OSH freaks will go straight for NZ motorcycling's throat.

Like Bishy says - the best and worst drug rolled into one.

RIP Gus, but there will be more.

magnum

14th June 2005, 21:09

bummer,rip.pb is having a bad run,my favourite mag for 15 years.

White trash

15th June 2005, 12:53

Can I ask a question?

What the fuck was the marshall doing runnig accross the track during a race? Seems the marshall wasn't killed by the motorcyclist but vice versa.

Now *that* is a clusterfuck.

Edit: Apparently, a rider had stopped on the inside, out of the way of racers coming through, to make an adjustment. No one knows why April ran accross the track towards him.

Bartman10

15th June 2005, 17:42

gav

15th June 2005, 22:14

Juan

16th June 2005, 05:20

Yeah, this is what will ultimately end the Isle of Man races, not that the track is dangerous (which it is, and the riders ride accordingly) Its the whole lack of professionalism surrounding it. I think Dave Jefferies crashed on oil from another bike, no yellow flags out, Jim Moodie was lucky to survive after he was tangled up in the same accident, got caught up in phone wires or similiar. Its these incidents that are really scary. Sure riders accept the risk, but lets say to the riders, all put your name in a hat, out of 200 names we'll pull two out, you two won't be going home, or ask the riders to pull two names out. Wouldnt be two keen then, either. As the past has shown its not always the inexperienced who get caught out, even the best are taking a huge (unneccessary) risk. How much longer will the TT survive?

Whilst agreeing thet the course is dangerous, and when you sit next to the track you then will understand how it can NEVER be safe.
As for DJ's crash aftermath, Jim Moodie was repremanded for not slowing enough as yellow flags were being waved....

As for the risk, yes it is the most dangerous track you can race on in the world and that is why most rider want to ride it.....

Emotive subject i'm affraid, debate will rage for as long as the TT continues, still more people die fishing every year so i'm told than die racing motorcycles, and while we, as inhabitants of this planet, are willing to take risks, some will pay the ultimate price.... RIP guys

SPman

16th June 2005, 06:51

The Marshall ran across the track! Shades of Tom Pryces accident in the 1974 South African F1 GP!

Why are "extreme sports" becoming more and more popular in the western world? - because all other life and sports events are being sanitised, to ensure that no one is hurt. Without an element of risk, fate, to tempt, human spirit atrophies.
The riders at events like the TT are well aware of the risks. It is a measure of their personal sense of self value and worth, that they compete there, despite all this, and its why they are held in such high esteem, by others who know! It is a challenge, like rock climbing, etc and will be continually disparaged by people who are scared of life and wish to foist their fear on the rest of the populace.

None of us really wants to die, but, how can you truly know life, if you dont face death!

Sometimes you dont come back - which is why we mourn, but also salute and respect those who have taken the risks which sets them apart from mere mortals.
Ernest Hemingway said, the only true sports, were motor racing, mountaineering and bull fighting!

Beauracracy will never understand!

Vale, Gus, and all those before and who will come after.

Pwalo

16th June 2005, 08:28

RiP Gus - PB journalists seem to be cursed.

See http://www.fyldesuperbikes.co.uk/racing.htm for further info on WT's comments

Thanks for the link Bartman. What a bloody horrible accident, and what the hell was the marshall thinking.

eliot-ness

16th June 2005, 10:42

Yeah, this is what will ultimately end the Isle of Man races, not that the track is dangerous (which it is, and the riders ride accordingly) Its the whole lack of professionalism surrounding it. I think Dave Jefferies crashed on oil from another bike, no yellow flags out, How much longer will the TT survive?

This is a question that has been raised annually since I started riding in the 50s. The I.O.M. is governed, not by U.K. parliament, but by it's own government. T.T. week provides a huge revenue for an Island with little industry and reliant mostly on the tourist trade. So long as this is the case, and riders are willing to race there, the T.T. will survive. David Jefferies was from a long line of bike racers. I bought my first bike from his Grandfather, Allen who was a Triumph works rider, His son, Tony Jefferies, David's father I think, was a top rider, badly injured in a race accident. As long as there are people like these, totally commited to bikes, the races will survive.. It's interesting to note that guys like Geoff Duke were national heroes back in the 50s, rating as high as soccer and motor racing stars. Now they don't get a mention on the sports news.

It will be interesting to see if the clerk of the course is charged with manslaughter as happened when a rider was killed at a sprint meeting there last year.

R.I.P. for all who are killed doing what they love the most.