Cliffhanger. Who's going?

[wharfy]

Who's going to the cliffhanger this weekend ? Who's going to ride ? Who's camping Sat night ? Weather should be OK :)

[Mental Trousers]

I would've, except now my bike is only fit for pushing off the cliff.

[et al]

Hi Kevin, I will be there and camping overnight. Not much talk around this event on here at all, am told it is all happening on Facebook but I am not going to bother checking that out. I reckon Facebook is for Pussies. See you there.

[Punchy]

That is a appropriate sig you've got there :P

[GirrlRacer]

think we might be going up for a look at sometime :)

[Deano]

Hi Kevin, I will be there and camping overnight. Not much talk around this event on here at all, am told it is all happening on Facebook but I am not going to bother checking that out. I reckon Facebook is for Pussies. See you there.

I won't be there tomorrow as I need to spend some time with my grandmother who is not well.

Are you a member of chicken strips on face book Malcolm ? Not many pussies but a lot of boobies to look at !! I will nominate you if you like ?

I may be there on Sunday - not sure at this stage though. Not really in the best headspace at the moment and I don't want to jeopardise my chances at the Nationals. I definitely won't be taking the SV in case of mechanical issues, which just leaves the thou...which is of course a handful on that road. I might just pussy out yet...

[DJSin]

Heading over in the car for Sunday.

Can't wait this is my first Cliffhanger :banana:

[Drew]

First time since in the five years I've been doing it, that I will not be attending. RF needs some clutch attention, and I can't afford the entry fees.

[Sarah311]

Slightly pissed that I missed this on the radar - bugger, Might be able to wing it on Sunday....

[CHOPPA]

First time since in the five years I've been doing it, that I will not be attending. RF needs some clutch attention, and I can't afford the entry fees.

Oh what! Your just dont wanna race Roger aye??

[riffer]

No speculation please people. All will be revealed in the fullness of time.

[Marknz]

:facepalm: RIP whomever it is

[GingerMidget]

So not what I wanted to see :(

RIP to them

[Her_C4]

So very sorry to hear the sad news this afternoon and am still in shock. My heart goes out to family and friends as well as those that were there. Rest in peace matey - rest in peace.

[Hitcher]

Me too. Absolutely gutted.

Putting a Moderator's hat on for a moment, could I please ask members to show respect both for a fallen rider and for this site's rules relating to Biker Down threads. In short, no details of the accident or of the rider until these are made public by the Police.

[Duke girl]

I cant stop crying over this. He will be sadly missed by so many and he was 1 hell of a great person to know.
RIP my friend and may you ride free in the sky above us.
Such a very very sad day indeed. :(

[Deano]

It is with a very heavy heart that I post these news.

The Cliff Hanger Committee chairperson has asked me to post this, and the next of kin have been notified.

Today's event ended with a fatality.

A fatality is always a tragedy, but I am extremely sad to advise that Malcolm Foster (et al) lost his life today after losing control of his bike and running off the road.

I am heartened by reports that his passing was instant and he did not suffer in any way.

It's not much of a consolation, but Malcolm really loved competing at the cliff hanger - I'm almost sure it was his favourite race meeting.

While I believe that Malcolm did this event for the pure fun of it, I understand that he had bettered his best time today, and I trust that he was very happy and on top of the world before his last run.

I will personally miss you at the track Malcolm, particularly Wanganui where we used to pit beside you.

You were an extremely great guy, a true gentleman who never had a bad word to say about anyone.

I hope that you are riding your big red Ducati in the great hill climb in the sky mate.

RIP and my sincerest condolences to your family.

[DJSin]

RIP

He was a great guy and will be missed

My thoughts are with his family

[Gone Burger]

RIP Malcolm.

Thoughts are with his family and friends tonight as they begin to grieve.

[ktm]

Oh FUCK!!! He gave me a wave from the start line yesterday when I went for a look. RIP Malcolm, I will miss you.

[Foxzee]

Thanks Deano, I'm sure we all realise that this would not have been easy for you to release.

RIP..thoughts to family and all involved.

[James Deuce]

Shit. I enjoyed Malcolm's company tremendously and he will be missed at work on Monday.

[sil3nt]

Was he an active KB'er?

[ecko_nzed]

RIP Malcolm.

Thoughts are with his family and friends tonight as they begin to grieve.

+ 1, gutted to hear

[Crasherfromwayback]

Very sad news indeed. He was a really nice guy and always a pleasure to deal with.

R.I.P mate.

[James Deuce]

Was he an active KB'er?

Yes. Just very quiet and only an occasional poster. A VERY nice man with a real passion for all things Ducati.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/6386-SCC-Ride-4?highlight=Senior+Citizens

[madmal64]

A very sad loss. RIP Malcolm. A real nice guy.

[Mooch]

Bloody nice guy and sadly missed. Condolances to his family that he leaves behind. He is a total gentleman !

He was the sort of guy that was kind enough to offer to take me and my bike home when I came off on the Cliffhanger a couple of years back and the use of his tools to tidy the bike up. We also shared the 750cc Ducati passion.

[MD]

Well said Dean, kind words and so true, Malcolm only ever had kind words to say about anyone.

Hard to believe I spoke briefly with Malcolm at the lunch break today. He sure did love his Ducatis and racing.

In 2004 a 19 y.o. KBer died near Gladstone (Sam/Flyin). He was a Tawa person so I gathered any Riders I could find in the burb to get together a few days later at the Roundabout Pub. Malcolm and his two Sons came along. Often saw him or one of the Boys riding in/out of Tawa.

RIP Malcolm. You were a true gentleman and sadly missed. Kind thoughts for your family.

[lukemillar]

Really gutted to hear this. My thoughts go out to Malcolm's family

[Paul in NZ]

Dammit.... I thought I was over getting upset over this sort of news. Apparently not....

RIP Malcom - you were a true gentleman motorcyclist of the first order. Respectful and considerate to others on the road and off - damn shame...

[Deano]

Well said Dean, kind words and so true, Malcolm only ever had kind words to say about anyone.

Hard to believe I spoke briefly with Malcolm at the lunch break today. He sure did love his Ducatis and racing.

In 2004 a 19 y.o. KBer died near Gladstone (Sam/Flyin). He was a Tawa person so I gathered any Riders I could find in the burb to get together a few days later at the Roundabout Pub. Malcolm and his two Sons came along. Often saw him or one of the Boys riding in/out of Tawa.

RIP Malcolm. You were a true gentleman and sadly missed. Kind thoughts for your family.
Hi Mark,

I saw you heading back into the pit area - can't recall if it was before lunch or after now....bit of brain fade going on.

I am so glad I got to speak to Malcolm briefly before his last run as well.

And leaving the event, this tragedy also reminded of Sam when going through 'his' corner.

[Madness]

I met Malcolm a few times and he was quite clearly a very decent guy and a true Ducatisti. My condolences to his friends & family and thoughts go out to those involved in the event today.

RIP

[cowboyz]

not good. Raced againist Malcolm last year. Really good guy and was a fantastic supporter of all things racing.

RIP

[fatboyzed]

RIP Malcolm.

One of nicest guys i have ever met.

Condolences to family and friends

[Kendog]

RIP Malcolm.

[sels1]

Very sad to hear. One of the good guys.
Condolences to family and friends.

[Hawkeye]

I was talking to Malcolm at the break just before his run. Can't believe this. RIP Malcolm. Condolences go out to the family.

[nadroj]

RIP Malcolm - a true gentleman.

[Dafe]

Very sad news.
RIP Malcolm, My thoughts are with your son Dean and your other family members too.
First Sam, now Malcolm. As a Tawa lad myself, it's a sad day. Can't say I know of any KBers in my local hood now.
I enjoyed seeing Malcolm racing at Wangavegas, he's always so laid back. I'd often bump into him around the Pahatanui inlet on a weekend too. Way too sad.....
I hope Malcolms riding in the heavens above now!

[Mom]

Kia kaha guys, sad news.

[yungatart]

I don't know if I ever met him, but I certainly have seen him race, and waved the flag for him countless times.
He is obviously held in high regard by all who knew him.
My condolences to his family and friends.

[Nasty]

It wasn't till I saw his pic on vmcc that I realised that I definately know et al ...
One of this places and racings nice guys ... RIP Malcolm.

My thoughts are with your family and friends.

[MSTRS]

A(nother) poignant reminder that the 'fine line' is oh-so-easy to cross.
I didn't know you, but I sure know of you, and have seen you around at countless race meetings.
RIP Malcolm

[Dreama]

Introduced myself to Malcom a few years back ... we were part of the few that love racing our Ducatis despite the intrisic hassles, and that fact, coupled with the usual link that racers have for each other, immediatly acknowledged two strangers as having something extremely similier driving them.

It really is extremely sad and sobering. RIP mate, and all condolences to his grieving family and friends.

Ed

[Str8 Jacket]

I really don't know what to say. Come back from a weekend away racing to this news. Malcolm was a person who I always just assumed would be with us forever, he was one of the first people I met when I started riding and then again when I started racing he was always there to encourage and just be there, racing (bikes) was his passion as was helping people (anyone). It's hard to believe that he won't be there anymore, I have to stop taking this for granted.
Memories are forever though and he has left some fine memories! RIP mate, we will all miss you.

[wharfy]

Sitting around on Saturday night having a beer, talking about our kids, Malcolm telling me his son was living at home and how he always used the dryer instead of hanging the washing on the line, but was obviously glad to have him there. Sharing his homemade "Malc muffin" with me. Talking about mundane stuff like the merits of Toyota Vans or the "HiAce Hilton" as Malcolm like to call his. Waking on Sunday to find the 675 decorated with a black lace bra courtesy of Malcolm and spyda. After the hillclimb was cancelled I was shocked and disbelieving when told it was Malcolm who crashed and he was dead, the empty space behind the "HiAce Hilton" where Malcolms Ducati should have been mute proof that it was true. It is very sad, Katie and I will miss you at the track and the frequent friendly greetings on the streets of Wellington.

[Ronin]

Everybody say hi to the stuff reporter. While this is a public forum, do you not think that asking permission to quote from users here who are after all, mates with the person you are reporting on, would be a good idea?

Interesting to see that Stuff is now quoting directly from kiwibiker instead of doing any actual real reporting.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6558498/Wairarapa-hillclimb-crash-victim-named

[Mental Trousers]

Comments made on this forum are public and like anything else public all that's required is to acknowledge the source.

[avgas]

Interesting to see that Stuff is now quoting directly from kiwibiker instead of doing any actual real reporting.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6558498/Wairarapa-hillclimb-crash-victim-named

Deano:Me lol
Me stands for mentor..........ok SHABNAM DASTGHEIB AND SEAMUS BOYER

[avgas]

Shit - just realised it was et al

Funny how you know people but you don't. But its sad when you find out they are dead.

RIP

[sil3nt]

Stuff is well known for its dodgy reporting and frequent use of forums to gain information - no matter how accurate or inaccurate the information is.

[Paul in NZ]

Don't be too harsh on the reporters. Better to get a few 'nice' comments this way than hassling Malcolms family eh?

I'm still kinda stunned about this.... Bloody shame.

btw - please add a supporting comment in the story on line countering the 1st comment from some clown that wants the event canned. Disrespectful comes to mind but please don't go overboard.....

This one here

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wairarapa/6560330/Crash-victim-a-true-gentleman?comment_msg=posted#post_comment

[James Deuce]

http://static.stuff.co.nz/1331510242/884/6560884.jpg

[Deano]

Don't be too harsh on the reporters. Better to get a few 'nice' comments this way than hassling Malcolms family eh?

I'm still kinda stunned about this.... Bloody shame.

btw - please add a supporting comment in the story on line countering the 1st comment from some clown that wants the event canned. Disrespectful comes to mind but please don't go overboard.....

This one here

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wairarapa/6560330/Crash-victim-a-true-gentleman?comment_msg=posted#post_comment

I have clicked the 'post comment' button but it doesn't seem to work.

The clown can't even string a sentence together that makes sense.

If I could reply it would be along the lines of "The cliffhanger has been running for 12 years now and this is the first fatality. If we were to ban every human pursuit that ever claimed a life, what a boring place the world would be. Just think about that for a moment. No horse riding, no mountain climbing, no flying, no motorsport at all. In fact, there would be bugger all to do that challenges us as people and enrichens our lives by pursuing activities that bring us joy and a sense of acomplishment. I certainly wouldn't want to live in a world like that".

Hopefully someone will have more luck posting there than I did.

[MSTRS]

Hmmm...
Click the 'Post comment' and it tells me "Comment submitted for approval"...but I didn't comment.

I'm sensing another beat-up of bike related stuff. One comment has been 'allowed' ...

Rb #1 12:49 pm Mar 12 2012

With all due respect, riding a bike on a back country road at speeds barely safe on a race track is a fatality waiting to happen. This event should be canned.

[James Deuce]

Hopefully someone will have more luck posting there than I did.

Comment attempt made thusly:
On behalf of sever friends of Malcolm:
The Cliff Hanger has been running for 12 years now and this is the first fatality. If we were to ban every human pursuit that ever claimed a life, what a boring place the world would be. Just think about that for a moment. No horse riding, no mountain climbing, no flying, no motorsport at all. In fact, there would be bugger all to do that challenges us as people and enrichens our lives by pursuing activities that bring us joy and a sense of acomplishment. We certainly wouldn't want to live in a world like that.

[Paul in NZ]

Hmmm...
Click the 'Post comment' and it tells me "Comment submitted for approval"...but I didn't comment.

I'm sensing another beat-up of bike related stuff. One comment has been 'allowed' ...

They need to be approved and these are really still morning papers. ie minimal changes as the day goes on.

Still poor form if you ask me!

[Deano]

Aha - have to register and sign in. People have posted what my thoughts are so I'll leave it.

Good on you guys.

[MSTRS]

I managed to get through to the comment page. The links above don't seem to let you do that...had to go to Stuff, find the article manually and then I could.

To those calling for this event to be banned. You what? Just because 'you' wouldn't risk life or limb doesn't mean that others should be prevented from partaking in life. Yes. Life. It is for living and every minute of it comes with risk attached. Each one of us decides what level we are personally prepared to undertake (no pun intended). It's a tragedy that someone lost their life doing something they lived for, but how much more tragic would that be if they died while being prevented from living their way.
Some of you people really should try running with scissors sometime. I promise you'll feel more alive for having done it.

Try this link (http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wairarapa/6560330/Crash-victim-a-true-gentleman)

[Mooch]

I thought the stuff article was a lot better than the Dom Post report in this mornings paper.

Shame about the PC brigade post though, some people can go through life without ever having lived.

They'd never understand why we are drawn to these type of events, hard to describe but it's a bit like that quote in the Burt Munroe film. I firmly believe this.

"glegge" took a nice pick a couple of years ago in the 2010 Cliffhanger. Shows Et al in his signature floppy sun hat !

http://gavweb.dts.net.nz/gallery2/v/Cliffhanger-hillclimb/DSC00080.JPG.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1

[Nasty]

Comment added.

But overall not a bad article. At least they knew where to find reasonable information.

[riffer]

Likewise to others. I met Malcolm a few times, mostly at the Paekakariki Lookout; we seemed to cross paths a few times there. Funny though, as I spend a bit of time in Tawa.

I've added to the stuff article. If we are to ban sports people die in, let's target lawn bowls. Damned dangerous sport that one

[elle-f]

Really sad news. My heart goes out to his family and friends.

[Madness]

Dalefield Road Sprints a couple of years ago.

[Number One]

Dalefield Road Sprints a couple of years ago.

He had fine taste in motorcycles that man. Was one of the first to send me congratulatory bling when I brought my Rocco.

When I did my first Cliffhanger (ok only Cliffhanger...to date) he gave me stick when I got to the top on the second run as he said my grin got up the hill before I did.

Heartfelt condolences to his family and friends and fellow racers.

My thoughts also to all involved on the day from stewards, timers and organisers and especially to the marshals on the hill.

Rest in peace Malcolm.

[stu_dog]

Hi everyone. thanks for your wonderful comments. there is a facebook page for Malcolm where you can share your comments and post any photos you may have. http://www.facebook.com/groups/171356979649396/ (Tribute to Malcolm Foster).

Thanks,
Foster Family

[CHOPPA]

Hi everyone. thanks for your wonderful comments. there is a facebook page for Malcolm where you can share your comments and post any photos you may have. http://www.facebook.com/groups/171356979649396/ (Tribute to Malcolm Foster).

Thanks,
Foster Family


I reckon Facebook is for Pussies.


Now you dont have a choice and you have to join us all on facebook! :)

[crazy man]

RIP Malcolm , only just found out! had a good race with Malcolm at the last manfeild round last year glad he bet me and won his first race . only just started talking with Malcolm after having years off racing ..very sad ! scott

[Duke girl]

I attended Malcolms Funeral on Saturday on the back of my husband Russell's Ducati 999s. We left Waikanae along with 4 others from the Kapiti Coast around 9am and travelled to Whitby arriving there around 9.30. There was already alot of bikes there along with those who arrived in cars and it wasn't long before 10 o'clock had arrived and we were heading inside for the service.
As we were walking in we were handed a booklet on the service with a Wonderful photo of Malcolm on the front with a Red boarder on the edge. It made me not only shed a few tears but at the same time a wee smile as l knew the Red was symbolising the colour of his Ducati's, and that was a lovely touch.
The Service was very touching and it was great to listen to all of the wonderful stories the Family had of their Amazing Father/Brother & Nephew and Race friends of his Love and passion for Motorcycles especially Ducati's.
He sure was Highly Respected and a well Loved and Liked person by all of those who knew him.
His Children were so Lucky to have him as their father and he was lucky to have them as his Children.
Malcolm touched so many of our Hearts and I know that the Wonderful memories l have of him l will cherish forever.
I will miss seeing his Red & Black leathers with the numbers 999 on the back and his very immaculate 999 out on the track in the Clubmans Class as well as in the Pit Garage at Manfield.
He was Truely a Great Gentleman and and well repected 1 at that also.
May his #160 Live on forever and that his remaining rides in the skies above bring him enjoyment and pleasure as he did to us.
RIP Malcolm......Never to be forgotten.
Thank you for being the person you were and for being my friend. :)