Hampton Downs: is there an issue?

**CHOPPA** · 29th October 2010, 15:44

.................................................. ....

**Number One** · 29th October 2010, 15:58

That's chilling to read.

**White trash** · 29th October 2010, 16:04

Originally Posted by Number One

That's chilling to read.

I can't be bothered reading through the thread again as I'm pretty sure I spouted a heap of shit.

I do know that the spot where the tragic accident happened today is a different piece of track to what the OP was concerned about.

That being said, I have listened to a number of different peoples concerns over the spot where the accident DID occur and now can see their point as clear as day.

**Kiwi Graham:Me** · 29th October 2010, 16:25

Is there any grounding to the theory that HD was planned to run in the anticlockwise direction?
And not knowing the facts that has brought this to the debating table again, if it had been run in the opposite direction would this of happened?

**Marknz** · 29th October 2010, 16:28

shit.........................

and I haven't ridden the track yet, so I know fuck all, but is the start/finish line too close to turn one? If you have racers going balls out to get the the line and the chequered flag at the end of a race, do you practically have room to brake before T1?

**Deano** · 29th October 2010, 17:06

Originally Posted by Marknz

shit.........................

and I haven't ridden the track yet, so I know fuck all, but is the start/finish line too close to turn one? If you have racers going balls out to get the the line and the chequered flag at the end of a race, do you practically have room to brake before T1?

After watching Craig and James going over the line at the Nats, yes - there is room to brake, but not enough to stay out of the kitty litter.

It might not have been the problem in this tragedy though.

**10bikekid** · 29th October 2010, 17:23

Sad to hear and thoughts go out to the family,

Having ridden Hampton several times it has always seemed strange that you pass the pit entrance wall at about 220kph, and that it is at right angle to you (though admittedly way off the racing line)

Hope that was not the cause and even it wasn't, cant see it as being safe

My wife has just banned me from the Honda track day there tomorrow

**sidecar bob** · 29th October 2010, 17:26

A prominent racer & multiple NZ motorcycle champion was consulted about the track while it was still bare dirt & voiced serious concerns about the wall to the L/H side on the front straight.

**Cr1MiNaL** · 29th October 2010, 17:32

The owners should sort that kink out, thats a civil engineering disaster. Riding a superbike over it is evidently dangerous, more so in the wet as I have personally experienced. Peace be to the rider and hope the witnesses and Darren/Rachel and HDRD's team recover alright from the trauma. I hear they dealt with it very professionally as I would expect nothing less of Darren.

................................................

no further comment.

**c4.** · 29th October 2010, 18:21

My wife has just banned me from the Honda track day there tomorrow

[/QUOTE]

I hope this is not too soon.

I was there and called my wife, obvious melt down ensued.
I went on to explain that it's 'managed risk', of course riding at 200kph+ is dangerous.

Walking on the pavement at midnight in Ponsonby has cost people their legs!!

Hampton Downs ride days run a great day.
Very professional and super safety concious.

The poor rider down will leave a scar in my soul forever.
To watch the first people there put their hands on their heads straight away chilled me to the bone.

I will be back there next week.

Nothing will make you safe from death.

Huge respect and condolences to his family.

**Cleve** · 29th October 2010, 18:31

Deepest sympathies to friends and family and all who were there at the time.
I have done track days at Hampton Downs and think it is a great track but I also have concerns with that main straight - the kink, the bump and the wall very close to the side. Was talking to Robbie Bugden at one of them and he reckoned that it would be pretty "gnarly in the wet"...

**10bikekid** · 29th October 2010, 18:45

Originally Posted by c4.

My wife has just banned me from the Honda track day there tomorrow

I hope this is not too soon.

I was there and called my wife, obvious melt down ensued.
I went on to explain that it's 'managed risk', of course riding at 200kph+ is dangerous.

Walking on the pavement at midnight in Ponsonby has cost people their legs!!

Hampton Downs ride days run a great day.
Very professional and super safety concious.

The poor rider down will leave a scar in my soul forever.
To watch the first people there put their hands on their heads straight away chilled me to the bone.

I will be back there next week.

Nothing will make you safe from death.

Huge respect and condolences to his family.[/QUOTE]
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I agree completely but its not allways ones self that has to be considered.

I was at the Thundercross Dirt Bike Park, child fatality a while ago and you cant help but feel and Its never good, and hard to comprehend how those closer feel

So I guess we have to say, do your best to Ride safe guys

And Ill sure be there as support tomorrow and out of respect

**lostinflyz** · 30th October 2010, 12:25

the outer wall there and the outer wall at levels after the esses have the same arguments, and very similar issues (puke looks kinda similar (albeit no bump per say, but i have never ridden it). There not going anywhere and to put an air fence there only means if you get out near it and clip it with a bar your guaranteed a big accident.

unfortunately the tracks are pretty set in stone (its just a fact), and all you can do is ride to the best of your abilities and hope luck stays with you.

All you need to do is look at peter lenz accident from indy a couple of months back to see how sometimes terrible, unlucky things are going to happen, no matter what we do with rider and track safety. More often than not all we can do is band together and support those who are hurt by such events, and realize there isn't always someone or thing to blame.

Condolences to the riders family and friends.

**FROSTY:Me** · 31st October 2010, 11:33

Originally Posted by lostinflyz

the outer wall there and the outer wall at levels after the esses have the same arguments, and very similar issues (puke looks kinda similar (albeit no bump per say, but i have never ridden it). There not going anywhere and to put an air fence there only means if you get out near it and clip it with a bar your guaranteed a big accident.

unfortunately the tracks are pretty set in stone (its just a fact), and all you can do is ride to the best of your abilities and hope luck stays with you.

All you need to do is look at peter lenz accident from indy a couple of months back to see how sometimes terrible, unlucky things are going to happen, no matter what we do with rider and track safety. More often than not all we can do is band together and support those who are hurt by such events, and realize there isn't always someone or thing to blame.

Condolences to the riders family and friends.

Sorry lost I don't agree. Pukie,levels etc are established tracks that have been around for a very long time.
HD on the other hand when I origonally posted and is still now in the construction stages.
9 months ago was a better time but even now is a time to look at the track safety through both a motorcycl.ists and a car racers point of view and rectify matters.