How that ideal foreign trackday can go horribly wrong

**ensure** · 18th September 2010, 16:55

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** · 18th September 2010, 16:59

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

**Dogboy900** · 18th September 2010, 17:06

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** · 18th September 2010, 17:29

Geez man that really sucks

Did they not offer you insurance for the bike and the gear at the track?

**onearmedbandit** · 18th September 2010, 17:31

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** · 18th September 2010, 17:43

Originally Posted by nutjob

Geez man that really sucks

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** · 18th September 2010, 17:46

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

**nutjob** · 18th September 2010, 17:49

Originally Posted by Mental Trousers

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

4K? Bloody hell!

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** · 18th September 2010, 17:53

Originally Posted by nutjob

4K? Bloody hell!

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** · 18th September 2010, 18:03

Originally Posted by Mental Trousers

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** · 18th September 2010, 18:08

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** · 18th September 2010, 18:14

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

**danchop** · 18th September 2010, 18:16

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

**grusomhat** · 18th September 2010, 18:42

: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/amb...tate-to-state/