Sad news from Manfeild

**MoFunthanmost** · 24th July 2005, 16:55

damn - caught the tail end of the story on the news last night but didnt hear most of it.
Relieved to hear not many kb'ers werent hurt - but thoughts and best wishes to those who were

**Ivan** · 24th July 2005, 20:03

Originally Posted by Brian d'marge

THERE WAS F$%&''((())'%#$#...... WHAT ....ONE RED FLAG that borders on criminal Stupidity .. that race should have NEVER have run ..

( I am only reading second hand so really am not informed )

BUT

Since I have been subscibing to KB I have heard of 3 racers that have been killed since xmas
THATS APPALLING , PERIOD

( this has actually pissed me off...an that doesnt happen often ,,,but there is NO way on this gods green earth that ANYONE should run such a risk in ANY sport ,,,Even THUGBY)

Please if you are racing ... GET off YOUR arses and grab a flag ,,,,an if there isnt enough people ( an I mean proper people who have a clue as to marshalling ,,not just the mates girlfiends mum ) ....and if you feel that there isnt enough safety .......

Dont F&&#& race ,,,its to frigging dangerous .........

I know I am preaching to the converted ,,,but ...I will be contacting MNZ as I am tired of this ,,,,back office make the rules do nothing ,,( and most probably get a big wedge ) bullshyite

Stephen

Thats all thats needed I give my thoughts to his family and I'm sorry for the people who tried to help and race control

**soundbeltfarm** · 24th July 2005, 20:28

my family and i pass on our condolences and thoughts for all family and friends of those injured and to all that were there on the day.

**SixPackBack** · 24th July 2005, 20:37

Sincere condolences to family and freinds

**sels1** · 24th July 2005, 21:13

Originally Posted by That Guy

This is awful news, my sympathies to those involved and affected; which one way another is all of us more or less.

well put, I second that

**skidMark** · 24th July 2005, 21:31

a friend of mine is family friends with the rider killed my condolences go out to all

..............................................RIP
Owen

**gpercivl** · 24th July 2005, 22:10

No Hair Racing Race Report

Vic Club #4

Terrible day at Manfeild.

Yesterday was one of those days that if you could turn back the clock by 24 hours we all would have wished we could.

The day started out pretty much the same as all race days and the weather was dry. Practice sessions and qualifying went well for both Bob & I, and I was out racing first in the 12 lap Supersport race. Bob went out next in Post Classics and had a good result then he went out again in the first of the Superlite races.

I missed the first start of Bob's race but it was red flagged and I was there for the re-start to get his lap times. The field took off and the leading bunch swept around Dunlop corner running in reverse direction for this round. Bob was about two thirds back and as he exited Dunlop along the back straight toward Higgins, one of the riders in front was out on the grass and veered back on to the track in front of Bob. Bob braked a little to avoid him and was hit from behind and left side by a third rider. Bob went down on his left side and he rolled and slid coming to a stop about 100m down the track, his bike went about 50m further and burst into flames. Another rider went down nearby bring the total to four at the back of the track.

Seeing the four riders go down, the race was red flagged and as the leaders were just coming through the final turn on to the front straight they were flagged to a stop on the start finish line to form up again. More than a dozen riders had stopped when the tragedy occurred, riders further back on the track had not seen the red flag and at least three riders crashed into the riders on the grid.

It was the worst accident I have seen with five people lying on the track and one killed instantly. People jumped over the pit wall and helped as much as they could until the ambulances arrived.

All the No Hair Race Team members wish to offer our condolences and sympathies to the Brunton family and friends. We wish the injured riders a speedy recovery.

Bob's bike continued to burn for about 40 mins even after two fire extinguishers were used and we were able to retrieve his bike about an hour and a half later. Bob's in good shape with just a few bruises and a grazed elbow but his bike is beyond repair.

Regards, Greg

No Hair Racing Team
www.nohair.co.nz

**raster** · 24th July 2005, 22:17

Thanks for that Greg, my heart goes out to all concerned.

**Sparky Bills** · 25th July 2005, 09:05

Has anyone heard how Rob and Murray are??

And how are you Mitch??

**Mitch** · 25th July 2005, 09:20

Originally Posted by Sparky Bills

Has anyone heard how Rob and Murray are??

And how are you Mitch??

Heya Martin.

I'm doing pretty good!
Rob was discharged from hospital on Sat, badly broken leg.
They kept Murray in as there was concerns regarding internal injuries. To the best of my knowledge he is ok and home now.

**Sparky Bills** · 25th July 2005, 09:23

Originally Posted by Mitch

Heya Martin.

I'm doing pretty good!
Rob was discharged from hospital on Sat, badly broken leg.
They kept Murray in as there was concerns regarding internal injuries. To the best of my knowledge he is ok and home now.

Thanx.
I have been trying to find Rob's number to ring him but cant.
We have just done work to his bike on the dyno, (maybe be doing a bit more aye?)
Good to hear your alright.

**Bishy** · 25th July 2005, 09:56

Firstly, condolences to family and friends of the deceased rider.
Now, my two cents worth.
One red flag on line is normal for racing over here, we are not morons and if a rider sees yellows on more than one point surely he would become more aware of his surroundings ie not just the guy he was dicing with, but looking further ahead for the reason - perhaps an ambulance on the track, riders down in the way, a dog on the front straight, major oils spill etc etc. I know running in reverse you dont have a hang of a long time before you get to the line at Manfeild but its not on the exit of pepsi? (showing my age here).
Think about Pukekohe, Taupo etc the start finish is a lot closer to prev corner than manfeild, so you are relying on riders to be looking ahead at all times, not just under yellow because we all know how quickly an accident can occur and in some weird places too.
Often in a situation like this its the faster more experienced riders that because of their position in the race are the ones that are back on the line stopped and waiting whilst perhaps less experienced guys are still scrapping it out further down the field high on adreneline and so in the zone they are in effect riding with their eyes shut.
I guess what I am trying to say is we are in love with a dangerous sport, no amount of flags and rules and leather are going to make it completely safe, we are free thinking intelligent sportsmen/women and need to be alert for any possibility while out there, not just looking at the tacho or the two metres of track in front of us, anyone who saw the motogp 125 race last night can appreciate how quickly it can turn to bedlam even with the most proffesional riders/marshalls etc.
So lets all take a minute out and learn from this, one of our family is dead, a few injured, it would be a greater loss if no-one took anything from this lesson and continued on riding with blinders on, going round and round waiting for officials to wave flags at them, point to the fastest lines, wipe their asses and generally think for them.
Its a shame that in a sports mad country the only TV coverage Bike Racing manages to get is something like this!
Thats it, I feel better now - sorry if I rambled on.
Keep going faster people - by thinking!
Cheers
Bishy.

**Motoracer** · 25th July 2005, 12:29

I was shocked from all this. Don't know what else to say specially since I have watched the guy race, who has now passed away.

This shows the grim reality of how dangerous our sport can really be at times.

A real tragidy indeed...

**GSVR** · 25th July 2005, 12:30

Originally Posted by Mitch

Heya Martin.

I'm doing pretty good!
Rob was discharged from hospital on Sat, badly broken leg.
They kept Murray in as there was concerns regarding internal injuries. To the best of my knowledge he is ok and home now.

Sorry I just got online.

After Rob was discharged from Hospital I drove him back to Manfield and we loaded his bike and gear in his trailor and he headed home. He sore but no broken bones.

Saw Murray again today at 10am and he's good.

Dave was the guy with the shoulder breaks refer to LBs post earlier.

There is a forth guy does anyone know who. Murray didn't know of anyone else at PN hospital yesterday but I didn't ask today.

News reports I have read online are so inaccurate so wouldnt trust them.

Saw the TV3 video and cheers to the guys from Danevirke Suzuki and anyone else that carted Murray and Robs bikes off the track after the police released them.

Hope you F3 riders that where right there and others that had to witness it are feeling better as time goes on.

Owen Brunton was an inspiration to me the few times we spoke at testdays and on the day of the tragedy.