Fuck!

[steveyb]

2012 ASBK season starts in tragedy
-- By Trevor Hedge

The 2012 Australian Superbike season started in tragedy today at Phillip Island.

During the opening race of the 2012 ASBK season, featuring the combined Supersport and Superstock 600 categories, a huge crash unfolded only a few laps into the race, involving Mackay Kawasaki’s Luke Burgess, fellow Queenslander Oscar McIntyre (Yamaha), and Oallen (near Goulburn, NSW), rider Michael Lockart.

From what can be ascertained with the limited information available at this time, and subject to a coroner's investigation and thus not to be treated as fact; the incident unfolded after Oscar McIntyre crashed a few laps in to the race. His Yamaha continued on at turn one and ran across the infield all the way down to turn three, where it careered across the circuit as other riders were navigating the fast 200km/h + turn three; causing havoc.

Unfortunately 17-year-old McIntyre succumbed to the injuries sustained in the crash and was pronounced deceased at the circuit. Both Burgess and Lockart have been receiving treatment in the circuit's medical centre. Burgess has now been released while Lockart is still being treated for non life-threatening injuries.

Condolences to all those close to young Oscar and his family.

The incident put a halt to today's proceedings at the opening round of the Superbike World Championship today with Superpole cancelled and thus the grid will be decided on earlier qualifying sessions. Supersport qualifying is scheduled to now commence at 1705 local time.

[jrandom]

[rachprice]

Is it just me or has there been such an unlucky run of racing deaths in the past couple of years?

[trustme]

Isn't every racing death unlucky ?? It is still a hell of a lot safer than the 50's & 60's

[Punchy]

The fact that it is a lot safer than 'back in the day' is what makes such a terrible run so noticeable.
Sucks, hard.

[tigertim20]

well fuck.
thats a real shame. RIP to the deceased rider.

[malcy25]

Is bloody hard to get from Turn 1 to 3 (like really hard, I wouldn't say impossible as that has been proven to be not, today)....is a long way through gravel traps etc.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Isn't every racing death unlucky ?? It is still a hell of a lot safer than the 50's & 60's

Think you'll find she's meaning we've had a bad run of it lately. R.I.P young fella.

[Duke girl]

Not what we expect to hear at the Opening of the World Superbikes for 2012.
So young and yet doing what he enjoyed doing.
Condolences to everyone who knew him both on and off the track and especially to his Family & Friends.
RIP Oscar.

[quickbuck]

Yes, a very long way from 1 to 3..... But none the less, tragically Oscar managed to do it.... Or so the scetchy reports suggest at this time.

Regardless of facts and sppectualtion, RIP Oscar. Sure taken too soon, and condolences to friends and family.

[Clivoris]

Sucks a big one.

[jaffaonajappa]

It was on the 2nd lap....but yeah, sketchy reports so far.
But at the 2nd lap....didnt think there'd be a huuuge gap. which turn one to turn three is...especially when arghhh. never mind.

RIP Oscar.

[Marknz]

very hard to do alright... they put a massive sand-trap in at the end of the straight/outside of T1 to stop just that, and there is a ditch that the bike would have to go through and come out the other side of. Alas, it seems that it has happened and PI will have to look at their track layout once again. I haven't read any 'facts' yet that state that the young fella was still with the bike when it came back on track, gyroscopic forces could have sent the bike on its own travels. Regardless, RIP Oscar and I hope the other lads involved heal quick.

It's a nasty game we play

[Shaun]

RIP to Oscar and respect to his fellow young competitors for getting back out there today and going for it, just he would have

[pritch]

Is bloody hard to get from Turn 1 to 3 (like really hard, I wouldn't say impossible as that has been proven to be not, today)....is a long way through gravel traps etc.

Not really, IIRC it's just a short run across the grass. No gravel traps at all. Some riders lay the bike down to avoid rejoining the pack at a right angle as it exits turn 2. Biaggi went straight on and rejoined yesterday.

I was pissed off at the commentators who referred to "an incident" causing Super Pole to be cancelled but didn't give any details. The first mention was one of the riders holding up a sign "Fly with the angels Oscar McIntyre". Next mention I heard was Marco Melandri offering condolences to family and friends after the first race.