Pukekohe Raceway fatal crash (9 March)

[scott411]

Thanks for what you did, Speedie, and for reassuring the rest of us.
RIP

X 2

RIP guys, my best goes out ot your family an freinds

and to the track staff and crew that saw it, my best to you guys as well, its not a nice situation to be caught in,

[sAsLEX]

If anyone needs to talk abut it, get in touch with me, have all our ambo/police/victim support that are willing to help people through dealing with it all.. especially those on point 4 that saw it... ie LilSel.

And dont forget some of the racers that came through and saw it as well.

[Cache Wraith]

[MuzzaRR]

Hi... I know several 600 supersport riders quite well and I have been calling everyone I know to find out who the two casualties are. I was testing with them on Friday but wasn't there today. This is obviously a real shock and if I know them I want to pass on my condolences accordingly.

Can you please advise the names if you know... PM or email me thanks!

Murray

[sparky10]

Watching you enjoying your racing brought us so much pleasure, now we endure the pain of your loss, our thoughts to your familys and close friends.

RIP

[kickingzebra]

Much respect to all involved.
Something within me is glad to have missed out on this race weekend,
Been nice racing you lads.
May the Lord bless you, keep you, and make his face to shine on you.

[MadDuck]

Was my first time at the track in years just to watch and not be involved in the pits.

Nothing I can say on here feels right and as I walked through the pits to hear the story unfold I just felt kind of numb. To the guys and gals that were on the scene to help...I cant imagine what you are going through.

To the families of the two lost I offer my heart felt condolances.

[mynameis]

TV 3 News Coverage for those who want to see it :

Click Here

[LilSel]

ie LilSel.

Thanks matey *hugs*

[toebug]

To the riders RIP and condolences to the family and friends

[Morcs]

Rest and ride in peace.

-Pete

[Dutchee]

RIP you two fellas.

Yeah I was there, saw the whole thing about to happen and could do nothing to warn ***** as the tragedy unfolded in front of me.
We were in the ambulance and trackside with the two of them in about 20 seconds. I'm so sorry that there was nothing we could do more for you two boys.

If it makes any difference to anyone that knows them, they didnt suffer at all.

RIP

We were by pit entrance and as soon as we saw your wagon, knew it was serious. I was stunned to see a second turn up. Last time I went to watch NZ racing (except Paeroa), I remember the waits while a 2nd ambo was despatched to replace the one taking someone to hospital.
It was obviously fatal (esp. when the police turned up), and as for saying it should have been put over the PA system, please have some sensitivity to the racers' friends/teams that were there. If you walked about the pits, you would've felt the subdued atmosphere.
I didn't hear anyone bitching about not knowing what was going on (either in the pits or in the grandstand, where we headed off to during the break).
I thought it was handled well, and that the crowd was fantastic.
That was a hard day. I did think about going home to do other things, but each time would hear over the PA system that it was getting closer to racing than not.
Well done to those competing in such tough conditions.
RIP to our fallen riders, you will be missed. To the teams and families - sincere condolences. I can't imagine what you're going through right now, but the community is with you in spirit and please talk to the necessary people.
Speedie, I don't know what to say, except thank you and I don't envy your job.
To the organisers, I think you did a great job today.

[Teambwr47]

Sad to say but racing will go on despite this terrible terrible tragedy.

My thoughts go out to those members of the involved families and all those who had to deal with this incident today.

I've experienced the same situation in the UK when a friend died at a meeting and that meeting was stopped completely. I vividly remember the upset of the time and how it affected all the members of the organising body on the day with many in tears.

Today i briefly spoke to a female member of the AMCC who is part of the team who runs the meeting and while she put on a brave face, behind the sun glasses there was obvious and understandable upset. Quite how the team involved managed to complete the meeting i do not know but i hope they have plenty of loving support at home tonight as i know they will be hurting.

Why we all do this sport is brought very very sharply into focus when this type of incident happens and its made me assess whether i want to be back out there but similar incidents always do.

One small crumb of comfort is that the riders involved died doing what they loved in sport.

[scrivy]

Puke gives me the shits!! I've seen/heard/been told of horrible accidents there. I don't know why we don't race at Taupo. Be done with Puke.
Unfortunately, the nature of this crash could have happened at damn near any other track in NZ.
I was numbed by what happened, but had to go out in the very next race in Sidecars. I was ok at first in the dummy grid, until my passenger told me some of the horrible details. I just wanted to vomit. I still feel absolutely sick.
I still don't know who they were yet, but as I sit here typing this, all I'd like to do right now is just give their families a great big hug!
Really, really sad news.
Makes you take stock of your own life - Gave both my kids at the track a big cuddle when I initially heard the news. Didn't help them, but made me feel better.

Scrivy

[Teambwr47]

One other thing---

To all those involved on an 'official' level, DO make sure you talk about the matter to wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, parent or whoever.

My job used to be dealing with fatal road crashes day in day out and family liaison, its important NOT to bottle up any thoughts or feelings in relation to an incident such as this.

DON'T underestimate the affect it can have on you and your families and use any help offered.

Take care all.