Serious question. Has anyone ever died from a bucket crash?

[Ixion]

Seriously.

As I grow older, I find myself having to confront the question of retirement. That is , of having an extra 80 hours a week or so to fill in. And what to do with that time (I was supposed to retire two years ago, I managed to avoid that, but I don't suppose I can avoid it forever)


Mrs Ixion has vetoed my first response , of settling down at the pub for 80 hours a week

So, my next suggestion was "I'll get a bucket and go racing". Met with "You are an old fool but I prefer you a live old fool, you will die if you try to race anything"

So, has anyone ever died , or been seriously, permanently, injured bucket racing in NZ?

My perception is that it is a pastime of many spills, many minor "Oh shit Oh ouch" injuries, but never naything really serious.

Am I right? Or deluded?

[naphazoline]

What's the sort of top speeds of this class of racing?
I'd imagine that might have some sort of bearing on the severity of possible injuries.

[AllanB]

I recommend getting one of those seriously big buckets. You know the ones that the council use to plant really large movable trees in.

That way when you cut the leg and arm holes in them there will be plenty of extra room offering added protection in the event of a fall while running. Less chance of injury.

Bucket races - ha, hours of fun, and even better on a slope.

[riffer]

I've not heard of anyone dying from a bucket crash.

But if we ended up with senior bucket racing, the sport could go the same way as that heinously dangerous lawn bowls.

[Sully60]

What's the sort of top speeds of this class of racing?
I'd imagine that might have some sort of bearing on the severity of possible injuries.

Depends on the track and bike, Ruapuna and Puke, between 125-140 km/h (I suspect there are faster machines like the KV100 I rode this year that might touch 100mph geared and ridden correctly) most kart tracks 85-90 km/h if your lucky, carparks even slower.

You're also right about the injuires, but when there's no sudden stop velocity can be helpful, it's a trajectory thing. Sometimes a lowspeed highside results in a high energy crunch.

To answer Ixion, none in my realtively short time racing, ask F5Dave or Speedpro,they've been racing buckets since the cretaceous period

[Skunk]

I have never heard of anyone dying... I've talked to a few of the 'near original bucketeers' and none have mentioned more than mild broken bones.

Speedpro and F5 Dave or Pickle would have a good idea.

[Buckets4Me]

do what most the old guys do and tinker constantly with the bike
that will fill 90 hours a week
then when you go and race it you have an excuse as to why you didn't win
I havent finished it yet
or that didn't work I'll have to go back and ask more questions
but remeber it's a sport where you never stop working on the bike
even if it is only to get it going at the track

it just right for a retired guy and you don't have to fall off

[speedpro]

The very rare fire, broken bones if you wallop something hard enough, bruises, twisted knees,ankles,shoulders ,etc, the odd bump on the head. That's about it. If you have a bit of time to laze around the next week it's all good. Really good gear is a big help. Not falling off is even better.

[Usarka]

If you fell off you could kick the bucket.

[rainman]

I was supposed to retire two years ago, I managed to avoid that, but I don't suppose I can avoid it forever

I'm confused. Is this according to some early retirement plan or are you an old bugger cunningly disguised as, well, a not so old bugger?

[TZ350]

Seriously.

As I grow older, I find myself having to confront the question of retirement. That is , of having an extra 80 hours a week or so to fill in. And what to do with that time (I was supposed to retire two years ago, I managed to avoid that, but I don't suppose I can avoid it forever)


Mrs Ixion has vetoed my first response , of settling down at the pub for 80 hours a week

So, my next suggestion was "I'll get a bucket and go racing". Met with "You are an old fool but I prefer you a live old fool, you will die if you try to race anything"

So, has anyone ever died , or been seriously, permanently, injured bucket racing in NZ?

My perception is that it is a pastime of many spills, many minor "Oh shit Oh ouch" injuries, but never naything really serious.

Am I right? Or deluded?

Mt Wellington max 90K's more or less. Many offs very few injuries.

What track would you be racing at????

I am an old fart, not hurt myself yet, don't expect too either.

[Gremlin]

Pass on the death question, I think the main issue for you will be recovering from any offs. When ya yung 'n dum, you bounce. When ya old and haffs a zimmerframe, you go splat instead.

[Ixion]

Bugger that. I am fat. I go boing-boing. Also, my modus operandi is not to fall off. And I is an irritating old bugger cunningly disguised as an obnoxious old bugger.

[gijoe1313]

Ahh so life's rich tapestry has deigned to give you part of it to weave now? I recall seeing you on the pavement parked good and proper like, answering the celly (modern day humbug nonsense!)

Even had time to wave back to me after a melodiously tootle of mein Hornet horn.

I dare say you are still in the prime of your motorcycling career, this new adventure and undertaking of yours I shall gleefully follow. After all, it's all just a bit o'harmless fun innit?

Your missus knows you well, I would add that she still doesn't know what she's in for!

Ride on you rough diamond, keep blazing a trail for us young'uns to follow!

[Kickaha]

So, has anyone ever died , or been seriously, permanently, injured bucket racing in NZ?

My perception is that it is a pastime of many spills, many minor "Oh shit Oh ouch" injuries, but never naything really serious.

Am I right? Or deluded?

In the 10 years+ I've been both racing and on the fringes of Bucket racing down here , I broke both a wrist and an ankle in seperate seasons, and there were two broken collar bones and a major concussion that I can remember

There would probably be at least one or two "off" at every meeting but that is no worse than any other race class I have observed or participated in