Kato accident from 2003

nhfirefighter13 · 05-27-2006, 4:04 PM

I happened to be looking at a photo of Kato that I have in my office just a few minutes ago and couldn't recall what year he had crashed at Suzuka. April 6, 2003, in fact, slightly over 3 years ago.

Anyway, I came across an amature video of the crash itself. I recall that none of the tv coverage would (or could) show the crash itself so this is the first time I have been able to catch any of it.

Knowing that Kato died as a result of this accident, I hope it's not in poor taste to put up a link to it (it's a real player link

) but I'd never seen it before so watch at your own risk (it's quite clear about how his injuries were caused but it's not what I would call "graphic".)

http://www.lmsports.ru/images/kato_crash.rm

jetbdude · 05-27-2006, 4:34 PM

WOW, not a real safe corner entry... I guess motogp made their homework after that?

nhfirefighter13 · 05-27-2006, 9:13 PM

I never really paid much attention to the fact but they haven't run a GP race there since that happened because of that corner.

Gecko5 · 05-30-2006, 10:50 AM

Suzuka was suppose to be making some changes so they could host a GP event again. But, I have not heard anything about it in year or so.

stegen · 05-30-2006, 1:50 PM

someone find it in something other than Real Player

Crash · 05-30-2006, 2:38 PM

I remember that race vividly. I recall watching the corner workers handle his body. I pisses me off to this day to see that video of them manhandling him. No restraints or anything and they just grab his arms and legs and drag him onto the dirt behind the barriers. Truly horrific to watch because you feel that he might not be dead until they just grab him like a doll. I understand that he was in the racing line, but he was clearly messed up as a result of the inital impact and they should've red flagged it immediately.

On a side note, Has anyone else who has Tourist Trophy for PS2 noticed that the Honda CBR 1000 Race Version you use in the license test is number 74? Kind of fitting that sony would do that.

dattaway · 05-30-2006, 3:22 PM

http://www.dattaway.org/kato.avi

Gecko5 · 06-01-2006, 12:14 PM

Sony also put a Kato Shoei helmet in TT too.

One thing I think about is what would have happened to Sete if Kato was still racing today. Kato was the number one rider for Fausto Gresini's team. Would Sete be as good as he is or was during the 03 and 04 seasons with Honda.

Crash · 06-02-2006, 3:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gecko5

Sony also put a Kato Shoei helmet in TT too.

One thing I think about is what would have happened to Sete if Kato was still racing today. Kato was the number one rider for Fausto Gresini's team. Would Sete be as good as he is or was during the 03 and 04 seasons with Honda.

No, he wouldn't have had the oppurtunity to ride the spec bike that Gresini had for Kato. Kato was Japan's Favorite Son and had he not been killed, Sete wouldn't have been able to challenge Rossi like he did for two years.