Riders Fatally Injured at Road America Trackday

Motopilot · 06-18-2006, 8:12 PM

Track Rider Fatally Injured At Road America News Article // RoadracingWorld.com

Awfully tragic.

Anyone hear about this?

CBR929RE · 06-18-2006, 8:16 PM

damn that sucks, sorry to hear. my best goes to his family and friends.

CBRVFR · 06-18-2006, 8:56 PM

Very sad. Godspeed.

I hate when this happens on a track day. I constantly remind myself it's not a race. We have to leave something in reserve, or our family and friends bear the weight.

Getsome · 06-18-2006, 9:09 PM

Very sad to hear.

Mojave954 · 06-18-2006, 9:20 PM

RIP and heart felt sorrow to his survivors.

Zippy · 06-18-2006, 9:28 PM

Yes, I have heard. Very sad event indeed. He had a very unlucky fall and suffered severe head trauma. Road America is just an hour from my house, and I had just ridden there a day or two before. I rode several track days right around this time, with this tragic event sandwiched inbetween.

We suffered another loss of life caused by an accident at another local track last year. Rest in peace, Shannon. Shannon was a regular at my club's track days.

It is sure hard to take these. I hope there are no more for a long long time.

Zeeman · 06-18-2006, 9:36 PM

that is tragic, and I too wish the best for his family and friends.

Z...

DEPO · 06-18-2006, 9:48 PM

Sorry to hear this not good news.

I have always thought, because I like to watch in Canada Corner, if someone were to lose control would Billy Mitchel become a deadly contact spot. Hence why RA is on the defense already.

Also a question, what type of liability if any does Monte have in a situation like this? Waiver or No Waiver.....? Because I would hate to see any track day group be sued unless there was negligence.

Hammer · 06-18-2006, 10:41 PM

Depo, it is not whether he has some sort of liability it is who has the best attourney. Th ecourts are filled with this type of nonsence. We all take the risk of being injured or killed when we trrow a leg over a machine with 150hp that can sustain 175+mph on a track with 20 like minded individuals. It is sad when it happens but we all take and accept this risk. I look at it this way, he died what he enjoyed doing.

monkey · 06-18-2006, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEPO

Sorry to hear this not good news.

I have always thought, because I like to watch in Canada Corner, if someone were to lose control would Billy Mitchel become a deadly contact spot. Hence why RA is on the defense already.

Also a question, what type of liability if any does Monte have in a situation like this? Waiver or No Waiver.....? Because I would hate to see any track day group be sued unless there was negligence.

i'm not 100 percent sure about monte, but most track day organizers have you sign your life away before you can even unload your bike, so i would doubt if there's any liability here.

jetbdude · 06-18-2006, 11:14 PM

That sucks BIG TIME, hate to see that happen on a track day. RIP

gt702 · 06-19-2006, 9:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monkey

i'm not 100 percent sure about monte, but most track day organizers have you sign your life away before you can even unload your bike, so i would doubt if there's any liability here.

To Hammer's point, it depends on how good your attorney is and what they can convince the courts and/or jury of. Organizers have been screwed before. I would expect Monte to be fully aware and take the steps needed to protect himself ... including a good lawyer of his own.

Really sad to hear of these stories, but as noted, it is a risk we all assume ... whether on the track or road ... on a motorcycle, in the car, walking on the street, or taking a shower in the morning. It is our responsibility to minimize the risks and manage the situation as best we can ... but there is always some level of risk that is out of our control ... and that is what they call life.

Zippy · 06-19-2006, 9:27 AM

It didn't happen to have anything to do with the corner. There was no rider impact with the wall under the bridge. The rider hit the track surface hard, but from what I have read, never contacted the wall. This could have happened in any corner. It was well past Canada (turn 12) and up under the Billy Mitchell bridge. It was moist and a little foggy/misty, and the track was not dry there due to the bridge keeping the sunlight from hitting the track. The riders are often warned about that condition, and I hear they were warned just before the event started. There are usually some spots on any track where the traction is better or worse than other places, so that is not unusual.

Peace to all his loved ones.

Red Rider · 06-19-2006, 11:02 AM

So sad. I understand he had just got back on the track after taking some time off from riding track days...

jamilrahman · 06-20-2006, 2:50 PM

That is so sad to hear.

It says he died of head trauma. Was his helmet fastened properly, and if so what kind of helmet was it??

My friend highsided violently yesterday at Shannonville Motorsports, and landed straight on his head/shoulder. The Arai helmet he had on definatly did its job, as he got away with a broken collar-bone only.

Zippy · 06-20-2006, 5:06 PM

I don't know. A helmet doesn't absolutely prevent such trauma, and the brand probably doesn't matter. It was probably a matter of luck. It would be interesting to know, but I'm not sure I ever find out such details.

clutchslip · 06-20-2006, 10:22 PM

Best wishes to his family. Boy, our loved ones put-up with a lot, don't they?
Pal, where ever you are - better this way than getting tagged by a cager. RIP