A Message From David Bailey
The topic of safety, especially focused this sharply, might make some people squirm uncomfortably. But David felt strongly enough about it that he sat up in bed throughout his message, despite recent surgery. There's no doubt that he's passionate
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glassman
11/7/2007 9:54 AM
David, Today I ordered the brace for my daughter.
I just watched and listened to your message.
I called back and ordered one for me as well.
Thank you more than you'll ever know. -
Brandon941
7/9/2007 3:50 PM
Thanks David... For that great video, I think were going to get one and Do you know if it still work if you have a chest protecter? -
SirRoostalot
6/28/2007 2:59 PM
Thank You David....your words are by far the most important amidst all of the other videos, photos and interviews on and about our sport. Though I would like to say so much, I'm going to keep it simple. Everyone should get there priorities straight and see that our health and lives are far more important then what's cool and or comfortable. So the next time you're about to spend $500 bucks on colored rims, think twice...rims
or your life. David, your the best the sport has ever had. Above and beyond lap times and wins, you are a Champion of life... -
Delaney
6/27/2007 8:59 AM
Thanks David, I'll do what I can to spread the good word about the Leatt-Brace. I have seen way too many guys with spinal injuries over the past 10 years in this industry. Thanks for your courage to do this, it makes a lot of sense. -
mrjones
6/13/2007 7:50 AM
I agree, people should look into this brace, i myself would like to have one, but the price is still a little much, 400 bucks? I would think if they really wanted to help the sport and help riders they would make it more affordable, and more riders would buy one, which alone would offset the price markdown. -
Garet Bolton
5/25/2007 8:45 AM
Dear David Bailey,
I want to take this opportunity to save "Thank You" soooooo very much for taking the time to make this video. I literally saved our son, Garet Bolton's life on May 6th, 2007 at Cooperland in Stilwater OK.
We were at Cooperland for the Ponca City Qualifer. It was a two day event. (Sat. & Sun) On Sunday during Garet's 2nd moto for the 85 class on the last lap he was going up the face of a jump. A easy jump. One he had not had trouble with at all the entire weekend. As he hit the face of the jump he hit a hole. The back of his bike flip over the front and power drove him into the ground head first. BECAUSE OF YOUR VIDEO, GARET WAS WEARING A LEATT NECK BRACE. He did break his back but there was NO SPINAL CORD INVOLVEMENT. Mr Bailey as I set here in tears, I have no words that will even start to express how grateful to you I am, Garet's Dad is, Garet's old brother is and most of all how grateful Garet is to you and his Leatt neck brace.
Late one night in Feb 2007, I watched your video and ordered two neck braces that very next morning. I had no idea I was ordering the piece of protective gear that would save my son's life on May 6th 2007 just 90 days later. I can't imagine life with out my little boy. Thank You again!! -
Jboy
5/22/2007 3:21 AM
Thanks for the message, I just started racing about a month ago, i hope to be at one of your schools this summer, and you will definentley see me with a brace on, and i will recomend it to anyone i ride with, i would like to see alot of the pros wearing them though, that would encourage a lot of riders to were them, i am ordering one today, thanks a lot -
GatorBJM
5/13/2007 2:24 AM
Thanks for the message. I'm new to the sport and have a 4 yr old that won his first race yesterday. You will be glad to know that I saw several Leatt Braces on young riders and the word is spreading. I have one on order and will let help spread the word. Good luck -
Reeseycup294
5/12/2007 3:13 PM
thanks daivid this barce is truly awsome and i am going to wear this barce for the rest of my life. It is so Great. this can save many of people from getting hurt. -
Ktm450
5/8/2007 1:53 PM
This Brace has to be the best new product to enter the dirtbike scene in many years. This brace should be on the "Must Have" item list. Dress for the worst, hope it never happens. Davids words are so true. Thumbs up to Chad Reed, KW, all the guys who already wear them. Kids do look up to you guys.
Being 41 years i was, am a huge fan of Davids, his injury was a, "could not happen to him" moment. But it does happen.
There is one thing that is a down side to this brace. The price. In the States, USA. It is'nt so bad. But here in Australia it costs $700.00 AU, for the club model. Now that will price it out of most young families reach. It is to much for me to get one. So what hope does a family have with 4 or 5 in that family riding. Outstanding idear/brace. Make it accessable to the wider rider community. Not just the rich. Can anyone tell me "why" this costs so much in Australia compared to the rest of the world. ??? -
Philpcsnss
4/20/2007 1:43 AM
my name is Phil Kuhn I Own P.C.S. Neck Support systems . I talk with Ryan Sipes after his accedent that you talk about on your video. When I was talking with him he told me that he would not be wearing the P.C.S. Neck Support , instead he would be wearing a new neck brace , But he did say that he was wearing the P.C.S Neck Support when he crashed not the leatt Brace And that he truely believe that our Neck Support helped him . I think that all safety equipment is good but to make that statement about what he was wearing sucks please find out the facts . Please responed Phil Kuhn -
Philpcsnss
4/20/2007 1:43 AM
my name is Phil Kuhn I Own P.C.S. Neck Support systems . I talk with Ryan Sipes after his accedent that you talk about on your video. When I was talking with him he told me that he would not be wearing the P.C.S. Neck Support , instead he would be wearing a new neck brace , But he did say that he was wearing the P.C.S Neck Support when he crashed not the leatt Brace And that he truely believe that our Neck Support helped him . I think that all safety equipment is good but to make that statement about what he was wearing sucks please find out the facts . Please responed Phil Kuhn -
brassdog84
4/15/2007 8:37 AM
Very inspiring David! I have been contemplating my future in this sport that I love and wondering if the risk is worth the reward. I will never advance past the 30 C class and I'm more than ok with that. The joy you get from racing with your friends at the local track is like no other but, as we all get on in years and realize this will never pay the bills, you start to look for an exit strategy. With all of the injuries we hear about and see weekly at the track or on-line you start to wonder if today is your day. We all know that as soon as you start to lose confidence or focus that is when you go down. I love to see the kids out there wearing the best protection the industry has to offer and it surprises me when I see their dad's go out with minimal equipment. It's not just the kids who need to be wearing the best in safety equipment, but the parents who insist on it as well. None of us are above the get-off that could change our lives forever. So as I sit and contemplate this sport I love so much it gives me peace of mind to know that people like you are pushing those of us that still have our "necks" on the line to "Stand for Something". Great video, I'll be getting one as soon as they are off of back-order. Thanks again David -
MotoMom
4/4/2007 5:36 AM
David,
Thank you soooo much! Your message comes from your heart. I have to tell you, this made me cry. I am a mother of twin 15 year olds who race motocross. Their father and I are in the medical field and truly believe YOU made the difference. We thought, we had everything covered, head to toe. Since their father showed me your video, we have purchased the Leatt Braces, and we are very happy we did. The kids wear them all of the time. Happy Easter!
Anna -
biblebob
3/21/2007 3:15 AM
David
Thank You for the your message from the heart, I raced last weekend and wore a Leatt Brace in an Oldtimers MX Race at LACR and I Loved it.
God Bless You for standing for the cause I know God is well pleased with your actions.
Bless You and Your Family -
sfischetti
2/25/2007 10:28 AM
David,
I would like to thankyou.
I became a real fan of motorcross after watching you in 1986. Back then, My friends and I would rent the race videos and watch them over and over. There were a lot of great riders but you were the best. My friends and I rode in the local sand pits and did some racing but we never took protection seriously. We rode with no gear at all (sometimes with no shirts and in sneakers) until your crash. When we read about your injuries, we all had the same thought - if this can happen to the smoothest, most talented rider on the planet - it can happen to us. We all started to wear every protective item that was available. I was thankful for this change on more than one occasion. Every time I got (or still get) into a crash and my gear saves me, I think of you and why I started to wear protective gear. Now that I am a father, I ride a lot safer and even slower than before. I will purchase one of these neck braces for myself and if my son ever decides to ride when he gets old enough - he will wear one also.
I also still ride Hondas because that was your brand.
Hats off to Kevin Windham for wearing a neckbrace and hopefully more riders will follow.
The riders that are in the spotlight can have a lasting impact on their fans.
Thanks again for everything
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brraaaaaph
2/24/2007 12:46 AM
David...
YOU RULE!
I have two boys. 7 and 4 and they both ride... I WILL LOOK INTO THIS BRACE FOR MYSELF AND THEM... I WILL WEAR AT LOCAL AMATEUR AND PROMOTE THIS BRACE!!!
I Had the oppurtunity to go to Gary Bailey school of motocross at Lake Sugartree 1983... My hub broke and you just got your car liscence and took me to a local shop to get it welded so I could finish the school...
I KNEW THEN THAT YOU WERE A "STAND UP" MAN!!! THE NICEST GUY IVE MET!
I have always been a huge fan of YOU and now....... EVEN A BIGGER FAN..... It makes me very upset everytime someone gets a life altering injury... I WILL TAKE A STAND..... even if its small..... HOPEFULLY I CAN EFFECT ONE PERSON.
thanks for what your doing!
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Jennbaeta
2/17/2007 2:16 AM
David,
Thank you SO MUCH for this video.
My husband and I both had severe motorcycle accidents in September of 2006, different incidents, two weeks apart. Mine was a dirt tracking accident and I took a headshot that literally cracked the side of my helmet. My injuries were extensive. I share this information because it hits home. We forget how vulnerable we are.
THANK YOU for bringing awareness to the table, for helping to educate, and for opening the topic up for discussion. All of us in the motorcycle community appreciate your efforts, and your work to bring this to attention. Thank you for standing up for all of us. -
ESilegren
2/16/2007 11:39 PM
I think I might be the first MX Wife commenting on the video...my husband asked me to watch this clip and I'm SO GLAD HE DID! Thank you David Bailey for stepping up! I hadn't heard of any kind of brace that protected the one part that every MX wife, girlfriend, bother, mother, boyfriend...etc worries about. I know I'm not the only one to say my heart literally stops when you notice your significant other or your friend didn't come around the track once, twice...three times...(even if it's only happened once before) and it's as if life stops until you can
see for yourself what happened.
I know this brace isn't going to stop all injuries, but I gotta tell ya, it certainly brings A LOT of comfort to those watching you guys ride. Nobody likes to see somebody go down hard, whether you know them or not, so let's push to see this brace made mandatory! I know its expensive, but who would put a price on their life...or on their mobility. I think David's made it clear enough that no price is worth leaving you unprotected.
If there's anything we can do to 'untie' the hands of people who can make this brace a necessity, let us know.
With all sincerity,
Eerika Silegren -
hodges567
2/16/2007 11:11 AM
To: Dr. Leatt, Riders, Parents and Sponsors:
Hello, my name is Mitchell Hodges. I am writing this with a heavy
heart. At the urgency of a great friend, Paul Mundt, I watched the
David Bailey video. I was virtually in tears. Let me give you a brief
history of myself. I grew up living next door to David and the rest of
the Bailey family in Axton, VA. I was 10 years old when David was
national champion, as well as a riding partner, coach and friend. I
was devastated at David%u2019s injury in 1987. I still see the film clip in
my head of him in the halo squeezing a tennis ball, giving thumbs up,
then his return home and seeing him for the first time in a wheel
chair.
Over the next few years I went on to become David%u2019s father, Gary %u2019s
instructor at the Gary Bailey Motocross School in Axton VA, as well as
a top pro rider riding for Kawasaki Team Green. Shortly after turning
pro, I got injured at an outdoor national at Mt. Morris PA. I walked
away from the sport I loved, to heal up, to get an education and to
setup myself up for a future. It was a tough pill to swallow, but I
had to come to the realization that I was not the next Ricky
Carmichael.
Ten years later, Tim Buffaloe at BSY Yamaha gave me an opportunity to
ride for them. I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart. My
desire never died and now, more than ever, it consumes me. I am again
teaching MX schools, teaching kids how to ride safely and responsibly.
With that being said, I cannot turn my back on all of these spinal
injuries, especially after seeing my personal inspiration calling out
the heaviest hitters this sport has ever known. Great job David, as if
your spot in history is not already carved in stone.
I see in the magazines and on the web pages; Leatt does ride days in
California. I respectfully request a ride day on the east coast, the
southwest and the northwest. We all need to be a part of this growth
and safety for our comrades and their loved ones, not just California.
I will contact my local tracks; setup a time to have a ride day in my
area. Budd%u2019s Creek, Lake Sugar Tree, the Virginia Motorsports Park
would all be receptive to this I am quite sure. I will meet with
company representatives or whomever to set this up. We do not need to
see anymore-unneeded injuries, cripple or kill anyone else.
As an instructor, I am obligated to teach my students, the proper
techniques to make them better riders. As of today, in honor of my
hero, David Bailey, I am going to insist to riders and parents that my
schools purchase a Leatt brace, and hold off on the latest go fast
product until they are properly dressed for the ride. Even if they
don%u2019t crash often, at least they will be better prepared when, not if
they crash. I encourage other track owners and sponsors to request
ride days also. Let%u2019s keep this ball rolling before we lose someone
else.
Respectfully,
Mitchell Hodges
#567 -
JGill624
2/14/2007 12:49 PM
Hi, David
That Video is GREAT I am with on this issue I believe that it is time to change like you, I believe the bike or so fast now tracks are getting crazy and it is crazy not to just try it (the brace). I will come take the stock car device it took awhile but it is there. It has been awhile in our sport and I believe it is TIME!!!!!! Thanks. P.S I would like some info on the brace if some one can send to me -
hodges567
2/14/2007 6:48 AM
Hey David,
Its been a really long time...Its Mitchell Hodges "little Mitch" from Axton. I just wanted to take a minute to say how much I appreciate, respect, and idolize you. I really didn't understand as a 10 year old boy, and as your neighbor, what and who you are. You are truely an inspiration to those who know you, to those like myself, who knew you, and those who are up and coming even after 20 years of being off of a bike.
I am now 30years old and get emotional when I think about how you and your family inspired me as a child and even more so as an adult. You are the BEST on and off of the track--even after 20 years. I thought after watching the video that I needed to let you know my thoughts...Thanks for being an incredible roll model, a great friend, and an inspiration for all.
Sincerely,
Mitchell -
2stroketimkx250
2/14/2007 12:44 AM
David- thanks for sharing.....I get crap all the time for wearing safety gear...I think that safety of this type should be mandatory, something like the HANS device. What is it going to take? -
koandabob
2/13/2007 2:05 PM
http://www.leatt-brace.com
Wonder what's going to happen in San Diego? Bunch of men stepping up? -
JenL
2/13/2007 7:30 AM
i think the most important point david brings up is that the AMA needs to stop focusing so hard on the way the riders display their numbers, logos & graphics and start recognizing more important issues like rider safety...so much of the sport is preventative maintenance and improvement on the bikes, they need to dedicate as much if not more attention to preventing injuries..
Great video David!! -
antman325
2/13/2007 7:21 AM
just do a search for Leatt Brace but hurry, I'm sure they are about to be backlogged. We love you David and thanks for looking out. -
jdwhite
2/12/2007 6:11 AM
Great Comments, My son Brandon suffered a Basal Skull Fracture and a Traumatic Brain Injury on Feb 25/06 here in Lake Mary Fl. He was life flighted off the track and was unconsious for 4 days. He has had a full recovery and started racing again in May/06. I truly believe that after seeing this brace in person that his injury would not have been as severe if this brace had been available. No child should ride without it ! I will order 2 today, thanks again for standing up for whats right, not good looking.
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