Posts
48
Joined
11/27/2012
Location
Manakin Sabot, VA, USA
Edited Date/Time
11/28/2012 4:28pm
Typically I just read the race shop and photo/video post but now I'm posting.
This year, particularly the past few months in my A.M.A. district, injuries have become increasingly severe and more frequent than from what I've ever seen before. (I realize this sounds like a re-post)
On the local circuit there were two deaths racing related in the spring, and two riders were just paralyzed within the last 3 weeks. One was on a start at Lake Sugartree MX (The Gary Bailey MX School track), and another on a low flying step-up at Actiontown MX in Dillwyn, VA.
Following the severe crashes in this past year's Supercross and the recent tragic events at Mini-O's, it seems that there is a lack of concern for safety by either the riders or promoters. Fingers are pointed but in reality, there isn't one, single thing to be listed as the main cause of the increase in injuries.
If you take out the big jumps on a track that leaves long straightaways that would be almost as dangerous if a high or low side.
You might say there should be some rollers or whoops to slow their speed. That would be just of much of a problem when they get beat out or when someone fishtails through the section.
If you slow the bikes down we'll grow towards a NASCAR regulation that evens the competition and reduces the competitiveness of teams and companies to a minimum, while also rising prices on special made equipment and parts to pass regulation (i.e. F.I.M. noise restrictions to an extent) making things virtually impossible on a lone rider or privateer.
The best possible alternative is to add more corners but I have a feeling that won't happen with a growing media and the desire to have high flying jumps and obstacles for TV, internet, and occasional magazine covers.
What I would like to see and what I think should happen is an expansion in the safety and protection industry, with the A.M.A. (or what ever the sanctioning body that is in charge) promoting companies such as Leatt, Alpinestars, Shoei, Arai, or Gaerne rather than Toyota or Monster Energy. In the amateur levels, I think some of the larger races (Loretta's, Oak Hill, Mammoth MX, Mini-O's, etc.) should require some form of protection of the neck.
This is only my opinion and I'm neither stating that riders or tracks are to blame but instead suggesting an expansion in safety.
This year, particularly the past few months in my A.M.A. district, injuries have become increasingly severe and more frequent than from what I've ever seen before. (I realize this sounds like a re-post)
On the local circuit there were two deaths racing related in the spring, and two riders were just paralyzed within the last 3 weeks. One was on a start at Lake Sugartree MX (The Gary Bailey MX School track), and another on a low flying step-up at Actiontown MX in Dillwyn, VA.
Following the severe crashes in this past year's Supercross and the recent tragic events at Mini-O's, it seems that there is a lack of concern for safety by either the riders or promoters. Fingers are pointed but in reality, there isn't one, single thing to be listed as the main cause of the increase in injuries.
If you take out the big jumps on a track that leaves long straightaways that would be almost as dangerous if a high or low side.
You might say there should be some rollers or whoops to slow their speed. That would be just of much of a problem when they get beat out or when someone fishtails through the section.
If you slow the bikes down we'll grow towards a NASCAR regulation that evens the competition and reduces the competitiveness of teams and companies to a minimum, while also rising prices on special made equipment and parts to pass regulation (i.e. F.I.M. noise restrictions to an extent) making things virtually impossible on a lone rider or privateer.
The best possible alternative is to add more corners but I have a feeling that won't happen with a growing media and the desire to have high flying jumps and obstacles for TV, internet, and occasional magazine covers.
What I would like to see and what I think should happen is an expansion in the safety and protection industry, with the A.M.A. (or what ever the sanctioning body that is in charge) promoting companies such as Leatt, Alpinestars, Shoei, Arai, or Gaerne rather than Toyota or Monster Energy. In the amateur levels, I think some of the larger races (Loretta's, Oak Hill, Mammoth MX, Mini-O's, etc.) should require some form of protection of the neck.
This is only my opinion and I'm neither stating that riders or tracks are to blame but instead suggesting an expansion in safety.
FLAGGERS:
Increasing the quantity and quality of flaggers should be mandated. Research into what color of caution
flags can be more easily visible, with all flaggers outfitted with “referee” style black and white jerseys,
exploiting the opportunity to be better noticed. All flaggers should undergo, at minimum, a two –hour
session on proper flagging technique and, any pertinent local promoter safety information, that’s
deemed essential.
*Note, current yellow caution flags often blend in with background dirt- color, making visibility difficult.
TRACKS:
Should be slowed down with an increased amount of corners and hills. As the trend towards faster and
better suspended bikes has made obstacles not so much of a speed reduction measure. Jump landings
need to be more forgiving, whenever possible. “Supercross” style obstacles should be severely limited
at motocross events. “Blind” jumps need to be discouraged.
RIDERS SAFETY COMMITTEE:
A ten person panel of racers should be assembled at every contest, consisting of ten randomly picked
riders that are participating at that event. These assembled will discuss with the promoter and the
officials any concerns they have regarding track safety, before the first practice session commences
The Shop
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
Look at Tomac's right side number plate. His mechanic obviously cut that rat tail off after moto 1 with a $3 exacto knife instead of installing a new piece of plastic and graphics like a professional.
That and he left the fucking bars off.
Seems the 110ft triple step ups and such should be more a concern.
Go straight to 1:15 where shit gets real.
https://youtu.be/KwtIIbkfX80
Even if it isn't, that shouldn't be a problem we have...
Same with Swap's incident...
at least the trees in the friggin photo has something on them. how many times have i seen or gone to races where there is nothing at all on those kinds of obstacles.
hell lets park a boat and a truck out in the middle of the track. no one will ever hit it........ lets not even talk about mules, quads etc that are being operated by medical not paying attention.
Saran Wrap, ...........I can clearly see you're nuts.
As a Highway Designer, someone who always keeps clear zone in mind for motorists, here is what I will say about that tree. You can't fix stupid.
Mini O's is to the piont where it is too large of an event to hold in one week and do proper maintenance. I think they should hold the SX event in the fall and the MX in the spring.
Track maintenance won't stop accidents from happening but it sure can help keep some from happening. Especially on the faces and landings of the jumps which is generally the areas that get the most dangerous.
My personal opinion puts more emphasis on the individual. I don't disagree with the suggestions or complaints here. However, what I still see is an Industry that shys away from scientific testing in regard to personal protection, so what you do get is a bunch of garbage that's nothing more than a guesstimate. Why? Becasue the bottom line is more important than safety. Motocross chest protectors are a great example. I know there are those that will swear by their chest pro but from my standpoint those aren't meant for anything but deflecting roost. My get-off's will turn one of those into shrapnel in a heartbeat!
The EU- or Europen Union has actual testing standards available for personal protection; body armor, motorcycle gloves (street) and so on. Just like helmets or air bags, repeated scientific testing is how good products, become great products. Or LIFE Changing products.
For example;
T-Pro body armor- a company that I admire for it's aggressive pursuit of impact protection. They have a product capable of preventing bone breakage from a 50kn impact. Without getting into it in detail..
The Leatt chest protector is certified to En1621-2; the passing result for level 2 is 9 KN (don't worry about what kn means exactly)
The T-Pro is a SUB 4KN product. So without knowing anything specific KN info., we know the Leatt scored with a 9kn transmission level and the T-pro beat it by MORE THAN HALF!
If it was a helmet, I don't think anyone here would wonder which was the better product!
Yet, how many of you have heard of T-Pro?
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