Statement from Rich Taylor (LACR Lawsuit)

50dippin
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6/5/2024 3:20pm
yak651 wrote:
Exactly, I wouldn’t give a second thought to racing a track with a berm like that. I raced in the early 90s when every jump was...

Exactly, I wouldn’t give a second thought to racing a track with a berm like that. I raced in the early 90s when every jump was peaked, and the landing was more so. I would consider living through that way more sketchy than the berm shown. Can those that ride it that claim it was a cliff provide a pic that shows something different than what we’ve been provided so far? Surely there has to be more to this cliff berm than we are being shown??!

It was made probably 3/4 the way down the hill so while the berm itself was probably only 6-7 feet tall on the track side, it was probably 10-15 feet tall on the back side and depending on how far you launch it the drop gets taller.  

Other than completely flattening it which would make that the most off camber turn in moto history the only thing they could have done would have been to axe that section of the track, or maybe added a single to slow people down, but then again you could launch off that too when out of control. Even if there was a 3 foot tall berm there if you launch you're going down quite a ways.  I wonder how many people were saved from going over the berm since it was so tall with a lot of room to help you stop for the turn.  

 

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8tensolutions
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6/5/2024 3:29pm
All of you arguing about whether it was a cliff or different than other berms etc were not there, but Rick Ryan was and testified under...

All of you arguing about whether it was a cliff or different than other berms etc were not there, but Rick Ryan was and testified under oath.  I trust a prior pro that was there in person more than any Go Pro footage or pictures....which absolutely does not show grade accurately.   

So, the berm was dangerous and built poorly.  Regardless, in my opinion it is up to the riders and their parents (if minors) to be sure they know the track and try to be as safe as possible.  I honesty cannot believe RT sued the track even with the terrible injuries.  Asking the industry for support, using the scenario to make other tracks better, or really anything else.  It's like suing a family member.  Maybe the owners wronged him in the past or something.  Who knows, but it smells like shit, so therefore......it is.

byke wrote:
Can you explain what was uniquely dangerous about it and what about made you think it was poorly built? It looks like a big berm on...

Can you explain what was uniquely dangerous about it and what about made you think it was poorly built? It looks like a big berm on an incline, which comes with its own set of concerns like any obstacle does. Like you obviously don't want to go full send off of a berm, So what was different from the normal way riders are supposed to handle big berms? I honestly can't see it in the video. It just looks like another big berm that you don't want to go shooting off of. What's different? 

No, I cannot explain that, and nor can you if you were not there.  That was my whole point about trusting the former pro who thought it was bad enough to request a change that same morning.  

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early
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6/5/2024 3:34pm
50dippin wrote:
It was made probably 3/4 the way down the hill so while the berm itself was probably only 6-7 feet tall on the track side, it...

It was made probably 3/4 the way down the hill so while the berm itself was probably only 6-7 feet tall on the track side, it was probably 10-15 feet tall on the back side and depending on how far you launch it the drop gets taller.  

Other than completely flattening it which would make that the most off camber turn in moto history the only thing they could have done would have been to axe that section of the track, or maybe added a single to slow people down, but then again you could launch off that too when out of control. Even if there was a 3 foot tall berm there if you launch you're going down quite a ways.  I wonder how many people were saved from going over the berm since it was so tall with a lot of room to help you stop for the turn.  

 

Why not just push the berm to the bottom of the hill? Putting the berm there took away the challenge of the off camber anyway.

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byke
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6/5/2024 3:49pm
All of you arguing about whether it was a cliff or different than other berms etc were not there, but Rick Ryan was and testified under...

All of you arguing about whether it was a cliff or different than other berms etc were not there, but Rick Ryan was and testified under oath.  I trust a prior pro that was there in person more than any Go Pro footage or pictures....which absolutely does not show grade accurately.   

So, the berm was dangerous and built poorly.  Regardless, in my opinion it is up to the riders and their parents (if minors) to be sure they know the track and try to be as safe as possible.  I honesty cannot believe RT sued the track even with the terrible injuries.  Asking the industry for support, using the scenario to make other tracks better, or really anything else.  It's like suing a family member.  Maybe the owners wronged him in the past or something.  Who knows, but it smells like shit, so therefore......it is.

byke wrote:
Can you explain what was uniquely dangerous about it and what about made you think it was poorly built? It looks like a big berm on...

Can you explain what was uniquely dangerous about it and what about made you think it was poorly built? It looks like a big berm on an incline, which comes with its own set of concerns like any obstacle does. Like you obviously don't want to go full send off of a berm, So what was different from the normal way riders are supposed to handle big berms? I honestly can't see it in the video. It just looks like another big berm that you don't want to go shooting off of. What's different? 

No, I cannot explain that, and nor can you if you were not there.  That was my whole point about trusting the former pro who thought...

No, I cannot explain that, and nor can you if you were not there.  That was my whole point about trusting the former pro who thought it was bad enough to request a change that same morning.  

Don't put your stock into a person, put your stock into information. Like I could tell you a story about Rick Ryan riding up here at Riverfront decades ago with his rear wheel totally blown out with dangling spokes. Not only did he have no clue about it until it was pointed out, but he kept riding on it after it was pointed out. True story by the way, but the point is not to discredit him, but to show how easy it is to flip a 180 on a person as a means of erasing their opinion.

Now if you told me that there were giant boulders on the other side of the berm, then we can search photos and video whatever else and come to an agreement on an objective reality. Here, putting our faith into one person, there can be no agreements on an objective reality. There are some life lessons in here too, but that's a real rabbit hole of a conversation. 

And generally speaking, but especially in court, if someone can't articulate a position, it's because there isn't one. 

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The Shop

Toste
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6/5/2024 4:13pm
It’s at least good to see ML has stopped dropping in to defend and minimize what RT did. It’s hard to defend the indefensible but I...

It’s at least good to see ML has stopped dropping in to defend and minimize what RT did. It’s hard to defend the indefensible but I appreciate a solid effort.

 

DonM & ML only said that it was a possibility that the suit was initiated by the insurance company in the policy holder's name, which could have very well been the case under the information available at the time. I didn't read what they posted as defending or minimizing anything.

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wvumounty
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6/5/2024 4:27pm Edited Date/Time 6/5/2024 4:29pm

Don called everyone a dipshit for believing cooksey. He then was exposed as having either zero industry knowledge or trying to throw up a smoke screen.

lastly, he backtracked and claimed to not know RT

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fins227
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6/5/2024 4:43pm
NSP139 wrote:
Ya I'm worried about the presadence this sets! Insurance companies see this and rates go higher or just cancel! No wonder entry fees have been going...

Ya I'm worried about the presadence this sets! Insurance companies see this and rates go higher or just cancel! No wonder entry fees have been going up around here!

lostboy819 wrote:
Or they may ban anyone under the age of 18 from riding or racing. Surprised the government hasn't stepped in yet. Bottom line is that Taylor...

Or they may ban anyone under the age of 18 from riding or racing. Surprised the government hasn't stepped in yet. Bottom line is that Taylor wasn't looking out for his kid, he's just another mini dad in my book.

There’s posts on Facebook about the little girl that died with a lot of comments wondering why they make small motorcycles and saying the parents should be jailed. Seems excessive now but in 10-15 years, could become reality. Lawsuits like this definitely aren’t helping. 

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Farmer J
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6/5/2024 4:49pm
wvumounty wrote:
Don called everyone a dipshit for believing cooksey. He then was exposed as having either zero industry knowledge or trying to throw up a smoke screen...

Don called everyone a dipshit for believing cooksey. He then was exposed as having either zero industry knowledge or trying to throw up a smoke screen.

lastly, he backtracked and claimed to not know RT

He also said ML had to edit my post and correct me(lacr lawsuit) to clarify the falsehoods in my post.  That I knew exactly what I was doing. The only thing that was edited in my post was what ML posted on i believe page 3 was added below my question. He tried multiple times to make me delete it or lock it and said if I didn't I wasn't innocent.  He told me to f off shut the f up said I'm sucking the kooksey teet when I said multiple times im not a fan and don't trust the guy on everything.  Said I'm dealing with zero fact and 100% speculation. (Isn't this what don does all the time) Don said I'm 100% bias when that's him all the time especially with cooksey and he later admitted he was biased. I didn't know what to think of the video and was on the fence. At first I was like all of this has to be false but as it went on longer I started to lean the other way. 

But let's be real here, this isn't the first time or the last time don has done something like this. 

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6/5/2024 5:02pm
NSP139 wrote:
Ya I'm worried about the presadence this sets! Insurance companies see this and rates go higher or just cancel! No wonder entry fees have been going...

Ya I'm worried about the presadence this sets! Insurance companies see this and rates go higher or just cancel! No wonder entry fees have been going up around here!

lostboy819 wrote:
Or they may ban anyone under the age of 18 from riding or racing. Surprised the government hasn't stepped in yet. Bottom line is that Taylor...

Or they may ban anyone under the age of 18 from riding or racing. Surprised the government hasn't stepped in yet. Bottom line is that Taylor wasn't looking out for his kid, he's just another mini dad in my book.

fins227 wrote:
There’s posts on Facebook about the little girl that died with a lot of comments wondering why they make small motorcycles and saying the parents should...

There’s posts on Facebook about the little girl that died with a lot of comments wondering why they make small motorcycles and saying the parents should be jailed. Seems excessive now but in 10-15 years, could become reality. Lawsuits like this definitely aren’t helping. 

In CT there was or is still a law that restricts kids from racing until they are older than 14 I think.  And there was talk of parents being accused of child abuse for allowing kids that were younger to ride.  

 

I have not been around many local races in a while so I'm not sure if that law is still around or not.  Kids football was also brought up. So its unfortunately already been a thing. The last I looked into it, the Law in CT was being proposed to be changed. So it may be different now.  But there were people at the time saying that allowing kids to race dirt bikes could be considered child abuse. I believe either a local news paper or news website ran a story on it back years ago.  I'm sure somebody can find more info on that with a little searching.  Back in the early 2000's they stopped running the smaller bike classes at Central Village because of the law. 

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Brad460
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6/5/2024 5:37pm
fins227 wrote:
There’s posts on Facebook about the little girl that died with a lot of comments wondering why they make small motorcycles and saying the parents should...

There’s posts on Facebook about the little girl that died with a lot of comments wondering why they make small motorcycles and saying the parents should be jailed. Seems excessive now but in 10-15 years, could become reality. Lawsuits like this definitely aren’t helping. 

That is one issue with motocross- If a child gets hurt the parent(s) are to blame..If my son were to get hurt, even my wife would blame me. But if it’s any other sport (basketball, soccer, football..etc) a parent is never blamed and it’s just “part of playing sports”..

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Overcusser
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6/5/2024 5:46pm

that berm doesn't really look anymore dangerous than a ton of tracks I see. Like at Tomahawk that right hander after the big downhill looks more sketchy by a mile, if you whiskey there you're gonna launch into a holding pond

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PNWMXer
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6/5/2024 6:21pm
NSP139 wrote:
Ya I'm worried about the presadence this sets! Insurance companies see this and rates go higher or just cancel! No wonder entry fees have been going...

Ya I'm worried about the presadence this sets! Insurance companies see this and rates go higher or just cancel! No wonder entry fees have been going up around here!

lostboy819 wrote:
Or they may ban anyone under the age of 18 from riding or racing. Surprised the government hasn't stepped in yet. Bottom line is that Taylor...

Or they may ban anyone under the age of 18 from riding or racing. Surprised the government hasn't stepped in yet. Bottom line is that Taylor wasn't looking out for his kid, he's just another mini dad in my book.

fins227 wrote:
There’s posts on Facebook about the little girl that died with a lot of comments wondering why they make small motorcycles and saying the parents should...

There’s posts on Facebook about the little girl that died with a lot of comments wondering why they make small motorcycles and saying the parents should be jailed. Seems excessive now but in 10-15 years, could become reality. Lawsuits like this definitely aren’t helping. 

Most of the people saying things like that are the same worthless twats that wore masks in their car and will never do anything riskier than to have a second cup of coffee with their Sunday paper.

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mxracer71
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6/5/2024 6:34pm

I haven’t read through all 13 pages…… we all know the risks when we through a leg over the seat? Of course we do.  Dirt bikes are dangerous and we all know that.  We ride because we like the adrenaline rush,we like pushing it to the limit and we enjoy riding with the family. If it was dangerous rich should have never let his kid ride period,but he did anyways. That’s no one’s fault but his own. You need to take responsibility for your own actions, If he needed the money for medical bills that should be on him and not the track responsibly to pay his bills. Regardless of who’s lying or not, there was some truth to what cooksey was saying and enough backlash for rich to make a statement. Pretty disappointing to here rich sued for not taking responsibility for his son getting hurt and could have gotten one of the best tracks in so cal shut down.

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ohh_454
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6/5/2024 7:43pm

Does the kid still ride?

Chris_Buehler
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6/5/2024 7:45pm
ohh_454 wrote:

Does the kid still ride?

Yes. Was back riding in '18

6/5/2024 8:10pm

Ok, dumb question is DonM (vital) the same person as Donn Maeda (SwapMoto) ?

I always thought they were different people

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6/5/2024 8:21pm
LumpDog841 wrote:

Ok, dumb question is DonM (vital) the same person as Donn Maeda (SwapMoto) ?

I always thought they were different people

No, DonM is the resident know-it-all on vital and not Swap, Donn Maeda

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DownSouth
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6/5/2024 8:22pm
LumpDog841 wrote:

Ok, dumb question is DonM (vital) the same person as Donn Maeda (SwapMoto) ?

I always thought they were different people

Two different guys.

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wisey
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6/5/2024 8:35pm

Didn’t read everything but get the gist of it. So because there were major injuries it justified the suit. 

Pretty much all tracks have sections of consideration. Take GH  40 man gate, hip jump, the first 20’ mound in the finish line section. That’s 3 on one track that has claimed many people.

One of my races got cut short when someone whiskied off Shoie hill and ended up in Taladega

Shouldn’t be able to sue for your own actions.

 

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6/5/2024 9:47pm

Did we see somewhere they got 700k for the settlement? After attorneys fees and reimbursing the insurance company for medical bills doesn’t seem like they got enough money to justify the trouble this would do to Eks and their reputation inside the industry. I am totally guessing but insurance company probably laid out at north of 250k to get the poor kid all patched up again?

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6/5/2024 10:33pm

As a lifelong motocross racer and fan of the sport, I would never sue a track. When we sign the waiver we assume the risks. It's on us. We need every track we can get, more and more shut down every year.

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6/5/2024 10:49pm
If the track was too dangerous for them, they didn’t need to enter the race.  There are doubles and triples on tracks that I think are...

If the track was too dangerous for them, they didn’t need to enter the race.  There are doubles and triples on tracks that I think are too dangerous.  I don’t jump them.  If there are trees (or a hill) on the back side of a berm and I want to be sure I don’t go over it, I take the inside line.  Just like everything else in life, threats are lurking everywhere.  Part of winning is knowing when the risk outweighs the reward.  Glad to hear that the Taylors could cash in on a bad choice.

I literally just ordered $250 worth of new Scott goggles so I can purge my goggle case of EKS brand (which is all I wore previously).

TeamGreen wrote:
I honestly feel there’s quite a bit of reasonable thinking in this post.  Also, Rick Ryan KNOWS risky dangerous stuff when he sees it. Back in...

I honestly feel there’s quite a bit of reasonable thinking in this post. 

Also, Rick Ryan KNOWS risky dangerous stuff when he sees it. Back in his day…and before t was called “Free Riding”, he would huck crazy natural terrain jumps up & down hills and over gaps. He knows what’s too damn dangerous and what’s not. 

All that aside…when I’ve worked with SOMEONE-ELSE’S KIDS at the track or out riding…I pre-run the course and/or WALK THE TRACK WITH THEM & I see what they’re looking at. 

So, I’m left wondering HOW this kid…these kids…were allowed to race this course if they’re there with RESPONSIBLE PARENTS…?  Yes, you can say that this isn’t a very nice observation or that it’s after the fact…

But, there’s just one problem…

This DANGEROUS. CONDITION WAS OBSERVED BEFORE THE FACT by at least ONE RESPONSIBLE PARENT. 

On the other hand: in some cases, I don’t think we’ve given enough credit to Rich having to watch his kid get put back together over almost a decade. 

What we do is dangerous.  Complete and total negligence BY ANYONE INVOLVED DOESN’T HELP.  
Suing the facilities certainly doesn’t help, either. 

This situation is soooooo fucked. I’m left feeling pretty damn heart broken for the little dude that’s all busted up. Let’s not forget him and HOW he got that way. Sure, he’s grown, now…but, it’s obviously been a tough road. Fuck, that’s just sad. 

Rich, I’m sorry for your boy. But, I’m also disappointed in your actions. 

One day two summers ago, I drove nearly 3 hours to meet some friends at a track.  When I got there, I have to admit that...

One day two summers ago, I drove nearly 3 hours to meet some friends at a track.  When I got there, I have to admit that I was a little intimidated by all the big jumps and lack of prep and flaggers.  As I was unloading my bike, I saw a guy crash and then get landed on by the next guy to come over the jump.  At that point, I loaded my bike back up, got my practice fee refunded, and drove home.  That is what responsible people do when they don’t think a track is safe.  They don’t sign a waiver then come back and sue when things don’t go their way.  People like RT get tracks shut down.  I’ll be tossing all my goggles as soon as my new Scotts show up.

I saw a gentleman get landed on by his friend at Woodland MX in WA state a couple years ago and I did the same thing. I was done for the day. Left right then and there. Didn't even bother getting a refund. 

6/5/2024 10:54pm
What I said about you. " I'll give ML credit, at least he didn't delete the original thread, but he did try to steer the narrative and...

What I said about you. " I'll give ML credit, at least he didn't delete the original thread, but he did try to steer the narrative and cast aspersions on the messenger rather than just letting us figure out what's going on." 

And that's exactly what you did. You've edited the post since, but you came in hot trying to make it about what Cooksey got wrong and not the lawsuit, and you did all you could to blame the track, and the insurance company. I don't know how much you knew before that, but you definitely tried to steer the narrative in RT's favor.

Donn, Steve can call me whatever he wants. I never did anything to him, but that's his right. I've definitely been called worse than a cock holster.

I walked away from this sport on my own terms and love being "just a fan" for now. A big reason I left is the silent control the industry has over people in it and the incestuous nature of the business side. There's zero chance I would've reported something like this on a Rich Taylor if I was still a hard card member of the sport. The pile on from the aforementioned media members and others in the sport would not have been worth it. All that is made very clear in a situation like this when you see media people doing all they can to keep the truth from the fans.

There's no media in this sport....It's one big feel-good infomercial. The guy wanted a big payday and he got it, then the press ran cover for...

There's no media in this sport....It's one big feel-good infomercial.

The guy wanted a big payday and he got it, then the press ran cover for him.

 

"Circlejerk" is the term you're looking for.

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mxnick
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6/5/2024 11:43pm
LumpDog841 wrote:

Ok, dumb question is DonM (vital) the same person as Donn Maeda (SwapMoto) ?

I always thought they were different people

lostboy819 wrote:

No, DonM is the resident know-it-all on vital and not Swap, Donn Maeda

But the real Swap is Chad Pederson - I forgot which one posts here on Vital...

6/6/2024 1:11am

Soooo, did Taylor or Ryan have a beef with the track owner beforehand ???

That would make a difference, because I bet they did.

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Sandusky26
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6/6/2024 4:08am

my tile guy wants to sue Metallica and PCP 

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Meister
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6/6/2024 4:27am Edited Date/Time 6/6/2024 4:29am

Mxdez....all ive seen is people raising money for the bar x guy... See the difference? Own taking care of own..  i bet similar happened or coulda happened with Rich's kid but instead hes going after the track owner.. 

 

You assuming other people would sue is funny too.. People literally telling you theyd never sue over something like this and youre trying to tell them they would.. Youve got a nickel in this somewhere.. 

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MxAddic
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6/6/2024 4:27am
Meister wrote:
Cliffs. One into water is a 30' cliff. I see no resemblance.    

Cliffs. One into water is a 30' cliff.

I see no resemblance.

 

 

No way you can pile up dirt and make a cliff, only a slope.

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Meister
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6/6/2024 4:44am
Meister wrote:
Cliffs. One into water is a 30' cliff. I see no resemblance.    

Cliffs. One into water is a 30' cliff.

I see no resemblance.

 

 

MxAddic wrote:

No way you can pile up dirt and make a cliff, only a slope.

The ex pro that claimed cliff is now nearly elderly and let's just consider his level of head protection through his days. Probably bumped it a few times. Ive got 28 years in the sport and can say i won at Daytona too (lol, only slow amature class tho) and if thats a cliff then ive got life all wrong. 

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MxAddic
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6/6/2024 4:47am
Tyler D wrote:
he's legally within his rights, but whether this will accomplish anything worthwhile for his family and the community is certainly the question. they have a case...

he's legally within his rights, but whether this will accomplish anything worthwhile for his family and the community is certainly the question.

they have a case for gross negligence if the jury finds the risk was unnecessary and not reasonably foreseeable by the plaintiff(s) during the course & scope of activity voluntarily entered into. 

Considering we have heard zero from LACR how is it possible for the vitard lawyers to form a conclusion. I think it’s safe for me to say both parties lawyers felt there was some form of liability by the track owners irrespective of Vital’s mob mentality.

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