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825
Joined
7/28/2014
Location
Gretna, NE, USA
A vet rider lost his life tonight at Arenacross in front of family and friends. Please contribute for the wife and kids left behind. I assure you the person running the GoFundMe is close to the family.
Damn. This is terrible to read.. RIP and thoughts to the family.
Dammit… RIP moto brother. Praying for his family and friends during such a horrible time.
Yikes. Prayers to his loved ones. Any info on how?
See below. Someone explained briefly.
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I think it was a solo crash. Removing the bike off the track caused another accident and that rider was okay from what I remember, but I didnt see whole thing. I was in staging area with my 4 year old son and it's something I dont think Ill ever forget. Puts things into perspective real fast. Hug your loved ones. Prayers to the family and friends. I am assuming he loved motocross greatly and hope he is riding in peace 🙏
Godspeed Mike.
Very sad. I’ll be praying for his family.
I seen every second of it. Some people need closure, some don’t. If you are family or friends I will explain what happened, but I won’t post it publicly. Good speed Micheal Walker. RIP
I only knew Mike from a few races, those races you go to that are out of your "norm" and you really don't know many people. Mike was one of those you see and meet that you dont forget LOL I don't think there was a happier guy to be at a hot dusty race. The guy was just genuinely nice to me and my son talking my ear off about good ole moto. At future races if I saw him I always looked forward to talking to him....my Son also. He certainly set a great example for my son of how to treat new people with kindness.
Rest in peace and prayers for his family from Colorado
Horrible news
Donated.
I hate hearing of things like this. My condolences go out to all his family and friends. RIP moto brother Mike.
Sorry for the loss of your friend Show.
Why not just tell us what happened we are all racers and feel for everyone in our sport that’s has been hurt, I would appreciate knowing how it happened and maybe some insight into not doing the same thing, you could actually help fellow riders by being honest.
This hits close for me as a close friend who I wrenched for passed in a Vet race. It was quite a time ago but has never left me.
Prayers for his family.
He was an older racer, his body just couldn’t take that hit like a younger kids body can. He was way outta shape in the landing potentially from cross rutting going up the face of the finish line. I think us older guys and moto dads should really look into the Alpinestars air bag chest protectors. Ain’t no other information going to help us fellow riders other than to wear protective gear. I’ve seen many impacts like Micheal’s, didn’t look that bad
I was in the stands with my three kids and they all had to watch by accident. I’m 36 out of all the races I’ve been to, that was a first. I gave my son the choice to throw in the towel and not race, he decided he wanted to keep at it. Very humbling experience that I’m sure no one will forget.
A lot of us are older guys here so what happened is relevant to a lot of us who shouldn't be hitting big jumps anymore. So you believe it was a chest injury and not a neck injury from what you saw? From what you said it sounds like a cross rut off the finish line jump, he got sideways, and then high sided with a chest impact on the landing?
Prayers to the family, RIP Mike.
I watched a video of Vet practice from the race and saw something that scared the bejeezus out of me. I know that the tracks are tight, but wow! Hopefully it wasn't something like this during the race, as it'd be almost impossible to recover psychologically if you were riding the other bike and survived.
Pit Row
In that pic above that rider spun out before the finish line (down the start straight you make a tight right-hander and hit the finish). He was trying to get back on track safely and is right up against the jumps out of the way. The accident with Mr. Walker was solo from what I understand, and from what I heard came up short on the finish line hitting chest on handlebars. Again I didn't see the whole accident just the aftermath, so don't quote me, but don't want false rumors to get out that don't align with what I've heard. Praying for the family, friends, promoters, medics, and everyone involved. From the comments I've seen, he was respected at the races, always positive, and loved the sport.
RIP moto brother, and God be with your loved ones.
RIP Mike, prayers to the family.
Exactly it was high side chest hit. Looked like he cross rutted but I was on other side of jump and saw him land only. He rolled over on his back and it looked like he was trying to catch his breath, as his chest was pumping up and down hard.
His chest didn’t hit the bar, he straight chest planted into the dirt from landing sideways on the jump, he wasn’t that short, he landed where everyone else was landing he was just sideways. It has happened to most of us riders.
On the Main Event Moto podcast Daniel Blair said he was there at the event and after the crash they had a riders meeting and asked the riders if they wanted to continue with the race day before proceeding with the program.
Happened right in front of me. Sat there and prayed while they continually attempted to resuscitate him for 10+ minutes. His wife asking if he had a pulse and no one saying anything just ripped my heart out. Gutted for the family.
Not the first time I’ve seen it, but that doesn’t make it anymore paletable. We all know this shit can happen. And most everyone still decided to race after. I’ll never forget it.
RIP Mike
Always have goosebumps reading this. Godspeed Mike.
I was announcing at Freestone when Tyler Hoeft crashed directly in front of the tower and passed away.
You knew from watching the EMT's that this was bad and not your usual crash situation.
Seeing something like that makes you wonder about this sport that we love so much.
RIP Mike
Damn dude. Hate to hear this. RIP
They said that they were going to continue with the night program (heats were canceled) and anyone who did not want to race, even if they decided last minute on the starting line, they could receive a full refund. The promoter and workers (some who have experienced tragedy in their lives) were very emotional. I thought the promoters and workers did a great job handling the situation and I could tell how much they cared about the riders. The arenacross series is very tight-knit and you get to know many of the families and workers (more so than at motocross events). During difficult times it is nice to see the motocross community come together, on the GoFund page that was set up I saw pros and other industry personnel who are not even related to the series donating. Even Ronnie Mac made a video encouraging donations and donated a large amount. Yes it sucks and is a part of the sport (and a part of life) that we do not like to think about. But I like to think that he was doing what he loved and was surrounded by family and friends who loved him very much.
So it sounds like chest protection wouldn't have helped regardless if he was wearing it or not? After reading the first half of this thread a couple days ago I'm on a mission for a new chest protector, because I know hefty blows to the bars can have the same result.
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