The Dangers of Formula 1
Discussion
I was given for Christmas a book titled "The Story of Formula 1, 65 years of life in the fast lane" by Bruce Jones. Just started reading it this weekend. It soon brought back memories of what it was like before safety was seriously thought about! It's easy to forget the sad number of Formula 1 drivers who were killed in Formula 1 and many other categories of motor sport.
Motorcycle racing was also going on at the same time though I don't think there was so many famous household names as in Formula 1.
I was just wondering if there was a similar number of motorcycle riders killed during the same period?
Motorcycle racing was also going on at the same time though I don't think there was so many famous household names as in Formula 1.
I was just wondering if there was a similar number of motorcycle riders killed during the same period?
Top level bike riders sadly pass away far, far more often than they do in F1.
Of the more recent, Daijiro Katoh at Suzuka in 2003, Shoya Tomizawa in 2010 and Marco Simoncelli in 2011 and that's only in the MotoGP and supporting classes. If you include other FIM sanctioned events such as Endurance racing and World Superbikes then there are sadly more. Two riders died in 2013.
Two riders died in the US Superbike (now called MotoAmerica) series last year at the same meeting at Laguna Seca. It's far more dangerous, but when you're sitting on top of what is basically an engine with wheels, steering and a seat strapped to it with little to no protection, sadly it's to be expected.
Of the more recent, Daijiro Katoh at Suzuka in 2003, Shoya Tomizawa in 2010 and Marco Simoncelli in 2011 and that's only in the MotoGP and supporting classes. If you include other FIM sanctioned events such as Endurance racing and World Superbikes then there are sadly more. Two riders died in 2013.
Two riders died in the US Superbike (now called MotoAmerica) series last year at the same meeting at Laguna Seca. It's far more dangerous, but when you're sitting on top of what is basically an engine with wheels, steering and a seat strapped to it with little to no protection, sadly it's to be expected.
I have a mate down the local pub who has had a career in film and also motor racing.
He was a test driver for Brabham in the early days (pre Ecclestone) and also raced in several categories such as Formula Ford, F5000 and many others.
Listening to him for an evening talking about stars of the past like Mike the bike and many others, you realize that he is one of the lucky ones to live to tell the tale.
He was a test driver for Brabham in the early days (pre Ecclestone) and also raced in several categories such as Formula Ford, F5000 and many others.
Listening to him for an evening talking about stars of the past like Mike the bike and many others, you realize that he is one of the lucky ones to live to tell the tale.
Edited by rev-erend on Thursday 4th February 17:40
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