James Cowton - RIP :-(

[towser44]

Horrible week for motorcycling. James Cowton has unfortunately passed away and Ivan Lintin is critical.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/motorsport/44815725

Apologies, should also say that Jamie Coward has shoulder injuries and Mickey Evans leg and arm injuries.

[Atlas 12v]

Shocking week! RIP!

[hebegb]

Just saw this - more terrible and sad news for all , RIP , thoughts to relatives and friends and heal well those injured....

[Mr. White]

So sad to see James go.

Anyone know the extent of Ivan's injuries?

[cuprabob]

Sad news...RIP

[podman]

Very sad indeed, what can you say, its tragic waste of life..bless 'em all.

[Gavia]

RIP

Horrible news.

Fingers crossed for all the others involved

[anonymous-user]

st week for road racing. So many young racers losing their lives. I love the sport but this year has been one of the worst I can remember.

Thoughts are with the families.

[scunnylad]

RIP

It's a dark day here at the S100

[poo at Paul's]

Jesus, very sad. Again, a very nice lad and well and truly getting his act together on the roads. RIP James.

Sad for Ivan too, he had a cracking TT, was well on it from day one this year. GWS IL

[Andybow]

It’s been a terrible month RIP guys

[robinh73]

I am just waiting for the do-gooders to come along and say the sport should be banned. Just let them try!

[epom]

RIP James. To those battling, battle on.

[curlie467]

robinh73 said:

I am just waiting for the do-gooders to come along and say the sport should be banned. Just let them try!

Not from me, I love the sport but am a little deflated at the moment so can't imagine how the paddock feels.
My thoughts go out to all.

[robinh73]

curlie467 said:

robinh73 said:

I am just waiting for the do-gooders to come along and say the sport should be banned. Just let them try!

Not from me, I love the sport but am a little deflated at the moment so can't imagine how the paddock feels.
My thoughts go out to all.

I must admit that his death along with the loss of Dan Kneen and William Dunlop has hit me. I have raced with them and knew James and Dan quite well and to have these loses is quite tough. I have taken a year out of the sport and I must admit, it is something I am not missing at the moment.

[StuB]

Terrible news, RIP James, Lintin critical, not seen any update this morning & others seriously injured. Motorsport/Road Racing is dangerous!

Been a terrible couple of seasons as far as I recall, but I fully support the right for people to make the choice to race the real roads for themselves. They know the consequences, as do their nearest and dearest who live with the consequences of the fatalities and serious injuries.

Not a choice I was prepared to make, circuit racing suited me and my grass-tracking ways.

[Tom Logan]

curlie467 said:

robinh73 said:

I am just waiting for the do-gooders to come along and say the sport should be banned. Just let them try!

Not from me, I love the sport but am a little deflated at the moment so can't imagine how the paddock feels.
My thoughts go out to all.

Nor from me. I raced the UK circuits from the late 70s to the early 90s and loved it, winning a club championship on the way. You tend to forget the injuries and bad times and remember the good and all the friends made on the way.

I never did the roads and I have every admiration for the guys who do, they know what can happen if it goes wrong but accept the risks regardless.

Respect to them all.

[joema]

It's been crap this year. I know they know the risks but it doesn't make it any less sad.

The love/hate affair will continue though.

[robinh73]

Tom Logan said:

curlie467 said:

robinh73 said:

I am just waiting for the do-gooders to come along and say the sport should be banned. Just let them try!

Not from me, I love the sport but am a little deflated at the moment so can't imagine how the paddock feels.
My thoughts go out to all.

Nor from me. I raced the UK circuits from the late 70s to the early 90s and loved it, winning a club championship on the way. You tend to forget the injuries and bad times and remember the good and all the friends made on the way.

I never did the roads and I have every admiration for the guys who do, they know what can happen if it goes wrong but accept the risks regardless.

Respect to them all.

It has been a terrible year and since moving from circuit racing to the road racing side, I have to say I have sadly lost more friends than I ever did on the circuits. But we have all entered into it, weighing up the risks and accepting that it is a risk worth taking. As a very good fellow road racer has just said, "it is not up to people to decide whether we race or not, but it is up to you to decide whether you want to be a part of it or not".
Personally I have had the time of my life road racing and while I have lost friends to it, I have also made so many more amazing friends through it. Long may it continue and from a personal note, I cannot wait to get back out there again next year.

[Dick Seaman]

robinh73 said:

It has been a terrible year and since moving from circuit racing to the road racing side, I have to say I have sadly lost more friends than I ever did on the circuits. But we have all entered into it, weighing up the risks and accepting that it is a risk worth taking. As a very good fellow road racer has just said, "it is not up to people to decide whether we race or not, but it is up to you to decide whether you want to be a part of it or not".
Personally I have had the time of my life road racing and while I have lost friends to it, I have also made so many more amazing friends through it. Long may it continue and from a personal note, I cannot wait to get back out there again next year.

It's always interesting to read your contributions Robin. From the inside, looking out. Glad you're part of the discussions.

As a middle-aged born again biker (who has recently done his first track day and loved it), I'm just grateful that there are people willing to take extreme risks to experience some of the most incredible feelings that life can offer, because, for me at least, they've been an inspiration. I know I'll never experience Bray Hill flat out, but watching others do it was enough to get me off the sofa, on a DAS course and loving life on two wheels.

I'll never know the ultimate thrills, but I've experienced enough at my basic level to understand that it must be worth the risk.