Steve Mercer TT report into head on with course car
Discussion
What do people think of this? I'll say nothing at this stage as I marshall for the TT.
BBC News - TT organisers refuse to reveal contents of serious crash investigation
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man...
BBC News - TT organisers refuse to reveal contents of serious crash investigation
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man...
I was there about 400 yards from Dan's accident, and we had seen some unsettling things happening with Marshalls bombing past us backwards on track, and then a minute or so later, the cop car coming up the track in correct direction to the scene of the accident. I spoke to our marshall about it, as it was just "wrong" as an observer, and even posted about it on soashal media! Then 15 mins later we heard about this incident, ironically involving a team mate of Dan's and a guy I know from the Enduro world.
Sickening, and to be honest, a monumental f
k up that will mean TT and other events wont ever be quite the same again. One has to wonder WHY the course car was travelling at such speed, there was absolutely no need for it, the accident had happened over an hour earlier and the course was sterile. The accident investigation cop car came past us to the actual accident scene to do important work, at about 40mph, no more. You would think that after an incident in which a rider was killed, and the sombre tone that falls over the course and staff as a result, that he would perhaps drive a little more steadily? But what was interesting was that this year, for the first year I have seen, the new Honda course cars seemed to be out in force doing VIP laps during practice week at the back of the grid, and tbh, some of the lines being driven were fking awful. I am not sure who they had driving them, but they attracted attention on several occasions, and not for the right reasons!
It really did, at times, seem like it was the fking chuckle brothers running the show, and this comes after the difficult prior year with the st weather and ballsed up practice week, with chaperoning over the mountain and one run up to Ramsey for set up. It's not that impressive, the way they organise it. All the modern technology, and yet there are far too many "surprises" that cause delays, inconvenience and downright danger. They need a rocket up their arses IMHO.
Sickening, and to be honest, a monumental f
k up that will mean TT and other events wont ever be quite the same again. One has to wonder WHY the course car was travelling at such speed, there was absolutely no need for it, the accident had happened over an hour earlier and the course was sterile. The accident investigation cop car came past us to the actual accident scene to do important work, at about 40mph, no more. You would think that after an incident in which a rider was killed, and the sombre tone that falls over the course and staff as a result, that he would perhaps drive a little more steadily? But what was interesting was that this year, for the first year I have seen, the new Honda course cars seemed to be out in force doing VIP laps during practice week at the back of the grid, and tbh, some of the lines being driven were fking awful. I am not sure who they had driving them, but they attracted attention on several occasions, and not for the right reasons! It really did, at times, seem like it was the f
king chuckle brothers running the show, and this comes after the difficult prior year with the st weather and ballsed up practice week, with chaperoning over the mountain and one run up to Ramsey for set up. It's not that impressive, the way they organise it. All the modern technology, and yet there are far too many "surprises" that cause delays, inconvenience and downright danger. They need a rocket up their arses IMHO. Edited by poo at Paul's on Saturday 8th December 00:01
Zarco said:
I think they know made a bad call telling him to ride the wrong way round the course, and are now trying to get off the hook.
It’s quite regular occurence owing to the length of the course. The racers quite enjoy going back the wrong way for novelty’s sake and don’t tend to hang about.Steve, who I used to follow fairly closely as I raced (in another class) at the same time as his first big year with Bemsee back in 2005, he wasn’t the only one sent back the wrong way and the first one in that group (who is actually my best mate’s plumber) narrowly missed the course car that then had the head-on milliseconds later.
Death & serious injury due to the nature of the track there are bad enough but when it’s down to incompetence & miscomunication it’s even more sad somehow.
I heard a few things about the incident while on the island, rumour was rife and lots of random theories were spouted.
The only rumour that I heard repeatadely from locals was that Steve's group were sent back the wrong way by a marshall that made the decision unilaterally (without clear direction from race control to do so).
As mentioned above, the riders have been sent back the wrong way on numerous occasions, so this isn't something that is inherently unsafe if managed properly.
Several groups came back the wrong way that day, which presumably happened under the direction of race control and those groups arrived safely back in the paddock.
The only rumour that I heard repeatadely from locals was that Steve's group were sent back the wrong way by a marshall that made the decision unilaterally (without clear direction from race control to do so).
As mentioned above, the riders have been sent back the wrong way on numerous occasions, so this isn't something that is inherently unsafe if managed properly.
Several groups came back the wrong way that day, which presumably happened under the direction of race control and those groups arrived safely back in the paddock.
Not releasing the report will lead to loads more people claiming cover up, or relying on third hand gossip and proclaiming it as fact. However, I understand why they’ve not released it, as there is ongoing legal stuff and Mercer is suing too. In situations like that you have to keep information between the opposing sides and not for public consumption.
The fault must lay at the hands of either the rider, the driver of the vehicle, or the marshal/course control that decided to send the rider the wrong.
I'm sure none of these people had made the mistake on purpose, so what does making the report and the fault finding public add to the whole situation rather than making someone that I'm sure already knows their mistake, a public enemy ?
The findings from the report are held by the ACU, the individuals involved in the accident investigation and the injured riders family. Any of those parties have the right to publish it, but they have all agreed (I assume) not too, and we should respect their wishes.
I'm sure that whatever caused the accident will be something that never happens again, and that should now be the book closed.
By people claiming all sorts of blame and speculation, all that is achieved is the public perception of the race becomes worse, and lets not forget that this is an event that already has a very shaky future due to health and safety regulations and nervous insurers, so in the interest of the continuation of the race, I'd suggest that anyone that sees any rumours and speculation, tries to get them stopped.
I'm sure none of these people had made the mistake on purpose, so what does making the report and the fault finding public add to the whole situation rather than making someone that I'm sure already knows their mistake, a public enemy ?
The findings from the report are held by the ACU, the individuals involved in the accident investigation and the injured riders family. Any of those parties have the right to publish it, but they have all agreed (I assume) not too, and we should respect their wishes.
I'm sure that whatever caused the accident will be something that never happens again, and that should now be the book closed.
By people claiming all sorts of blame and speculation, all that is achieved is the public perception of the race becomes worse, and lets not forget that this is an event that already has a very shaky future due to health and safety regulations and nervous insurers, so in the interest of the continuation of the race, I'd suggest that anyone that sees any rumours and speculation, tries to get them stopped.
Would it not work if it were made that whenever the course is neutralised, the rules of the road apply, or at least the rules of which side of the road is driven on apply?
That way riders can return in the opposite direction and course car and emergency vehicles can make their way safely in a 'normal' manner.
Presumably in the normal 50 weeks of the year emergency vehicles wouldn't be allowed to take racing lines around blindbends and corners, so ensure they don't do it on race weeks either?
That way riders can return in the opposite direction and course car and emergency vehicles can make their way safely in a 'normal' manner.
Presumably in the normal 50 weeks of the year emergency vehicles wouldn't be allowed to take racing lines around blindbends and corners, so ensure they don't do it on race weeks either?
heebeegeetee said:
Would it not work if it were made that whenever the course is neutralised, the rules of the road apply, or at least the rules of which side of the road is driven on apply?
That way riders can return in the opposite direction and course car and emergency vehicles can make their way safely in a 'normal' manner.
Presumably in the normal 50 weeks of the year emergency vehicles wouldn't be allowed to take racing lines around blindbends and corners, so ensure they don't do it on race weeks either?
It would still need to be neutralized in the same way as normal which is by radio communication round the marshalled.That way riders can return in the opposite direction and course car and emergency vehicles can make their way safely in a 'normal' manner.
Presumably in the normal 50 weeks of the year emergency vehicles wouldn't be allowed to take racing lines around blindbends and corners, so ensure they don't do it on race weeks either?
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