RIP Marco Simoncelli 1987 - 2011

[Christel]

I was watching the Sepang MotoGP this morning and at the same time talking with Ovenpaa.
Then out of the corner of my eye I saw bikes upending and veering off the track, it was a horrific crash, Marco Simoncelli fell off his bike and crashed into Colin Edwards and they nearly took Valentino Rossi out as well. Worst accident this year.
Marco Simoncelli's helmet came off in the crash.

Initially they were going to restart the race but then they cancelled it. Reason was that they did not want to let the race go on while waiting for news about Marco Simoncelli.

He died later this morning. To his family, all his fans and his team, a great loss.

[Robin128]

Saw this regularly outside Garden Village (Swansea) in the 50s...accident black spot...Sister Jones would come out and cradle their un helmitted busted heads ...few seconds later...dead.

Darn Bykes!...my mother would say, mad buggers my ex byker father would say.

Inherent risk of racing?

Sad.

[Christel]

Always a risk when you race, here the helmet came off, helmets are not supposed to come off.

Obviously there will be a major investigation now.

[bobbob]

Very sad, we saw it too.

Bnz raised a question though about his hair. He was known for a huge afro style. Anyone who has worn a helmet knows it needs to be a tight fit. Could he get the correct fit with all that hair?

[Robin128]

Don't look...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MQRvdX2D04

[Polchraine]

He did not stand a chance ... if you watch the clips (those that are still available even though one company is claiming copyright on you-tube even for spectators own video!) he was almost totally off down to the right of his bike as it came across the track. He was then hit full on by Colin Edwards who had no real chance to avoid him with Rossi close to him.

http://www.automotive-information.com/v ... aysia-2011 still has the video available.

[alan108]

The lastest that i've heard (not confirmed yet) is that Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi are to retire forwith.. Shame really,as it wasn't their fault,just a very tragic accident.
As all the signs around racing tracks say.
"MOTOR RACING IS DANGEROUS".
Riders DO know the risks invloved,but still choose to entertain us.

RIP Marco, you will be sadly missed.

Alan

[Polchraine]

The lastest that i've heard (not confirmed yet) is that Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi are to retire forwith.. Shame really,as it wasn't their fault,just a very tragic accident.
As all the signs around racing tracks say.
"MOTOR RACING IS DANGEROUS".
Riders DO know the risks invloved,but still choose to entertain us.

RIP Marco, you will be sadly missed.

Alan

Edwards in can understand, but Rossi, why? It was the fault of neither of them, although Edwards' bike probably caused the fatal injuries. Maybe they are thinking they have had enough and they might be next?

[ovenpaa]

Well Edwards is due to move to a 'CRT' team for 2012 so an unknown quantity and Rossi has had a grim season with Ducati and is at a low ebb so they could well quit however they are both highly professional riders so I would be surprised if they did.

The sad thing is Simoncelli took a lot of flack this year due to his riding style and two of his biggest supporters were Edwards and Rossi.

[Christel]

I said those exact words to Ovenpaa last night, that I would not be surprised to hear a retirement over this.

Colin Edwards (whom I absolutely think is awesome as a rider and person) because it was his bike that hit first and Valentino Rossi (bestest ever) because it was his very good friend.

I am crossing my fingers for no retirement to be announced.