2011 R17 Sepang Race Topic ** Spoilers**

[ReverseShift]

R.I.P.

[sir_nj]

thankyou super sic, you were larger than life and loving what you did.

god speed mate

[skid11]

Just gutted.
RIP 58..you made Silverstone for me this year

[Oscar]

R.I.P.

It would be a fitting tribute to Simoncelli if followers of the sport will pause to remember the risks these guys take and knock off the sometimes derisive comments when riders express concerns about rider safety. While this was in every way a totally unavoidable accident and there can be no finger of culpability pointed at anybody, I'd like to hope that Simoncelli's legacy will be a heightened level of respect for the situation in which the riders willingly place themselves. He deserves no less than to be remembered as a warrior, fallen amongst warriors in a battle that is staged for our enjoyment.

[SP_won]

A tragic loss. Condolences to family, friends and crew of Marco.
R.I.P. #58

[carty]

R.I.P Marco

#58

[RatsMC]

While we are all sorting out our thoughts and feelings regarding what has happened, I'd like to ask everyone to respect the fact that people are all going to respond differently and in their own way to these events. This is likely to display itself in what you may consider course or inappropriate comments. Please keep in mind that everyone who participates here does so because they care deeply about the sport and the riders. Please try to maintain some level of understanding of that fact when considering their comments.

The measure of a community is how it responds when things are at their worst.

[Oscar]

When you look at this picture, it's so easy to realise that it could have been even worse than it is:

http://images.smh.com.au/2011/10/24/2725483/marco300-300x340.jpg

[WayneG]

With all due respect Oscar, I don't want to look at that picture just yet.

[Tourn46]

I'm really confused by your post Oscar.

I'm sure I am reading the meaning of it incorrectly, but how could it have been worse?

[phil]

With all due respect Oscar, I don't want to look at that picture just yet.

+1

[DJH]

I'm really confused by your post Oscar.

I'm sure I am reading the meaning of it incorrectly, but how could it have been worse?

Edwards could have been more seriously injured as well. He is a very lucky man indeed.

[DJH]

With all due respect Oscar, I don't want to look at that picture just yet.

Lucky you didn't see the Mail Online report in that case.

Pretty full on reporting. Definitely struck a chord.

[Tourn46]

Edwards could have been more seriously injured as well. He is a very lucky man indeed.

For sure. I feel so bad for Edwards though, he didn't look in pain from his shoulder at the side of the track

Lucky you didn't see the Mail Online report in that case.

I saw that Mail Online report... it's a disgrace.

[Nachlauf]

This is so sad. I can't even imagine how terrible his family and friends must feel. My condolences to them...

[Oscar]

I'm really confused by your post Oscar.

I'm sure I am reading the meaning of it incorrectly, but how could it have been worse?

Edwards could have been more seriously injured as well. He is a very lucky man indeed.

Yes, that is exactly what I meant.

[WayneG]

Lucky you didn't see the Mail Online report in that case.
Pretty full on reporting. Definitely struck a chord.

I heard talk of it on twitter and felt no compulsion to have a look.
In general I think the Dorna telecast was handled well under the circumstances. Props to Gavin Emmett / Nick Harris for remaining calm and professional when I have no doubt that they would have been feeling all the same emotions that we all were. The only sour point for me was the showing of a "highlights package" which culminated with footage of the crash. There was no race and I found the package unneccessary and inappropriate.

Oscar / mods thanks for switching the image to a link, I think it is more appropriate at the moment.

[Japhrodisiac]

I've been in a daze for most of the day, I feel just sick about this and it's hard to explain to friends and family how connected you get to someone who shares that special passion we all have here, to motorcycling, and road racing in particular. Many of us here have raced or been involved in racing circles for a long time, and thus the connection we have is somehow closer. This sort of thing never gets easier.

I've been especially impressed with Marco from midseason onwards, he has matured as a rider and person in a very short time, all whilst keeping the passion, energy and aggression to run at the front. He was also one of the great characters that we have seen come out of this sport for a long time. Best wishes to Marco's family and the whole MotoGp family at this time.

I hope that it's not inappropriate to mention this at this time, but I've been thinking about the fact that his helmet came off for a while. I re-watched the video a few times looking for something that might explain this. There is a short section of video starting at 25:34 which shows a cornerworker carrying Marco's helmet, and it appears that the clasp is still done up, but the chin strap has detached from one of the side mountings. I don't know what to make of that. I suppose we'll hear more in the coming days.

RIP Simo

[yzr750]

RIP,
A sad loss, he will be missed.

[yzr750]

I hope that it's not inappropriate to mention this at this time, but I've been thinking about the fact that his helmet came off for a while. I re-watched the video a few times looking for something that might explain this. There is a short section of video starting at 25:34 which shows a cornerworker carrying Marco's helmet, and it appears that the clasp is still done up, but the chin strap has detached from one of the side mountings. I don't know what to make of that. I suppose we'll hear more in the coming days.

RIP Simo

I don't think it is inappropriate, it is only natural to question the whys and wherefores when such a tragedy occurs.
My wife and I where discussing his helmet before the race, she was asking how he got his helmet to fit properly with all that hair, as when she used to ride pillion back in the 80's(big hair) once the helmet had been on for a while, her hair would compress, and the helmet would end up too loose to be safe.

[Zaphod]

RIP Marco.......... truly a sad day.

I saw it happen, stood up and left the room. I have avoided any replays.......who needs to see that once, let alone more than once.

Condolences to Marco's family, friends and team.

Also to Vale and Colin.............what a terrible thing to be ( unwillingly, and unavoidably) part of.

[DJH]

I saw it happen

The image from the helicopter soon after was enough for me. There was so much wrong with the image I wouldn't know where to start (I'm not criticising the coverage, only that the image itself was tough to accept and process).

I really didn't need the slow motion videos and now the reverse angle shots showing the moment of impact.. but I guess that's my own silly fault for clicking the links.

F***ing tragedy.

[Rusty Bucket USA]

I hope that it's not inappropriate to mention this at this time, but I've been thinking about the fact that his helmet came off for a while. I re-watched the video a few times looking for something that might explain this. There is a short section of video starting at 25:34 which shows a cornerworker carrying Marco's helmet, and it appears that the clasp is still done up, but the chin strap has detached from one of the side mountings. I don't know what to make of that. I suppose we'll hear more in the coming days.

RIP Simo

I don't think it is inappropriate, it is only natural to question the whys and wherefores when such a tragedy occurs.
My wife and I where discussing his helmet before the race, she was asking how he got his helmet to fit properly with all that hair, as when she used to ride pillion back in the 80's(big hair) once the helmet had been on for a while, her hair would compress, and the helmet would end up too loose to be safe.

This is exactly where the emphasis my "investigation" has been.

We should probably wait until Paul Butler decides to share details of their investigation, but I thought I saw the opposite detail as Japhro; I thought I could see a strap on each side of the helmet, still. I do not have a hi-def image, and I clearly was not there, so I do not know what the reality was.

[Rusty Bucket USA]

I'm really confused by your post Oscar.

I'm sure I am reading the meaning of it incorrectly, but how could it have been worse?

Edwards could have been more seriously injured as well. He is a very lucky man indeed.

Yes, that is exactly what I meant.

This is also true. It is a small point, all things considered, but Edwards was hit in the face (front of the helmet) by the nose of the #58 bike as he was landing from the flip. The "camel hump" may have saved his neck from a much more severe injury. After that, he landed squarely on his lower back in a way that could have been severe, as well.

[yzr750]

I hope that it's not inappropriate to mention this at this time, but I've been thinking about the fact that his helmet came off for a while. I re-watched the video a few times looking for something that might explain this. There is a short section of video starting at 25:34 which shows a cornerworker carrying Marco's helmet, and it appears that the clasp is still done up, but the chin strap has detached from one of the side mountings. I don't know what to make of that. I suppose we'll hear more in the coming days.

RIP Simo

I don't think it is inappropriate, it is only natural to question the whys and wherefores when such a tragedy occurs.
My wife and I where discussing his helmet before the race, she was asking how he got his helmet to fit properly with all that hair, as when she used to ride pillion back in the 80's(big hair) once the helmet had been on for a while, her hair would compress, and the helmet would end up too loose to be safe.

This is exactly where the emphasis my "investigation" has been.

We should probably wait until Paul Butler decides to share details of their investigation, but I thought I saw the opposite detail as Japhro; I thought I could see a strap on each side of the helmet, still. I do not have a hi-def image, and I clearly was not there, so I do not know what the reality was.

If there is any possibility of anything positive coming from this, hopefully some data can come from the footage that will improve helmet design for future generations.