Motorcycle Accident at VIR-One killed

[VatorMan]

HALIFAX COUNTY, Va. —
A man was killed Saturday at the Virginia International Raceway in Halifax County.

VIR is east of Danville on Route 58. Robert Gette died at the track following a crash during a motorcycle race.

Gette, 38, was trying to avoid a crash in front of him. He lost control of his bike and overturned. As he was getting up, another racer hit him. The accident happened around 1:30 p.m.

A 12-year-old was driving the motorycle that hit Gette. He has been taken to Duke. State Police say his injuries are serious.

Motorcycles in these type of races reach speeds of 60 to 80 mph.

Gette was from Charlotte, NC.

I'm sad for the victim. However, on another forum there is an argument about having a 12 YO on the track with adults. I take the position that it is skill level and confidence. What say you ?


Here is the track layout-it happened at turn 14-right before Oak Tree.

[derf]

First off Holy Fuck!

What org did this happen with?

A 12 year old is ok IF he is mature enough to responsibly handle the bike, most that ride the track are, at least while they are on track. I took issue with a small kid earlier this year that was great on track, rode like a champ, but off track he was rolling around the paddock with his dirt bike almost hitting people and cars. I woulda kicked him off if I was the guys running the track just for hooning in the paddock.

[Papa_Complex]

Some of the most talented riders I've known, have been 16 or younger. Having gotten to know PJ Jacobsen, when he started roadracing at age 13, it's obvious to me that talent and age aren't synonymous.

I've only seen sketchy reports, but it sounds like anyone could have hit Gette in that situation. It just happened to be a 12 year old who did. The kid wasn't the cause of the initial incident that caused the situation.

I've been at the track for 2 deaths and this, unfortunately, falls under the heading of "racing incident."

The instructor at Cornerspeed Rider Schools seems to agre with you: http://www.wset.com/Global/story.asp?S=12951039

[derf]

Originally Posted by Papa_Complex

The instructor at Cornerspeed Rider Schools seems to agre with you: http://www.wset.com/Global/story.asp?S=12951039

The rules for commenting on that website say alot

Terms of Use: We welcome your participation in our community. Please keep your comments civil and on point. You must be at least 13 years of age to post comments. By submitting a comment, you agree to these Terms of Service

[Papa_Complex]

..... and...?

[TYEster]

I know a 13yo who's on his way to the Redbull Rookie Cup.

While off the track his maturity level is that of where you'd expect it, when comes down to the brass tax of riding, being around bikes/vehicles and on the track, he's more responsible/skilled/confident than some of the OLDEST people I know.

I also don't see why there's any debate about a kid being out there either. From the sounds of things if a 12yo and an adult are racing at a speed nearing 60-80, it doesn't sound like it's the supersport/bike/heavy twin/unlimited/etc class. Thus leaving me to believe it's a smaller class and the kid has every right to be out there. Kids have to start somewhere?

[Papa_Complex]

Sounds like Middleweight Twins racing. The guy who died was on a SV650.

[TYEster]

Originally Posted by Papa_Complex

Sounds like Middleweight Twins racing. The guy who died was on a SV650.

Ultimately when anyone steps onto a track to ride, it's a closed course environment, which means no laws, except for the track rules, to break. The liability is great, and if you go out and ride, you accept that.

Kid or not, it could have just as well been a grown man or woman that hit him having the same result. Sucks to be the kid though, I hope it doesn't stop them from riding.

[azoomm]

Originally Posted by Papa_Complex

Sounds like Middleweight Twins racing. The guy who died was on a SV650.

Or, it was a mixed class race - 12-year-olds aren't allowed on bikes that large.

My heart goes out to all those involved. I can't imagine what the kid is going through. Tye, I instantly thought of Brandon and what he would do in this situation. Ugh, suck.

All the horrible scenarios aside, I completely support kids racing.

[Particle Man]

There are several details that have been left out:

- How much time did the 12 year old have to react?
- Did the kid try to avoid the downed rider he eventually hit?
- Did he make any errors that were directly the result of age vs rider experience?
- Did the down rider that got hit look around before trying to get up? Did he step into the path of the 12 year old?

There are several others but these are the ones I could think of right off the top of my head and, incidentally, these are the same questions I'd ask if the 12 year old was an "adult" rider anyhow