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.

http://www.na-motorsports.com/Tracks/VA/images/vir.gif

[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]

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
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[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]

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.

[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 :shrug:

[OneSickPsycho]

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 :shrug:

That pretty much sums it up... Unfortunately when people get hurt or die, all logic and reason seems to go out the window for most people.

[Clay]

I know that 12yo kid... Ian. I know him and his father as Ian raced with Caleb all of last year. I believe this would be Ian's 3rd year racing. He's no slouch. He was running at the front of the time sheets in the F2 class on what, I assume, is a 125. He got a brand spankin' new 125 last year. I watched him progress from a kid that I was scared to watch, to a kid that was spanking most of his competition. I pray for him as much as I do the family of the man lost. This could damage him for life. I've been told it was no ones fault so I'll go with that. Racing is racing and it's not without dangers.

And speeds at VIR in the LW class reach around the 130mph mark... not 60 to 80. I also wonder about that track map...I've never seen so many turns added that aren't really turns. 14 has always been at the bottom of the hill for me. I wasn't there though, so don't really know where it happened.

[azoomm]

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.

[Papa_Complex]

That's possible. Our regional series permitted 650 twins in the 250GP class, for a couple of years, which turned out to be dangerous and a HUGE mistake.

[azoomm]

That's possible. Our regional series permitted 650 twins in the 250GP class, for a couple of years, which turned out to be dangerous and a HUGE mistake.

It happens a lot. So, rather than question the decision making and abilities of the 12-year-old - how about question why there are SV650's and 125's in the same race??

[shmike]

It happens a lot. So, rather than question the decision making and abilities of the 12-year-old - how about question why there are SV650's and 125's in the same race??


Because they turn about the same lap times. :idk:

Also because there are usually relatively few of each.

[azoomm]

Because they turn about the same lap times. :idk:

Also because there are usually relatively few of each.

few sv650's?

[z06boy]

Tough situation. Sucks for the guy that died and his family/friends. Sucks for the 12 y.o. now having to go through life knowing what he did.

[shmike]

few sv650's?

Yes.

And fewer 2-smokes.

I know some organizations have more LWT than others but the grid for a typical LW race is far smaller than a MW or HW grid.

When's the last time you saw a LW grid 60 bikes deep?

[Mudpuppy]

Wow that sucks.. RIP Gette

Another thing not mentioned is the specifics of "he got hit as he was trying to get up".. Not sure what that exactly means - did he stand up and attempt to get off the track the wrong way, i.e. into the race line? i have seen tons of people do that.. they crash and then all common sense, reasoning and anything discussed at the rider's meeting go out the window.. there is a reason they tell you what to do in the event of the crash and to follow the corner worker's instructions, etc.

[Clay]

A 125 with a fast kid will turn faster lap times than the fastest SVs. I watched my son out pull many SVs last year. They're fine in the same class. How about people stop looking for blame and simply see it as it is... a racing incident.

And btw, this was a 3-rider incident. Not 2.

[CrazyKell]

It could've been anyone that hit him and I think that age is not commensurate with experience in cases like this.

I have less than a year on the track and I'm 34. :shrug:

Obviously a terrible incident for all involved and my heart goes out to everyone in this scenario.

There are a few kids at the track I usually go to and they are all great. Off the track, they're typical kids. On the track....they kick a lot of people's butts!

[wildchild]

so a 58 year old tries to avoid a wreck and crashes himself, then while getting up he gets hit by a 12 yr old. what's the issue with the 12 yr old on the track? I wonder if the 12 yr old had been in front of the 58 would the old dude be dead? 12er prolly would have had the reaction time to avoid the wreck (yes I'm assuming) and then the 58er could have crashed himself (as he did) and hopefully gotten up and walked off without crashing anyone else.

I'm getting up there in the years and my only question in this one would be should a 58 year old man be out there. when you go to bike races it's not old guys sitting around those fancy race bikes. it's 16- 20 yr olds usually.

[shmike]

so a 58 year old tries to avoid a wreck and crashes himself, then while getting up he gets hit by a 12 yr old. what's the issue with the 12 yr old on the track? I wonder if the 12 yr old had been in front of the 58 would the old dude be dead? 12er prolly would have had the reaction time to avoid the wreck (yes I'm assuming) and then the 58er could have crashed himself (as he did) and hopefully gotten up and walked off without crashing anyone else.

I'm getting up there in the years and my only question in this one would be should a 58 year old man be out there. when you go to bike races it's not old guys sitting around those fancy race bikes. it's 16- 20 yr olds usually.

Very valid points.

I hope the kid is able to get through this ok.

[CrazyKell]

so a 58 year old tries to avoid a wreck and crashes himself, then while getting up he gets hit by a 12 yr old. what's the issue with the 12 yr old on the track? I wonder if the 12 yr old had been in front of the 58 would the old dude be dead? 12er prolly would have had the reaction time to avoid the wreck (yes I'm assuming) and then the 58er could have crashed himself (as he did) and hopefully gotten up and walked off without crashing anyone else.

I'm getting up there in the years and my only question in this one would be should a 58 year old man be out there. when you go to bike races it's not old guys sitting around those fancy race bikes. it's 16- 20 yr olds usually.


Gette was 38 not 58.

I've seen people in their 70's on the track. Mind you that's a track and not a race situation.

I hope to be still out there.

And there aren't that many old guys (though they're still out there) because they end up persuing other things like kids and a family. Few have the financial inclination to carry on racing for a long time. It's not exactly cheap when you're a privateer.

[VatorMan]

That turn is right before oak tree. Usually a point that a large group can gather because of someone slow in front with a bunch of fast rider/drivers behind jockeying for position. Case in point-this is corner 14. See how we are all bunched together. NO it wasn't me being the slow azz.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/vatorman/Car/ncmjune-05482.jpg

[z06boy]

Gette was 38 not 58.

I've seen people in their 70's on the track. Mind you that's a track and not a race situation.

I hope to be still out there.

And there aren't that many old guys (though they're still out there) because they end up persuing other things like kids and a family. Few have the financial inclination to carry on racing for a long time. It's not exactly cheap when you're a privateer.

Yep he was 38...the track is located off of Hwy 58. :lol:

I agree with the rest too...58 isn't too old...just depends on the individual.

[Clay]

That turn is right before oak tree. Usually a point that a large group can gather because of someone slow in front with a bunch of fast rider/drivers behind jockeying for position. Case in point-this is corner 14. See how we are all bunched together. NO it wasn't me being the slow azz.


That's the full course, not the North. Motorcycles only race (not trackdays, RACE) the North. The oak tree is not a part of the North course. As soon as you go under the bridge you turn right and head up the hill.

[VatorMan]

That's the full course, not the North. Motorcycles only race (not trackdays, RACE) the North. The oak tree is not a part of the North course. As soon as you go under the bridge you turn right and head up the hill.

Oh-Sorry about the confusion then. Can you find the MC course and post up a pic? EDIT; found one

http://www.virnow.com/images/stories/maps/panimetric_both_pages.jpg

[azoomm]

A 125 with a fast kid will turn faster lap times than the fastest SVs. I watched my son out pull many SVs last year. They're fine in the same class. How about people stop looking for blame and simply see it as it is... a racing incident.

And btw, this was a 3-rider incident. Not 2.

I was simply putting an alternate view at it - if they are going to argue about a 12-year-old being able to avoid/decide/whatever why not look at the major differences in machinery. That's all.

:(

I don't think age matters. I think experience matters. This 12-year-old may just have more racing experience than the others on the grid.... I hope he makes it through this incident alright.

[wildchild]

Gette was 38 not 58.

I've seen people in their 70's on the track. Mind you that's a track and not a race situation.

I hope to be still out there.

And there aren't that many old guys (though they're still out there) because they end up persuing other things like kids and a family. Few have the financial inclination to carry on racing for a long time. It's not exactly cheap when you're a privateer.
Told you I was getting up there in years. LOL either way the point of my statement was young guns are the ones we need out there.

I hope to be out tearing shit up when I'm old as well but I don't see why anyone would argue whether the 12er should have been out there if Gette crashed trying to avoid a wreck on his own. had the 12er hit him while riding because of lack of skill then maybe.

[fnfalman]

A lot of those kid track riders are way better than the adults. Age has nothing to do with it, but skills & track experiences are.

Anyway, you pay your money and you take your chances. Riding at breakneck speeds involve risks. Just because you're on the track, it doesn't mean that it's "safe". It may be "safe" from cagers, but it doesn't mean that the ride is "safe".

[tkevcu]

What a horrible scenario. I'm not going to comment about this particular incident, as I don't know enough about it; other than my thoughts go out to all of the people involved in the incident and their families.

But I do think that kids have a place on the track. As long as they have the skills and maturity on the track. I expect that parents who are going to put the time, effort, and money into their child racing, are going to be able to make the determination of what it appropriate for their child.

[lauralynne]

it's not an age issue. Our club has had 2 deaths this year - it's been a truly tragic year.
I would expect that ANYONE on the track regardless of age went through and evaluation of their riding and we're deemed capable of riding/racing on the track.

[Avatard]

Kids die playing football. Swimming in the pool.

What are you gonna do? Keep them home? BAD PLAN.

Most accidents happen IN THE HOME.

Anyone who has a problem with a 12 year old racing, needs to stay well the fuck away from me.