It’s become a sadly familiar theme in this column
Published: 10th August 2007
Author: Sean Lawless
but there’s no getting away from it – and you see the signs at every event you attend – motorsport is dangerous and every now and again people get badly hurt.
The other day when I was cruising the internet MX forums (if my boss asks purely in the interests of research) I came across an interesting thread. In among the standard dumbass posts about getting tattoos and what blinging boots to buy there was a thought-provoking question asking whether advances in safety equipment have resulted in riders being more complacent and taking bigger risks.
There do seem to be more people hurting themselves these days and, tragically, among the broken collarbones and legs there seem to be more cases of serious spinal injuries. There’s a good argument that modern tracks – made possible by technical advances in engine development and suspension – are calling for more advanced skills, skills that not everyone’s got. In other words the bikes out-perform their pilots. To counter this there’s also an argument that says that riders aren’t actually getting hurt more often but modern technology’s capacity to deliver instant information means when someone does have a big crash everyone knows about it even before the yellow flags have gone out.
The theory that modern safety equipment gives riders a false sense of security is I reckon a pretty valid one. Old school basics like boots, goggles, gloves and a lid are essential in speed events but in recent times they’ve been joined by knee braces and now – thanks mainly to Dr Chris Leatt – neck braces which have become the latest must-have item. Certainly now, whenever a rider wearing a neck brace has a big crash, they’re always quick to say it saved them from serious injury – and that’s something that simply cannot be proved. The thing is, whether or not increased protection is leading riders to take more risks, if there are products on the market that can help minimise injuries then – if you can afford them – you’d be foolish not to use them. And that’s from club wobblers up to full-on professionals.
Of course, it’s a slightly different scenario for professional racers. They’re paid to hang it out on the track and injuries for them are part and parcel of a day at the office. In recent years there have been some high-profile riders whose careers have ended in wheelchairs – GP rider Pit Beirer is one name that springs to mind, as does that of AMA star Ernesto Fonseca.
Last month Ernesto joined up with another rider who was cut down in his prime – ’80s legend David Bailey – to host a seminar on stem cell research at the University of California (see story on page nine). The sight of two men who were supreme athletes confined to wheelchairs is a truly sobering one but the over-riding message from the seminar is one of hope and that’s something we must all be thankful for…
Okay, that’s enough seriousness for one month so let’s paddle into more shallow waters where the mouth-watering prospect of two GPs in Britain in the space of a week awaits us. First up we’ve got Moneyglass Demesne in Northern Ireland on August 18/19 followed hot on its heels by Donington Park on August 25/26. Both events are on brand-new built-for-the-occasion tracks and both have been strangely low-key in terms of pre-race publicity, leading to the inevitable ‘will they, won’t they’ standard cyberspace speculation that’s usually reserved for the latest Z-list celebrity couple and helps keep the message boards buzzing amid claim and counter claim.
Well they’re both happening and both could see a 2007 world champion crowned so get your arses into gear, check out our preview starting on page 30, book your tickets and make sure you don’t miss out on a slice of MX history!
Speaking of champions being crowned, this month’s comment wouldn’t be complete without mention of Britain’s latest world-beater. While Billy Mac’s won a GP this year, Swordy’s right back on it, Tommy Searle continues to fulfil his potential and Knighter looks set for US GNCC gold, our only off-road world champion in ’07 is Michael Brown. The Beta ace clinched the trials Junior World Cup at Hawkstone Park’s WTC with a display of brilliance that underlined his dominance of this year’s series.
Top work young lycra-wearing fella!