MC racer killed at VIR by a 12 year old on a 250 doing 80mph?
#1
08-07-2010, 06:05 PM
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Danville Va, Providence NC
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MC racer killed at VIR by a 12 year old on a 250 doing 80mph?
I am all for teaching youth to ride. But a 12 year old , on a 250 cc bike, in a race on a road course at speeds from 60 to 80mph? No phucking way! I started riding back in 77 or 78, at about age 6, but the bikes I rode were always properly sized for me. A road course at that speeds?
A North Carolina mad died today following a chain-reaction crash during the WERA Cycle Jam motorcycle race at Virginia International Raceway, according to a Virginia State Police news release.
Robert C. Gette, 38, of Charlotte, N.C., operator of a Suzuki sv650, died at the scene.
When Gette swerved to avoid a Yamaha 250 that lost control and overturned onto the track coming into Turn 14 at about 1:30 p.m., he lost control and overturned as well, according to the release.
As Gette was getting back onto his feet, he was struck by a Moriwaki 250, which was unable to avoid the downed motorcycle and its rider.
The Yamaha was operated by James Bonner of Coopersburg, Pa. Bonner was transported by ambulance to Danville Regional Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
The Moriwaki was operated by a 12-year-old boy from Sutton, Wv.Moriwaki was flown to Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina for treatment of serious injuries, the release stated.
All racers were wearing helmets and full race gear. Motorcycles in the race typically reach speeds between 60 and 80 mph.
No charges will be filed. Senior Trooper T.C. Comer investigated the crash.
WERA Motorcycle Roadracing Inc wrote an online tribute to Gette at maps.wera.com. The online comment stated the other two riders are expected to recover from their injuries.
“Condolences go to Rob’s family and friends – he will be missed by his WERA family – Godspeed Rob,” WERA stated on its website.
Robert C. Gette, 38, of Charlotte, N.C., operator of a Suzuki sv650, died at the scene.
When Gette swerved to avoid a Yamaha 250 that lost control and overturned onto the track coming into Turn 14 at about 1:30 p.m., he lost control and overturned as well, according to the release.
As Gette was getting back onto his feet, he was struck by a Moriwaki 250, which was unable to avoid the downed motorcycle and its rider.
The Yamaha was operated by James Bonner of Coopersburg, Pa. Bonner was transported by ambulance to Danville Regional Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
The Moriwaki was operated by a 12-year-old boy from Sutton, Wv.Moriwaki was flown to Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina for treatment of serious injuries, the release stated.
All racers were wearing helmets and full race gear. Motorcycles in the race typically reach speeds between 60 and 80 mph.
No charges will be filed. Senior Trooper T.C. Comer investigated the crash.
WERA Motorcycle Roadracing Inc wrote an online tribute to Gette at maps.wera.com. The online comment stated the other two riders are expected to recover from their injuries.
“Condolences go to Rob’s family and friends – he will be missed by his WERA family – Godspeed Rob,” WERA stated on its website.
Last edited by RandyDowdy; 08-08-2010 at 12:30 AM.
#3
08-07-2010, 07:27 PM
I knew Rob personally for many years... this is a tragic loss. My thoughts go out to his parents, sister, wife and son. All your friends from New York wish you a happy eternal rest... RIP Rob, you'll forever be missed.
#4
08-07-2010, 07:33 PM
I am all for teaching youth to ride. But a 12 year old , on a 250 cc bike, in a race on a road course at speeds from 60 to 80mph? No phucking way! I started riding back in 77 or 78, at about age 6, but the bikes I rode were always properly sized for me. A road course at that speeds?
A North Carolina mad died today following a chain-reaction crash during the WERA Cycle Jam motorcycle race at Virginia International Raceway, according to a Virginia State Police news release.
Robert C. Gette, 38, of Charlotte, N.C., operator of a Suzuki sv650, died at the scene.
When Gette swerved to avoid a Yamaha 250 that lost control and overturned onto the track coming into Turn 14 at about 1:30 p.m., he lost control and overturned as well, according to the release.
As Gette was getting back onto his feet, he was struck by a Moriwaki 250, which was unable to avoid the downed motorcycle and its rider.
The Yamaha was operated by James Bonner of Coopersburg, Pa. Bonner was transported by ambulance to Danville Regional Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
The Moriwaki was operated by a 12-year-old boy from Sutton, Wv.Moriwaki was flown to Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina for treatment of serious injuries, the release stated.
All racers were wearing helmets and full race gear. Motorcycles in the race typically reach speeds between 60 and 80 mph.
No charges will be filed. Senior Trooper T.C. Comer investigated the crash.
WERA Motorcycle Roadracing Inc wrote an online tribute to Gette at maps.wera.com. The online comment stated the other two riders are expected to recover from their injuries.
“Condolences go to Rob’s family and friends – he will be missed by his WERA family – Godspeed Rob,” WERA stated on its website.
A North Carolina mad died today following a chain-reaction crash during the WERA Cycle Jam motorcycle race at Virginia International Raceway, according to a Virginia State Police news release.
Robert C. Gette, 38, of Charlotte, N.C., operator of a Suzuki sv650, died at the scene.
When Gette swerved to avoid a Yamaha 250 that lost control and overturned onto the track coming into Turn 14 at about 1:30 p.m., he lost control and overturned as well, according to the release.
As Gette was getting back onto his feet, he was struck by a Moriwaki 250, which was unable to avoid the downed motorcycle and its rider.
The Yamaha was operated by James Bonner of Coopersburg, Pa. Bonner was transported by ambulance to Danville Regional Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
The Moriwaki was operated by a 12-year-old boy from Sutton, Wv.Moriwaki was flown to Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina for treatment of serious injuries, the release stated.
All racers were wearing helmets and full race gear. Motorcycles in the race typically reach speeds between 60 and 80 mph.
No charges will be filed. Senior Trooper T.C. Comer investigated the crash.
WERA Motorcycle Roadracing Inc wrote an online tribute to Gette at maps.wera.com. The online comment stated the other two riders are expected to recover from their injuries.
“Condolences go to Rob’s family and friends – he will be missed by his WERA family – Godspeed Rob,” WERA stated on its website.
Sorry to hear about this accident and my condolences to all involved.
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#8
08-07-2010, 07:44 PM
Here's the WERA age requirements.
5. Any rider under the age of 18 may not compete without the duly notarized consent of parents or legal guardian. The notarized consent will be retained by WERA. In addition, each rider under the age of 18 must have on file with WERA a minor release form which can be obtained from WERA. Some facilities may require this form every weekend, the forms will be available at registration. Rider 8 years old may ride in practice onlywith the mini's. Riders 9 years old are limited to 50cc & 80cc classes. Riders 10 years old are restricted to the 125cc GP class. Riders 12 & 13 years old are restricted to 650cc LW Twins machines. Riders 14 & 15 years old are limited to “C” class machinery. Riders 16 and older are allowed to run any WERA legal machinery. These limits may be changed at WERA’s discretion on a case by case basis.
5. Any rider under the age of 18 may not compete without the duly notarized consent of parents or legal guardian. The notarized consent will be retained by WERA. In addition, each rider under the age of 18 must have on file with WERA a minor release form which can be obtained from WERA. Some facilities may require this form every weekend, the forms will be available at registration. Rider 8 years old may ride in practice onlywith the mini's. Riders 9 years old are limited to 50cc & 80cc classes. Riders 10 years old are restricted to the 125cc GP class. Riders 12 & 13 years old are restricted to 650cc LW Twins machines. Riders 14 & 15 years old are limited to “C” class machinery. Riders 16 and older are allowed to run any WERA legal machinery. These limits may be changed at WERA’s discretion on a case by case basis.
#9
08-07-2010, 07:52 PM
That kid has NO BUSINESS being on that track with grown men. He did not and does not have the experience needed as a rider. Shame on VIR and the kids parents for allowing him to race with people twice his age. Open Track Day or not, there has to be restrictions to avoid injury and death! If that kid couldn't avoid Rob, he should have put his bike into a controlled drop to avoid killing someone... If Rob was already getting to his feet, that kid should have seen this entire crash unfold and avoided the entire situation... but he probably doesn't know how, and now my friend is dead... I am absolutly livid to hear how he died. If it was of his own accord, so be it. To know he was struck and killed by a child, infuriates me.
#10
08-07-2010, 08:42 PM
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Just to play the devil's advocate, Rob was older and more experienced. He has to take partial responsibility for the acident. He should have known better. Getting on a closed course with a 12 year old? How stupid was that?