The Santa Rosa mile 2 unfortunate fatalities

[oldbike54]

 The Santa Rosa mile is on Fan's Choice today . Heat racing now , the Indian is looking good with Joe Kopp on board .

 Dusty

[oldbike54]

 Shayna finally makes a main , ran second to her brother in her semi . She won't run up front in the main , but at least she is in . Go Shayna 

 Dusty

[Guzzistajohn]

Yep that injun is lookin' pretty hot. Joe kopp's no slouch either

[oldbike54]

 Here we go !

 Dusty

[oldbike54]

 



                                                         Wholey Schmidt !

 If you weren't watching shame on you .

 Dusty

[LowRyter]

Baker

[Bonafide Bob]

Great race.
Bob

[LowRyter]

that was a photo I took in Daytona.
what a race for 2nd.

[Guzzistajohn]

Exciting end to the 2016 season. It's been a good one

[oldbike54]

that was a photo I took in Daytona.
what a race for 2nd.

 Yep , and for the title . Congratulations ... Don't want to give it away yet ... Oh hell , way to go
Bryan , what a gutsy move on the inside 

 Dusty

 

[Pisano]

Great racing today. Love Fanschoicetv.  I could listen all day long to Chris Carr talkin about the sun beatin down on the track.

[oldbike54]

Great racing today. Love Fanschoicetv.  I could listen all day long to Chris Carr talkin about the sun beatin down on the track.

 Yes , getting Carr was a stroke of genius . Fan's choice does the best job of broadcasting motorcycle racing I have ever seen, even if at times there is a bit of a fan boy aspect . Of course considering that CC has been maybe the most ardent supporter of flat track , that is to be expected .

 Dusty

[Daniel Kalal]

I was there...

- The new Indian is for real.  Joe won the dash, and looked good throughout.
- Smith won his championship--well earned.  Mees was right there with him, though.
- Baker didn't break; therefore he won.
- Very good turn-out of fans
- fair food at the grandstands
- nice to have pavement in the paddock
- pre-race track preparation was non-existent (or perhaps simply incompetent)
- by the time of the final race, the track was lumpy and dusty.  The entrance to turn one had some especially bad (hidden) areas that had some riders with both wheels off the ground (not a good way to enter a turn)
- Track prep has got to be a priority next year; there have been some seriously poor tracks this year
- the GNC2 riders had three very bad crashes--one death; one in surgery.
- Yes; a rider died today.
- I'll repeat that track prep needs to have the highest priority next year.

[oldbike54]

 Sad news indeed Deke , I missed the very beginning of the GNC 2 race , so missed the crash . What is the rider's name ?

 I didn't voice my concerns at the OKC mile , but was concerned for the riders due to how rough the track was . Of course by its very nature , motorcycle racing is dangerous , although none of us like to see a racer die .

 Dusty

[Daniel Kalal]

What is the rider's name ?

Charlotte Kainz (age 20).

A rough track is not some sort of great equalizer (like rain on a road course,  for instance).  It's unpredictable and therefore dangerous by its very unpredictability.  Track preparation varies from track to track, and there seems to be little discussion on what works an what doesn't.  What's common at the bad ones is the noticeable lack of equipment and the time dedicated to getting it right.  One tractor pulling a fence around isn't going to make much difference except to make the dirt look pretty.

[oldbike54]

 Oh no , she had a bright future   At the risk of sounding chauvinistic , I worry more about the girls than the guys . Love seeing the ladies compete , am a big fan of Shana Texter , but seeing these girls race in such a rough and tumble sport always makes me a bit uneasy . RIP Charlotte .

 Dusty

 Damnit damnit damnit !

[Sasquatch Jim]

 It must be admitted that one mile flat track dirt racing is possibly the most dangerous of motorcycle races to be ridden.
 even when the track is well groomed.. Extreme high speeds and a lack of solid traction make it a life threatening risk at best.  Old masters like Resweber and Markle in the sixties set the bar very high indeed and in a day when brakes were not permitted.  Bugsey Mann lost his skid shoe in one flat track race and continued to powerslide the corners with feet up on the pegs.  However more riders died in those days due to the less effective protective gear.  I used to call it bone and guts racing,  the machines were bare bones racers and it took guts to compete successfully, not to mention a skill that bordered on magic.

[oldbike54]

 Jim , it is magic . Most of my heroes are , and have been , motorcycle racers , especially the flat trackers . Like the guys that race in the Irish Road Racing series at places like Cookstown , the Ulster, and the IOM , flat track racers aren't doing it for a big check or fame , rather for the love of a sport that is both exhilarating and incredibly dangerous.

 Dusty

[Guzzistajohn]

So sorry to hear about Charlotte, sad end to the year.

[LowRyter]

I had no idea there was a fatality.  I tuned in late.

So sad.

RIP

[Guzzistajohn]

Rest in peace Char. Prayers for your family

[oldbike54]

Rest in peace Char. Prayers for your family

I had no idea there was a fatality.  I tuned in late.

So sad.

RIP

 Lost the feed right after the GNC 1 main , as far as I know there was no mention during the broadcast . Not even sure they knew . Might be time for the riders to band together and demand better track preparation . Kenny Roberts sort of headed the movement during his days , became kind of a thorn in the side of the AMA , and later the FIM by refusing to race at the IOM circuit . Others followed , was the reason why the Island lost its FIM status . Time will tell . I've been told there is a major uproar on the Flat Track Facebook page blaming Charlotte's death on bad track prep , as mentioned earlier by Deke .

 Any news on the condition of the other rider that required surgery ?

 

Rest in peace Char. Prayers for your family

 Thanks for the pics John , I forget which race she finished on the podium , she seemed so genuinely happy to have a good result , big smile .

 Dusty

[Pisano]

So sad.  RIP Charlotte.

I hope that safety improves and become a standard from one event to the next.  I support David Loyd's vision ultimately leading to improved facility condition and track preparation :

http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/race-team-owner-david-lloyd-shares-his-thoughts-on-the-current-state-of-ama-pro-flat-track-racing/

[Daniel Kalal]

I support David Loyd's vision ultimately leading to improved facility condition and track preparation...

David (of LBM, the team I support in a small way) has always been clear with his riders that they should refuse to race if the conditions are unsafe; there is no pressure from the team for the rider to be out there when they are not comfortable.  I've seen riders not go out on the track.

But, these riders are not like the rest of us; their threshold of alarm (and skill) is off the charts.  They want to race, and they'll be out there when you and I wouldn't dream of it.  That's why it's important for the promoters and sanctioning organization to take the lead and at the very minimum provide a good race track.

[Guzzistajohn]

Sad to say, it looks like two young racers have parished after the Santa Rosa mile. Rest in peace Kyle McGrane. Such sad news.

[twowings]

http://www.motorcycle.com/features/pro-flat-track-racer-charlotte-kainz-dies-in-santa-rosa-crash.html

[Sasquatch Jim]

 I don't think she died alone.  I heard that the other rider also died.
I haven't been able to find details though.

[Arizona Wayne]

Sad but she died doing something she loved to do.  These racers know there is danger.  I once amateur road raced in my 20s.

[oldbike54]

 Both fatalities already covered here . Sad weekend indeed 

  Dusty

[Guzzistajohn]

Both fatalities already covered here . Sad weekend indeed 

  Dusty

Borrowed from Shayna Texters fb page, two good looking talented kids